71 Mach 1 - H code (South Dakota)

[agraff55]

I have been told I need to start a build thread so I thought I would get one started… My car is a 1971 Mach 1 H code that was purchased in 1973 (for $3000 ) by my dad straight out of high school. It was originally a 351C 4 speed car. The transmission (after multiple clutch replacements) was swapped out for an automatic (FMX) in ‘78 after my parents wedding (mom couldn’t drive a stick). The car was dark green metallic from the factory, but dad repainted it red after the first of many accidents during the. ‘70s.

The car was a regular driver until the mid ‘80s (not exactly a family car) when it was parked. It sat outside until the late ‘90s when I started messing with it when I was in high school. I basically got the car running again (rebuilt engine, trans, etc.) and then went off to college and it sat again in storage for another 20 years. A wife and 4 kids will eat up a lot of free time.

During the pandemic I had some free time and started working on the car in earnest. After a couple years I am well along into the reassembly and hope to be driving this coming summer.

Unfortunately I am missing some pictures from the first stage of disassembly, but I will try my best to go through the project thus far.

 

[c9zx]

Great story! Post pictures if you can. Welcome from Oklahoma. Chuck

 

[tpj71mach]

Awesome history on the car, it's great that it has stayed in the family. Look forward to seeing some pictures.

 

[agraff55]

Here are some pics of the build codes, the car during disassembly, and me trying to teach my son a few things.

 

[agraff55]

Here’s some pics of the major rust damage: both floor pans, engine compartment, cowl.

 

[agraff55]

More rust: radiator support, fender apron, battery tray.

 

[agraff55]

More rust: lower fender, rockers, wheel well, rear quarter

 

[agraff55]

And even more rust: rear seat area, inner fender wells, rear quarter damage, more quarter panel, and tail light panel.

 

[agraff55]

Here’s some pics of the major rust damage: both floor pans, engine compartment, cowl.

Here are the repairs:

 

[agraff55]

More rust: radiator support, fender apron, battery tray.

Repairs:

 

[agraff55]

More rust: lower fender, rockers, wheel well, rear quarter

Repairs:

 

[agraff55]

And even more rust: rear seat area, inner fender wells, rear quarter damage, more quarter panel, and tail light panel.

Repairs:

 

[Sheriff41]

It looks like you're doing a great job on the metal work! That's a big task.

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Definitely a solid plan of attack! Great job.

 

[Billw69]

Nice work! Great pic as well.
Welcome from the Twin Cities!

 

[Ryunker]

I have been told I need to start a build thread so I thought I would get one started… My car is a 1971 Mach 1 H code that was purchased in 1973 (for $3000 ) by my dad straight out of high school. It was originally a 351C 4 speed car. The transmission (after multiple clutch replacements) was swapped out for an automatic (FMX) in ‘78 after my parents wedding (mom couldn’t drive a stick). The car was dark green metallic from the factory, but dad repainted it red after the first of many accidents during the. ‘70s.

The car was a regular driver until the mid ‘80s (not exactly a family car) when it was parked. It sat outside until the late ‘90s when I started messing with it when I was in high school. I basically got the car running again (rebuilt engine, trans, etc.) and then went off to college and it sat again in storage for another 20 years. A wife and 4 kids will eat up a lot of free time.

During the pandemic I had some free time and started working on the car in earnest. After a couple years I am well along into the reassembly and hope to be driving this coming summer.

Unfortunately I am missing some pictures from the first stage of disassembly, but I will try my best to go through the project thus far.

What part of the state are you in?

 

[agraff55]

Southeast part of the state, little town called Montrose about 30 mi west of Sioux Falls.

 

[dawson357]

Wow! When you said you started working on this "in earnest", you weren't kidding. Wish you great success and looking forward to the completion.

 

[agraff55]

After I got all the suspension removed I spent countless hours with a heat gun, putty knife, and wire wheel removing all the old undercoating. Once this was complete and cleaned I treated it all with POR-15 and applied a new layer of undercoating.

 

[agraff55]

I removed the rearend, replaced all the bearings and seals on the axles and 3rd member. Cleaned and some fresh paint.