Finally out of the shipping crate

[D-Maxx]

New user from OR. I have a 72 Q-code Mach 1 I purchased in 1997. I found it in the Nickel Ads (remember those?!) and traveled from Eugene to the waterfront in Portland to purchase it. The guy had multiple 71-73 Mach 1's and I selected a Bright Red in pretty bad shape. I have already owned a 67 coupe and a 68 coupe. This is my first full restoration. I had to move and life got in the way so the car has been sitting patiently waiting since 1997. My son is now 15 and I have the time and money to start on the project. We just pulled it out of a storage container and emptied our garage.

The Mach 1 now sits in the garage and the tear down has begun. When people ask me how much needs to be done on the car, I just smile and say, "Yes". Suffice to say I am very excited and understand this will be a 3-5 year project. I have purchased a couple books on restorations and am mechanically inclined. What I don't know is in what order to proceed. I know there is a process it is easy to get backed into a corner. I have vacuumed it out and bagged/tagged all parts that were lying on the floorboards. I have an iPad and am using Noteshelf and Evernote to document the process in pics and notes so I have before and after photos for every component removed. I also have room in a storage unit for large parts to keep them out of the garage.

Where can I find a comprehensive list of what to do in what order? I am not too far into it yet. I have started to remove the tail lights and rear bumper. That is it so far. Any advice or thread would be helpful. Glad to be here. It has been a long road from buying it to starting the restoration.

 

[jbojo]

Welcome rom TriCities WA. I think that it depends on what and how much you are planning to do. I am not sure that there is a published list to follow but as you start take a lot of notes and pics to remind you where everything goes. Bag and tag all parts. Good luck on the project!!! Post pics when you get a chance.

 

[whitesoc]

Welcome from Ontario Canada.

 

[OLE PONY]

Welcome to the site from Virginia.

I had to put my 73 convertible in storage when my kids were babies, but like you, when my son and stepson turned 15 and 14 we pulled it out and started working on it.

Mine was in running condition but needed the fuel system and hydraulics gone through. We decided to get it running well and on the road and then start on the cosmetics. After a few years we took it off the road and started dismantling. Like you said you are doing keep up with the pictures and labeling. At any rate, I would get the mechanics restored first, then go on to the body work.

 

[D-Maxx]

Welcome rom TriCities WA. I think that it depends on what and how much you are planning to do. I am not sure that there is a published list to follow but as you start take a lot of notes and pics to remind you where everything goes. Bag and tag all parts. Good luck on the project!!! Post pics when you get a chance.

I am not sure there are many reusable components. The interior is shot, floor pans/trunk are swiss cheese and engine/tranny need rebuilt. So, basically, every inch of this car will be replaced or restored. However, the body is actually in decent shape. If I had it to do again, I would have purchased a different project car.

 

[Boss1Ray]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

Ray

 

[D-Maxx]

Welcome to the site from Virginia.

I had to put my 73 convertible in storage when my kids were babies, but like you, when my son and stepson turned 15 and 14 we pulled it out and started working on it.

Mine was in running condition but needed the fuel system and hydraulics gone through. We decided to get it running well and on the road and then start on the cosmetics. After a few years we took it off the road and started dismantling. Like you said you are doing keep up with the pictures and labeling. At any rate, I would get the mechanics restored first, then go on to the body work.

Thank you for the input. Since the floor pans and trunk need to be replaced, the hood, trunk lid, and doors are all coming off. Then all exterior bright work and emblems. Then interior, engine compartment and everything under. Anyhow, that's my vision now but I have 6 months of tear down to do so there is plenty of time to work this out.

 

[droptop73]

Welcome from west Michigan. Best wishes with your project.

 

[71_resurrection]

Nah, you got a good project! You will just appreciate it that much more in the end, at least it's not 15 years ago when nearly nothing was available for 71-73 cars. I always say it doesn't matter where you start on the car, just remember to label every last piece, nut and bolt off of the car and bag all of the hardware. Other than that, tear it apart, the repair and rebuild it, good luck and welcome to the sight!

 

[D-Maxx]

Nah, you got a good project! You will just appreciate it that much more in the end, at least it's not 15 years ago when nearly nothing was available for 71-73 cars. I always say it doesn't matter where you start on the car, just remember to label every last piece, nut and bolt off of the car and bag all of the hardware. Other than that, tear it apart, the repair and rebuild it, good luck and welcome to the sight!

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Fortunately I have mechanical aptitude and patience. I will likely farm out most of the work but may change my mind on that. Don't have to decide anything yet. Just take it apart. One question for you. I have looked through CJ Pony parts and CA Mustang catalogs and noticed that new repro wiring harnesses are plentiful for 1st gen Mustangs but not so much for 71-73's. My harnesses are brittle and need refreshing. Any advice?

 

[71_resurrection]

Yeah there isn't a new harness to my knowledge, only the smaller ones like alternator harness and such are available. There is a harness refurbishing company that advertises on this forum, midlife harness restoration. Haven't used them, but have heard they do excellent work.

http://midlife66.com/harnesses/

 

[Go Time]

welcome from Indiana

 

[73MustangCoupe]

Welcome from western Tennessee! ::welcome::

As far as there being a list of what order to do stuff, I'd say start with the foundation - the frame and sheet metal. I have my next project lined up, and will start by stripping the body, repairing any sheet metal that needs it, and build it from there. If you do a bunch of work in one area, and then have to remove a bunch of it to access areas under it for more reparis, it can get pretty frustrating.

Just my opinion, mind you. Good luck on your project.

 

[ponypastor]

Welcome from FL; One of the vendors (from the Pensacola, FL area) on this site re-furbishes old wiring harnesses. You might inquire about what he could do for yours.

 

[OLE PONY]

Yeah there isn't a new harness to my knowledge, only the smaller ones like alternator harness and such are available. There is a harness refurbishing company that advertises on this forum, midlife harness restoration. Haven't used them, but have heard they do excellent work.

http://midlife66.com/harnesses/

+1 on Midlife. He is an active member here on the forums and usually offers great advice on electrical issues.

 

[caspianwendell]

Welcome from Arkansas

 

[imusa76]

Welcome from Rhode island.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[Jim and Jutta]

... If I had it to do again, I would have purchased a different project car.

LOL, many of us have been there. What I've learned the hard way (and through great advice on this site) is start with the best project you can afford and accept, that even then you'll probably end up having more money into it by the time your done than what it's market value will be (especially if you count your time and headaches). The good thing is you'll be keeping a piece of America history on the road, you'll also be able to take great satisfaction that you did it your way. Other than that, let the fun begin, you've come to the right place for sources of information.

Welcome to the site from Olympia!

Jim

 

[mach71351c]

::welcome:: From San Diego.

As far as the order of the restoration process for the hobbyist. There is no wrong way. In my opinion I would get all the metal work done. It's dirty messy work. It's best to get that behind you. At that point you have the foundation set for the project to move forward in any direction money time and skill will allow.

Congrats you found the wright place for all your 72 Mach 1 needs.