67 Mustang Coupe Restoration and Progress

[MightyMouse]

I have been working on my 67 Coupe for a while now. It started out with a simple strut suspension swap, as followed in my previous thread. Once I tore into the rear end to redo the suspension there, I found some rut that couldn't be patched up. So needless to say I yanked the engine and tore everything down. All new sheet metal is being applied and a lot has been done. I made my own wiring harness since I would have to hack up a new one because of all of the mods I have done. Much cheaper this way anyway. So following are some pics of what I have done.

Cut out the frame rails and welded in box tubing.

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Several weeks later I ended up with some trailing arms, QA1 coil over shocks, and a watts link. Great system, can't wait to drive it and see how it handles now. I have the sheet metal and am currently working on putting in the new trunk so I can put in the fuel tank, so I can get gas to the engine, so I can start it, so I can turn it around to replace the 1/4 panels, so I can ...................................................

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Another shot.

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Here is my wiring harness setup, I mocked a dash as best as I could. All the wiring is hidden from the engine compartment. I am running a Hi-Torque Mini Starter, the solenoid is on the starter itself. I have a duraspark 2 Ignition System as well.

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Here you can see it will be painted Vista Blue with White racing stripes. I am going to badge it as a GT350. It will have the shelby style hood and shelby rear spoiler and lights. With my 302 with ported and polished heads and the T5 tranny it will make every bit of 350hp. I have a connection to a dyno, so when it is done, I am going to see what it really has.

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While I had the engine out, I painted it and the tranny Ford blue, they were painted Dark Blue before, all in all it only has 7500 miles on the rebuild. I will be getting the Cobra Air Cleaner and such. I put in TCP motor mounts and love them, they are rock solid.

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Oh yeah, the whole undercarriage, interior floorpans, and engine compartment have all been done in Liner Xtreeme. This is great stuff, it is tough, easy to clean up the car now, and looks great! [/SIZE][/SIZE]

 

[JonK]

Looks good, man I thought I was doing a lot when I tore mine down. I don't have welding skills and luckily only had fender apron rust spots (besides outer body fenderwell rust which will be addressed later w/bodywork). Great idea with the cardboard template for wiring, I may steal that idea....
That Watt's link looks solid now, I'm planning at least a panhard rod later but need to reinforce between the frame rails so I don't push them out I suppose.
Congrats on your progress.
Jon

 

[MightyMouse]

I have gotten a lot done since the last post. I have finished the trnk, put new wheel wells in, put new 1/4's on, as well a the trunk filler piece. Oh yeah and I got the taillight panel and braces, etc, etc done. The fiberglass is going to take quite a bit of work to get them to look right, but hey it is just time right? I mean I have done everything else myself, what is a little more time?

Getting ready to put the trunk floor in.

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I didn't take too many pics of the process, cause my time is short when I can work on this and I use all the time I can get.

Here you can see the section of steel that I formed and welded in, new full trunk extensions were welded in also.

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Yes the gas tank is sitting in there, and no it has no gas in it. It has been bone dry for over 5 months. If it were not, would I be typing right now?

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New quarter panels installed.

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Another shot, and yes I cut up the new metal tail panel so I could fit the Shelby panel in there.

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And the trunk filler panel. I have to get some pics of the Shelby stuff later.

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If you have any questions about how I did things, shoot me a PM and let me know.

 

[MightyMouse]

I don't have welding skills

I started out about 15 yrs ago with some very small stuff, just messing around. Then I took a class in college on metal working, messed around with a TIG, MIG, plasma cutter, torch welding, aluminum welding, and all sorts of other fun stuff. I say just get your feet wet and have fun with it. I look at it this way, I saved over $4000 from what a local shop wanted to do all that I am doing. If I messed something up, I buy the new part and I am still ahead. I am out my time, but I learned from my experience, and what is time anyway?

 

[MightyMouse]

I have been working feverishly on the car when I can. Kinda hard now that I had to go back to work. I am planning on having most of it back together this weekend. I have to wait to get the seats recovered for when I sell my truck. I will be posting some updated pics very soon.

 

[Vinnietbird]

Great work so far.Both of my best friends have coupes (one '67,and one '68).We've been working on them for a couple of years.Keep it up and keep the progress pics coming.Again,great work.

 

[MightyMouse]

Some more pics of the progress

I am putting some more pics here, they are pretty much self explanatory. If you have any questions, let me know.

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[hungrymonkey]

It started out with a simple strut suspension swap

Mine started with adjusting the front drum brakes. Kind of got out of hand after that...





Looks like you are making very good progress on it.

 

[tx65coupe]

That looks fantastic so far.

 

[MightyMouse]

Yeah, it is a very slow and tedious process. I have been able to get out and drive it, with the coil over rear and strut suspension, I feel like I have a new car. I talked about selling it to help with our family budget, but my wife said she would kill me if I did, since I have spent so much time on it. We are going to sell my 2000 Ford Ranger instead. Know of anyone wanting one?

 

[6Stang7]

Looks fantastic. I really like the Vista blue paint job.

 

[JonK]

I did the same thing with the lower valence opening, cut a metal repop and had the panels welded in. Looks like you did the same, wish I would have thought to slant the bottom panel up to meet the frame lip so it doesn't go flat to the frame. Maybe next try.
I also mounted a pair of 6.5" Hella driving lights there too but they looked cramped and I have an auto so they blocked my trans. cooler. May move them to the outboard grille area like '69's.
Looks like good progress.
Jon

 

[MightyMouse]

My paint job is more for protection than looks. Not show car quality, but at least it is protected. I can't afford a professional job right now, but after doing some color sanding and buffing, it isn't looking too bad. I guess we will see what happens.

The lower valance took some time to figure out, but I like the way it turned out. I am getting some 6" PIAA lights. My opening is a little over 14" and I am running a manual so I shouldn't have any problems.

I took it for a spin last night, other than having to tweek the timing and changing the rear springs, it gets up and goes and really does ride nice.

 

[MightyMouse]

Yeah, between my job, my masters classes, family and everything else, progress has been very slow. I am hoping to put side windows in this weekend and get to driving it again. What do you think? Excuse the pics, it is only 45 here and it is late and the car is loud, didn't want to wake anyone.

With the covers? or

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Without the covers? Lights in the middle that is.

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[6Stang7]

OT, but what are you getting your masters in?

 

[rebel65]

I feel like I have a new car. I talked about selling it to help with our family budget, but my wife said she would kill me if I did, since I have spent so much time on it.

I've had the same inclinations, sell for a good reliable car. my wife to be would kill me also if i ever sold the 65, it's the car i gave her a ride home the first time ever. It's sentamental for me for obvious reasons, but it's also for her. she loves my car even though she has never driven it. i just thought this was a powerful idea to make notice to. power to the women who love us for our hobby, if you can call it that. ; ).

 

[MightyMouse]

I am a teacher and am working on getting my administrative degree.

My wife drove it the other day, and had a big grin on her face. It was the first time in 5 years since we have owned the car that she has driven it. Too see the smile on her face was priceless, she was like a little kid in a candy store.