Tackling the rescue of a butchered fastback

[Stanglover]

Sometimes words just fail, this is one of them. Hard to come up with appropriate derogatory statements or expletives that match the pictures.

 I can think of several choice words for this clown, but then I'd get kicked off the site!! Best let the pictures speak for them selves.

 Can't remember when it was, but there is a "kit" available for the converting 71-73's to rack & pinion and was featured in MM. It does require cutting half the cross member out though as I recall. If this guy had at least done that, it would be better.

I have to wonder if this car is even worth fixing after seeing those pics. The guy can't even lay a good weld down by the looks of it.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

If the decision is to keep the mod engine I do think that Ford makes a harness for use when going in a Street Rod or Resto Mod situation. You might check on that. I do not see the car ever going back stock cost way too much. Maybe a totally different front suspension would be the answer up front. Again cost is probably going to kill that.

 

[MissionGarage]

If the decision is to keep the mod engine I do think that Ford makes a harness for use when going in a Street Rod or Resto Mod situation. You might check on that. I do not see the car ever going back stock cost way too much. Maybe a totally different front suspension would be the answer up front. Again cost is probably going to kill that.

 That’s good to know.  I wouldn’t have thought of Ford actually having something, I would have pictured the aftermarket but didn’t know where to start.

 As for the front, there’s a couple different ways we can go. We are able to fab something, but I talked to Steve at Art Morrison‘s and they have a clip we could buy for it, already designed.  Either way, the challenge will be selling the customer. We will see how she feels about 10 grand to do it right, on top of the wiring and finishing the trim. 

 

[MissionGarage]

Sometimes words just fail, this is one of them. Hard to come up with appropriate derogatory statements or expletives that match the pictures.

 I can think of several choice words for this clown, but then I'd get kicked off the site!! Best let the pictures speak for them selves.

 Can't remember when it was, but there is a "kit" available for the converting 71-73's to rack & pinion and was featured in MM. It does require cutting half the cross member out though as I recall. If this guy had at least done that, it would be better.

I have to wonder if this car is even worth fixing after seeing those pics. The guy can't even lay a good weld down by the looks of it.

 The thing is, he did all new floors, rockers, trunks floor, quarters, and wheell tub’s. And all of that work is pretty good. It was the fabricating where he went sideways. 

 Given that, and the fact that the car has great sentimental value to the customer, I am going to recommend saving it. 

 

[tony-muscle]

Following this story. I cant believe all the stuff done to this car.

BTW if you need an automatic i have the C6 i removed from my car with everything needed. I replaced it with a TKO so i have the transmission, drive shaft, shift lever, linkage, NSS connections, cross member, flex plate, converter, kick down rod, etc. I have these up for sale as a package if interested.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Let me throw out an idea

C4 corvette front suspensions have been adapted to many other vehicles. I see them used and in good shape. usually they are only about 700 with the R&P all it should take is some custom brackets to put it in the front rails and linking up the steering. The butchery would be gone and factory available parts would be there for servicing in the future. As it would eliminate the need for shock towers and coil spring it would leave plenty of room for any motor. other than swapping the front wheels for a gm pattern or redrilling the hubs and rotors the hard part is done likely can use the ford power steering pump. Early units are 60.5 later ones are 61.5 early units have 11" brakes. Later units after 87 IIRC use 12" WHICH WILL MAKE STOCK WHEELS INCOMPATIBLE!

I have three right now going into projects ranging from a 29 Tudor, a 56 F100 and . . . perhaps a 73 Mach 1 if the others ever get wrapped up.

Oh and as to pointing the strut rods backwards- he probably got the idea from a Ford 4x4 truck which is sort of set up that way

 

[MissionGarage]

That’s a thought, Jeff. It would depend on track with and ride height, and what it would take to make those things work. It’s another thing worth looking into.

Of course, it all gets back to the owner and how she really feels about the car at this point, and what she’s willing to spend. The Morrison stuff has the flexibility to let the car be anything she could ever want – sports car, race car, stock appearing, luxury cruiser. And all the changes can be easily made.

My electrical/computer specialist Dennis is evaluating all that. In the next week or two, it will be time to find out just what the lady wants. I’m hoping she’ll say where in this deep, let’s spend what it takes to really make it something. Of course, she could also decide to scrap the whole thing. Or, something somewhere in between. We shall see.

