• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

1973 Mach 1 Rebuild

  • Thread starter Thread starter southern_boy
  • Start date Start date Apr 8, 2010

southern_boy

New Member
Apr 6, 2010
20
0
1
Texas
Apr 8, 2010
#1
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #1
I'm working on a 1973 Mach 1 I bought back in September which hasn't been drivin since the 80s. I got it running Sunday, it runs as smooth as it can considering it has a cam in it. It has a 351 Cleveland. The trunk is rusted out of it, the gas tank was rotted out aswell. The rear fenders are rusted near the wheel wells, enough to where you can see daylight through them. The Floorpans are rusted through a bit, the previous owner apparently just patched it with a piece of steel under the floor pan underneath. The inner fender apron and battery box is rusted out as usual.

What can I do about the rusting in the rear quarter panels and the trunk? I am pretty sure the only thing I can do about the trunk is rebuild it with trunk pans and such. But what are my options for the rear quarters? I believe im also going to have to reskin the passenger door.
 

downwardspiral

New Member
Oct 27, 2008
51
0
0
Long Island, NY
Apr 8, 2010
#2
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #2
southern_boy said:
I'm working on a 1973 Mach 1 I bought back in September which hasn't been drivin since the 80s. I got it running Sunday, it runs as smooth as it can considering it has a cam in it. It has a 351 Cleveland. The trunk is rusted out of it, the gas tank was rotted out aswell. The rear fenders are rusted near the wheel wells, enough to where you can see daylight through them. The Floorpans are rusted through a bit, the previous owner apparently just patched it with a piece of steel under the floor pan underneath. The inner fender apron and battery box is rusted out as usual.

What can I do about the rusting in the rear quarter panels and the trunk? I am pretty sure the only thing I can do about the trunk is rebuild it with trunk pans and such. But what are my options for the rear quarters? I believe im also going to have to reskin the passenger door.
Click to expand...

Do you have any pictures? I haven't had to replace any body panels on my car, so I didn't go through the process of finding them (yet lol). As far as I know, 73 body panels are tough to come by. I google searched "73 mustang sheet metal" and there are actually quite a few vendors out there with them. Do you have a welder

This place seems to have a decent selection:
Bob's Ford Mustang Parts: Sheet Metal
Floor pans:
Mustang Parts Ford: Mustang Sheet Metal Parts,Mustang Floors Sheet Metal
 

southern_boy

New Member
Apr 6, 2010
20
0
1
Texas
Apr 8, 2010
#3
  • Apr 8, 2010
  • #3
I will try to get a camera tomorrow to get some photos up, and no I do not have a welder, I am planning on borrowing one for the work that this vehicle needs.
 

hungrymonkey

White by Birth, Trash By Choice
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,077
12
108
Oregon.
Apr 10, 2010
#4
  • Apr 10, 2010
  • #4
I checked mustangs plus www.mustangsplus.com they offer 71-73 quarter panels.
They also offer patch kits.

They only way to stop the rusting, is to replace the metal, or encapsulate it from oxygen.
 
E

electricgreen

Founding Member
Apr 9, 2002
1,140
0
36
Western NY
Apr 11, 2010
#5
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #5
Wow, dejavu. Sounds rather familiar. We went through pretty much all of that except the passenger side quarter had a huge dent too. We have pics here http://www.cardomain.com/ride/796631 We replaced the passenger quarter with one off of another car that we got from Ohio Mustang. He's about a day's drive (to/from) and we went and picked it up. We replaced the drivers side with a skin and outer wheelhouse. Just an FYI, repop parts rarely fit without "modification" (and some four letter words, lol). We had someone we know do some of the welding and repop "modifications", as well as the passenger side quarter replacement because he's a welder by trade. We did the driver's quarter, wheelhouse, fender aprons, rad support and passenger side shock tower. There's a video slideshow on youtube also: YouTube - Eleanors Story .

This is her now:

 

southern_boy

New Member
Apr 6, 2010
20
0
1
Texas
Apr 13, 2010
#6
  • Apr 13, 2010
  • #6
electricgreen said:
Wow, dejavu. Sounds rather familiar. We went through pretty much all of that except the passenger side quarter had a huge dent too. We have pics here http://www.cardomain.com/ride/796631 We replaced the passenger quarter with one off of another car that we got from Ohio Mustang. He's about a day's drive (to/from) and we went and picked it up. We replaced the drivers side with a skin and outer wheelhouse. Just an FYI, repop parts rarely fit without "modification" (and some four letter words, lol). We had someone we know do some of the welding and repop "modifications", as well as the passenger side quarter replacement because he's a welder by trade. We did the driver's quarter, wheelhouse, fender aprons, rad support and passenger side shock tower. There's a video slideshow on youtube also: YouTube - Eleanors Story .

This is her now:

Click to expand...

Im going to try to do the body work myself. Gotta learn some how.
 
E

electricgreen

Founding Member
Apr 9, 2002
1,140
0
36
Western NY
Apr 13, 2010
#7
  • Apr 13, 2010
  • #7
We would have done the same, except the passenger quarter was a full on replacement-not just a skin, but the wheelhouses, bracing and skin. I'll have to fin the pic I had of the replacement if it's not on the cardomain, it was literally cut off the donor car with a sawzall. He also did the torque boxes, because they had to be bent and made custom. I don't know if they sell them now, but when we did ours we they didn't.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
What's it Worth? 1970 Mach 1 Q code value
  • tkinak428
  • Apr 13, 2025
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
3
Views
846
What is it Worth?!?!? Apr 13, 2025
horse sence
M
1973 Mach 1 missing engine and transmission, help!
  • MI6Agent007
  • Jun 30, 2024
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
13
Views
2K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 14, 2024
Mcmahst
S
Engine 2003 Mach 1 Automatic Upgrades assistance
  • SJK1417M1AT
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
291
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 21, 2025
01SVTvertt
0
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
379
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
SOLD SOLD!!!! 1993 Notchback Roadracer For Sale. She's a beast!
  • Boydster
  • Apr 25, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 25, 2025
Boydster
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?