Rear Spoiler opinion, Yes or No?

[Mister 4x4]

Mine was an original no stripe, no spoiler car as well. I'd planned on the full treatment, since it was missing the bright rocker trim on the front fenders (hence the stripes above the rockers), but changed my mind to stick with no stripes or spoilers after having seen just about every '71-'73 Mach 1 with them doing Google image searches whether they came that way or not. Now, I'm too chicken to punch holes in the sheet metal to reinstall the rocker bright trim after having spent so much time getting it back to shiny (my avatar is what I started with). I did throw on some louvers though, to go with the old school Cragars and Lakewood traction bars.

 

[DAverkamp]

Mine was an original no stripe, no spoiler car as well. I'd planned on the full treatment, since it was missing the bright rocker trim on the front fenders (hence the stripes above the rockers), but changed my mind to stick with no stripes or spoilers after having seen just about every '71-'73 Mach 1 with them doing Google image searches whether they came that way or not. Now, I'm too chicken to punch holes in the sheet metal to reinstall the rocker bright trim after having spent so much time getting it back to shiny (my avatar is what I started with). I did throw on some louvers though, to go with the old school Cragars and Lakewood traction bars.

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Yes, she's a beauty the way you dressed her up. What size hoops are you running?

 

[Mister 4x4]

Thanks! They're Cragar S/Ss in 15x8 (Front) with 245-60R15s and 15x10 (Rear) with 295-50R15s (Cooper Cobras).

 

[DAverkamp]

Thanks! They're Cragar S/Ss in 15x8 (Front) with 245-60R15s and 15x10 (Rear) with 295-50R15s (Cooper Cobras).

And no bind on fronts assuming "stock" suspension?

 

[Roland]

like them too on my 72 ragtop

 

[Cleveland Crush]

How about some different angle photos of your unique rear spoiler.

 

[Jcloutier0722]

IMO, they are all sexy and although I'm not a complete purist, I adore the look of how they were born, like hemikillers steelwheel sleeper look, the louver/front/rear spoilers on the M1's, but as for ragtops with the spoiler options I still don't know how I feel. If they came with the spoiler/strip options leave it be. Mine came with conservative side protectors and several guys have asked if I was taking them off. I told them if they volunteered $10k for a paint job, I may consider it but its probably not worth the "side force" go faster aero it provides me, kinda like spoilers and stripes!

The sport stripe was an option across the line $23 in 1972 dollars but I did it due to some minor knicks over the 50 yr life of the paint. "IF" it had the factory bodyside moulding, I wouldn't have the knicks in the paint. Sort of a glass half full situation.

 

[Jcloutier0722]

like them too on my 72 ragtop

Where did you get the antenna delete bezel... That streamline the look and Would be a good choice for me... AM/8 track works but who listens to AM?

 

[Mister 4x4]

And no bind on fronts assuming "stock" suspension?

No binding, and yes the suspension is 'stock' (OK - 'stock replacement'). I'd originally ordered a Super Suspension Kit from Laurel Mountain Mustangs with 1" drop front springs, but they sent the 'big block' (heavy duty) springs instead. It wouldn't even compress with the drivetrain installed and 3 of my buddies and I sitting on the aprons. I've been looking hard at replacing them with some Aldan American, CPPs, TCPs, or similar, adjustable coil-overs so I can get the nose down just a bit - I want that 1" drop, dang it!

Jcloutier0722: FWIW, I had the body guy fill-in the antenna hole when I got it painted. I have a Retrosound WPA-1 Hide-away antenna, since I have a local classic rock station tuned in when I'm not listening to the USB flash drive on the Retrosound Model 2 stereo. The previous owners must've had a 'monster stereo system' they wanted to keep, since all I had left was an empty radio bezel, holes in the rear deck and door panels, along with some 24-gauge speaker wire... and I almost forgot, an 8-track that the label had eroded away in the trunk.

 

[Jcloutier0722]

Thanks... I just know the horror stories of molested cars ( and we all done some of that too in our youth) but so thankful my recent acquisition is a "50 year old virgin"

 

[Greg]

You have a bunch of beauties there and I believe this is the first time I've seen your ragtop and probably the only other one I've seen with the grocery cart guard rails even though Ford may have mounted them too high, but groceries were way cheaper back then so maybe the carts were larger then even without brandon's economy today?

What do you do for protecting the pooch from scratching things up? I "try" to anchor Warden to the front seatbelt tight enuff to keep his paws of off the paint, but drool clean up is just part of the deal for his "walks" when I'm lazy.

Please keep your politics out of this site as it makes you look dumb etc. , but still like your car, just less now. "Brandon" term is so immature and high school is so yesterday.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Why like someone's car less because of one's perceived politics???

 

[Greg]

Why like someone's car less because of one's perceived politics???

That "less" part was more of a joke.

 

[Mister 4x4]

Regardless of our individual leanings, I think we can all agree on how cool our cars are. Let's just stick to that and let the mouth-breathers on FB, Twitter, and in the 'Comments' areas of the 'news' websites argue about the rest.

Thanks!

 

[DAverkamp]

Please keep your politics out of this site as it makes you look dumb etc. , but still like your car, just less now. "Brandon" term is so immature and high school is so yesterday.

That term is actually everywhere today, kind of like "Karen and Ken" but I believe you expressed your point of view
effectively.

 

[Stevieray]

The original owner of my B1 ordered it from the dealer without the rear spoiler. Wheels were dressed with trim rings and hub caps. One of the prior owners added the spoiler. I eventually added the magnum 500 wheels. Original rims, caps and trim rings are stored away. I like the looks both ways.

 

[ponyup]

I think a spoiler makes the look complete.

 

[mrgmhale]

Well, in our case for our 1973 Mach 1 I have a "before" and "after" set of photos, where we added a rear wing during a deep re$toration the other year. I am glad we opted to have the wing installed, along with the rear window louver slats and Dzus hold hold-downs. Yeah, yeah, we all know the stripes, front spoiler, rear wing, and Dzus locks do not have any kind of really measurable impact on the actual performance of these pony cars. But, man, do they help them attain a nasty edge in their appearance! I have no regrets with adding the rear wind, nor the louver slats.

Here are some before and after photos. And below is a link for a walk-around video of the 73 Mach 1 on its last day of the restoration project.



Dear gawd, have I told anyone lately how much I enjoy, even love, this hobby?

 

[DAverkamp]

I think a spoiler makes the look complete.

As the "judge" looks down on her!
We all do us, and thats what we do. I'm just happy to contribute to preserving our history & heritage. GBT

 

[Cleveland Crush]

I think a spoiler makes the look complete.

You're garage is cleaner then my living room