 

[Fabrice]

 I can think of several choice words for this clown 

 Can't remember when it was, but there is a "kit" available for the converting 71-73's to rack & pinion and was featured in MM. It does require cutting half the cross member out though as I recall. 

The sad part is that this butcher is still free. He prolly made other victims since then...

As about the pinion rack thingy. Check on Youtube for a 73 black coupe, a project called "marge"

The guy makes nicely documented videos on his progresses. One of them covers this part in details.

EDIT:

 

[72HCODE]

the amount of money to undo the damage exceeds getting another car and starting over.

money being no object yeah you can restore it. but she already spent so much money that you are going to exceed another 15K to make it right and then there still won't be money to make the car perfect. plus the time. now you basically have to undo everything the last guy did, then get it back to the point you can start install new metal to make it right, you looking at another year or more and as the time goes forward the money and likely hood of completion in the customers mind shrink then it becomes lets put this project on the back burner and eventually you get stuck with it in storage or with a lean on it.

you've got mechanical, electrical, engine, drivetrain all questionable. i mean what happens if the motor swap from a 2002 is junk and grenades a week after you finish.

you could find a decent replacement take all the good parts off this one and put it on the better start and at least have some of the parts transfer over to keep the memory alive.

i think there should be a realistic sit down with the customer and come up with a game plan to move forward or not.

i've been through this on my car. i pushed hard to get mine done and it was REALLY bad at the start.

i've spend tons of money and have a 20 footer at best that runs so-so and i wish i could of started over with a much better car.

 

[Mister 4x4]

It sounds like the sentimental purposes will be the driver to continue on with the car.  It also looks like you have your work cut out for you.

If you were interested in going back to stock with a factory front end, harvesting a front clip from another model is very doable (I had to do that for mine - ran me around $400 and I did the transplant myself with the advice and encouragement of member from this site).  It also sounds like you have a plan in-place to unf... fix the front end to salvage the engine and R&P system.  The wiring's no biggie - check with Midlife for some replacement harness action, if nothing else.  Everything else is academic.

Good luck with it all and keep us posted, please - this is an interesting story.  

Also gotta remember that at the end of the day, these cars are only worth what they're worth to someone interested in them and willing to put the money, effort, and time into buying, restoring, and keeping them.  Never underestimate the value of a late husband's pride & joy to a grieving widow (I'm pretty sure mine would hang onto my Mustang since she has some sweat equity involved, but I'm pretty sure my Jeep likely would be up for grabs before the dirt was tamped down and sod replaced on my plot).   :whistling:

 

[MissionGarage]

UPDATE

Since receiving the car I have done a bunch of research and developed a few options. Tonight was the meeting with the customer to discuss the course of action. The decision has been made to go back to the stock engine and suspension.

They still have the original engine and trans. They will be freshened and detailed and reinstalled with aftermarket FI and electronic ignition. We will be adding A/C and disc brakes.

I was shocked to find out that the other guy had it for EIGHT YEARS. In the end the way he treated her, she was expecting to hear that her was no hope. When I told her what we had planned she burst into tears and hugged me. Very powerful moment. She is now 65 years old. Her goal is to drive the thing before she dies of old age. I gave her my word.

I have over 40 years’ experience doing this work; and I have a great group of guys. I take this **** very seriously. There’s nothing I love more than making a mess back into what it is supposed to be, a car to be cherished and enjoyed.

First thing I’m looking for is a donor car for the front crossmember, steering, and under hood bits. Ideally it would be a rusted out shell with no engine, somewhere in the northeast. Where is the best place to post this?

 

[Don C]

You might contact this forum member, see if what you need is salvageable from his car.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-1973-mach-1-parting-out

 

[Mister 4x4]

UPDATE

Since receiving the car I have done a bunch of research and developed a few options. Tonight was the meeting with the customer to discuss the course of action. The decision has been made to go back to the stock engine and suspension.

They still have the original engine and trans. They will be freshened and detailed and reinstalled with aftermarket FI and electronic ignition. We will be adding A/C and disc brakes.

