Wife's Mach1

[Ryunker]

The story starts back in fall of 2005 shortly after we built our home in northern Illinois. We moved in October 2004.

On a road trip back from wife's sister in St Louis wife started "why don't we have a mustang like the one dad gave my sister and I in college?" I replied, '71 Mustangs are not so easy to find, she replied like that one in the field?

To my surprise a guy had a project car used car lot on the right side of I55 in a field, so turn off the interstate and investigate. Found the still 2023 current project her '71 Mach1 M code. The car was in pieces, heads were removed to show where the face of a valve went thru the cylinder wall. Many of the engine parts were in the trunk as well as a new carpet, and the seats were recovered.

Time passed, the cheap stuff was done, engine, trans and rear end. Brakes and steering along with wheels and used tires followed. More time passed and did rust repair, new quarters, trunk, wheel wells and rear panel. At that point figured we are next to complete.... Lies

Finally we got smart, sold the house and relocated family to South Dakota, same time took the car to a local restoration shop and had them "finish the body" $14k later car was ready to ship out west.

Has been sitting here in the garage almost a year, in primer awaiting paint, along with all the detail stuff to follow. Notified today, paint dude to pick it up Tuesday evening for the summer to get color on this project.

That is going to be 18 years from acquisition to paint, then who know from there to completion... Any ideas?

Here are a few photos taken this day

 

[Sheriff41]

It's always an ongoing effort with our cars! It looks like you've done your due diligence getting it ready for paint. What color are you going with?

 

[Ryunker]

It's always an ongoing effort with our cars! It looks like you've done your due diligence getting it ready for paint. What color are you going with?

Light pewter, no stripes just black lowers and mach1 lettering. No blackout on the hood either

 

[Sheriff41]

That will look sharp. Be sure to post up pictures for us!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

I can't wait to see the light pewter and black color scheme on your Mach 1. It is going to be Epic!

 

[c9zx]

I hope you painter doesn't put your car in "body shop jail". It should be a great looking car when painted. Chuck

 

[Sheriff41]

I can't wait to see the light pewter and black color scheme on your Mach 1. It is going to be Epic!

Your bias is showing

 

[Ryunker]

I hope you painter doesn't put your car in "body shop jail". It should be a great looking car when painted. Chuck

Likely, 3 to 4 months. Hope to get it back before heavy winter, and this time 2024 progress with all the detail stuff and interior

 

[Mister 4x4]

Congrats! It'll look awesome with no stripes - that's how mine came from the factory (no stripes or spoilers), however it is a Ram Air car, so I have the TuTone on the hood.

 

[Bill Perkins]

Nice Car, keep digging on the car, it will be worth it in the long run

 

[Ryunker]

Congrats! It'll look awesome with no stripes - that's how mine came from the factory (no stripes or spoilers), however it is a Ram Air car, so I have the TuTone on the hood.
View attachment 76228

Real nice, ours has the moldings separating the two colors and front bumper is rubber-ish car color.

 

[bishoppeak]

Like this

Google Photos

photos.google.com

 

[Tnfastbk]

Light pewter, no stripes just black lowers and mach1 lettering. No blackout on the hood either

Nice, that's basically how mine started life except it was grabber yellow. The only options where power steering and the under dash air-conditioning. But it was a M code 4 speed car

 

[Ryunker]

Nice, that's basically how mine started life except it was grabber yellow. The only options where power steering and the under dash air-conditioning. But it was a M code 4 speed car

Wife's has power steering, drum brakes and no A/C. Did not come with a console either, but have one and not sure it will get installed.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Wife's has power steering, drum brakes and no A/C. Did not come with a console either, but have one and not sure it will get installed.

Sweet, I'm sure once you get it where you want it, you will have some great times with it.

 

[Ryunker]

Sweet, I'm sure once you get it where you want it, you will have some great times with it.

And when the 2024 shows up, there could be a show down..

 

[PoFoMoCo]

And when the 2024 shows up, there could be a show down..

Let's GO!

 

[mrgmhale]

Very nice looking. That will be a fun Mustang to work on...

 

[mrgmhale]

Both of our 73 Mustangs (Mach 1 and Convertible) came without factory A/C. We added Classic Air A/C to both, and are very pleased with the performance of those systems.

 

[Ryunker]

Finally out of here and off to paint (body shop jail).