- Joined
- Jul 10, 2011
- Messages
- 2,056
- Reaction score
- 606
- Location
- Germany, Southwest, Black Forest
- My Car
- 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 T5 Q-Code 4-Speed
Hi 71-73-fanatics,
I was lucky to be allowed to inspect at Retro Classics in Stuttgart (a famous car show in Germany for all kinds of old cars) an original pristine 1973 Mach 1 Sportsroof in every detail. He had only 55 tkm on the clock and was down to a documented little repair still in unrestored condition. What a great opportunity! The seller of Belgium was very nice and let me document everything. What I found amazing and comforting at the same time: the original factory setting was amazing sloppy !!!
I had already discovered at my resto at various points that not everything from the plant was taken accurately compared to today's standars of automobile manufacturing. For example, the original valve cover, the vapor canister and also the engine compartment showed some considerable (and not caused by the predecessor) paint defects such as runners and paint noses! At the edge of the upper quarter panel towards the rear window where the trim strip is inserted there is also an odd gap which quite not fit into the line. I was just been annoyed that the predecessor has not worked well on the preparatory work for his painting. How can you be so stupid - I thought ... BUT!
This Mustang at the show had it on both sides! The paint quality varied amazingly over the whole car - high-luster quality is something other ... The worst on the left fender extension - a big bad laquer runner. Runners were also in the original engine compartment and on the valve covers - like on mine!
The sticker of the ignition timing was glued directly onto the lid. I've seen it only once like that - that is a total of 3 locations where it can occur depending. Because of the the mood of the worker or has it changed from time to time by plant? The third location is to the right of the cowls.
Another one remarkable was the original! missing Mustang emblem on the left. The front section of the stripes around the side markers where also of great interest - in the official Mustang brochure of 73 there are 2 different versions - so there is both and both may be true. The antenna calms me - this is as original as mine. I would not have thought there has to be round base because the common variant for the 71-73s is square. Mine is from April like this! Perhaps something special for european mustangs...
What I mean with this post is simple: I do not want to badmouth our big buddies! I LOVE mine and yours too - I love them all with all their special features! I want to achieve just the opposite!
Our current restoration efforts that we (mostly) seek and reach (usually) now are often far exceed from the quality which came directly from the factory in the 70ies! So do not think too much about it when you found something unclear - if in doubt of something it perhaps was original like that indeed. Even if it does not shows on your Marti or anywhere else - the local dealer often spoke a word after delivery too and perhaps played a little around with the screwdriver. A good example is the front or rear spoiler. These are also recorded nowhere, so to speak, but could be installed as a dealer option. This also original!
And if a bad laquer runner happens during your restoration, then hey! Stay cool! Don't cry! This could now be much more original as it was directly from the plant
A good basis for argumentation on car show and all the know-alls out there ...
But now the pictures:
Cheers,
Tim
I was lucky to be allowed to inspect at Retro Classics in Stuttgart (a famous car show in Germany for all kinds of old cars) an original pristine 1973 Mach 1 Sportsroof in every detail. He had only 55 tkm on the clock and was down to a documented little repair still in unrestored condition. What a great opportunity! The seller of Belgium was very nice and let me document everything. What I found amazing and comforting at the same time: the original factory setting was amazing sloppy !!!
I had already discovered at my resto at various points that not everything from the plant was taken accurately compared to today's standars of automobile manufacturing. For example, the original valve cover, the vapor canister and also the engine compartment showed some considerable (and not caused by the predecessor) paint defects such as runners and paint noses! At the edge of the upper quarter panel towards the rear window where the trim strip is inserted there is also an odd gap which quite not fit into the line. I was just been annoyed that the predecessor has not worked well on the preparatory work for his painting. How can you be so stupid - I thought ... BUT!
This Mustang at the show had it on both sides! The paint quality varied amazingly over the whole car - high-luster quality is something other ... The worst on the left fender extension - a big bad laquer runner. Runners were also in the original engine compartment and on the valve covers - like on mine!
The sticker of the ignition timing was glued directly onto the lid. I've seen it only once like that - that is a total of 3 locations where it can occur depending. Because of the the mood of the worker or has it changed from time to time by plant? The third location is to the right of the cowls.
Another one remarkable was the original! missing Mustang emblem on the left. The front section of the stripes around the side markers where also of great interest - in the official Mustang brochure of 73 there are 2 different versions - so there is both and both may be true. The antenna calms me - this is as original as mine. I would not have thought there has to be round base because the common variant for the 71-73s is square. Mine is from April like this! Perhaps something special for european mustangs...
What I mean with this post is simple: I do not want to badmouth our big buddies! I LOVE mine and yours too - I love them all with all their special features! I want to achieve just the opposite!
Our current restoration efforts that we (mostly) seek and reach (usually) now are often far exceed from the quality which came directly from the factory in the 70ies! So do not think too much about it when you found something unclear - if in doubt of something it perhaps was original like that indeed. Even if it does not shows on your Marti or anywhere else - the local dealer often spoke a word after delivery too and perhaps played a little around with the screwdriver. A good example is the front or rear spoiler. These are also recorded nowhere, so to speak, but could be installed as a dealer option. This also original!
And if a bad laquer runner happens during your restoration, then hey! Stay cool! Don't cry! This could now be much more original as it was directly from the plant
A good basis for argumentation on car show and all the know-alls out there ... But now the pictures:
Cheers,
Tim