I was shocked to find out that the other guy had it for EIGHT YEARS. In the end the way he treated her, she was expecting to hear that her was no hope. When I told her what we had planned she burst into tears and hugged me. Very powerful moment. She is now 65 years old. Her goal is to drive the thing before she dies of old age. I gave her my word.

I have over 40 years’ experience doing this work; and I have a great group of guys. I take this **** very seriously. There’s nothing I love more than making a mess back into what it is supposed to be, a car to be cherished and enjoyed.

First thing I’m looking for is a donor car for the front crossmember, steering, and under hood bits. Ideally it would be a rusted out shell with no engine, somewhere in the northeast. Where is the best place to post this?

This is awesome!  I don't know how much this will help, but this is the chassis drawing that Scott Keller provided to me when I swapped the front clip on mine.

frame.pdf

Hope it helps!  Sounds like this car is in good hands... Good on ya! ::thumb::

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

I am not in the NE but in North Carolina. I have a 72 vert that got hit in rear so front is ok. It did bend the bumper but not the frame. It was a Ziebart car so not as rusty as most.

The front end is up for grabs. I have sold the disc brakes and spindles off the front but all other components are there. Is inside in my shop. Was a 1972 H code 351 with 3 speed one of only 82 they made.

PM if interested. Torque boxes not rusty either.

This car had a sad story also. He bought new, dated in the car, got married in the car and raised two boys in the car. He had painted and was in pretty nice shape and was driven in his funeral procession. His wife cried as I left with the car. They did not want it to go to junk yard. I told them I was using to keep several others going and she was happy. She was holding the Mustang fender emblems in her had as I left. She had said if I would fix it she would buy it back. Yes anything can be fixed but these cars are just not worth it to me. Worth more as parts to keep other better ones going.

That was a NOS front bumper, reinforcement and brackets the stickers were still on inside.

 

[Ron Tanzi]

That is just terrible. I would have a nervous break down trying to make this car right again. Bless your soul for taking it on and good luck with it. It is a good cause both for the car and the lady. Ron

 

[MissionGarage]

Thank you Ron but nothing to have a breakdown about. This is the kind of thing we do. Even here in Central New York there is a never ending supply of aborted or problematic restorations, all brands, and all value levels. Of course, there is not a never ending supply of money to make them right. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t save them all. But when I get the chance, I go all out to do so.

Note to David and others- what I am looking for in a parts car, ideally, would be something fairly complete under the hood, with power steering and power disc brakes. The engine and transmission don’t have to be any good, but I am going to need to source brackets and bolts and harnesses and such. Do not need seats for the like, and the body can be completely shot. Would like to get a parts car lot and come to pick it up in the next couple weeks. iMessage me here, or text or call 315-440-7351. My name is Bob. Really appreciate the help!

 

[Tnfastbk]

Thank you Ron but nothing to have a breakdown about. This is the kind of thing we do.  Even here in Central New York there is a never ending supply of aborted or problematic restorations, all brands, and all value levels. Of course, there is not a never ending supply of money to make them right. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t save them all. But when I get the chance, I go all out to do so.

Note to David and others-  what I am looking for in a parts car, ideally, would be something fairly complete under the hood, with power steering and power disc brakes. The engine and transmission don’t have to be any good, but I am going to need to source brackets and bolts and harnesses and such.  Do not need seats for the like, and the body can be completely shot.  Would like to get a parts car lot and come to pick it up in the next couple weeks.  iMessage me here, or text or call 315-440-7351. My name is Bob.  Really appreciate the help!

I would contact Don at Ohio Mustang Supply. He has new as well as used stuff and plenty of parts cars.

(440) 949-2556

 

[Stanglover]

Probably too far away and in Ontario, Canada, but if you look up www.Kijiji.com . enter 1971 Mustang, location,  Ontario, all of Ontario, there is a guy with a front end that may work for you for 500 bucks Can or about 350 US on page 5. There is another ad for a complete 71 parts POS for 1500.

Just thought I'd send that, but I'm sure you can find something closer.

Geoff.

 

[MissionGarage]

I’m only an hour from the Canadian border so that’s not a problem. The problem is, importing a car from Canada. Way too much hassle.

 

[Fabrice]

I’m  only an hour from the Canadian border so that’s not a problem. The problem is, importing a car from Canada. Way too much hassle.

You need to import a car even if you don't plan register/drive it?