'71 Mach 1

Oh yeah, expect at least one corner to show collison damage-if not, it's happy surprise. the driver's front appears to be the only corner on Eleanor that wasn't tagged-we figured by the "quality" & style of the work (LOTS of filler) that it was one incident-probably a spin into a guard rail.

There's also some bits of inner support (like for the back seat) that will also remain original-and at least the driver's side a-piller-and the rear window glass.

We had a friend who's a welder by trade replace the floor pans, trunk pan, taillight panel, patch the torque boxes (the "requires adjustment" note on the repop front pass torque box is the understatement of the century) and replace the entire pass quarter including the wheelhouses (it was cut from another car, so literally everything was removed and replaced in one big piece). the inner fender aprons, drivers door jamb, drivers quarter skin, rad support and frame extensions that the bumper attaches to are done by my Dh. I do the tedious stuff, like paint removal (I *heart* aircraft stripper), seam sealing, rustmorting, helping fit panels, grease removal, interior install, wirewheeling off rust (I don't weld in other words!)...

I'm restoring a 72 Mach 1 and have some of the same issues electricgreen was mentioning. New floors, quarter, 1 fender, tail lamp panel, trunk drop offs, outer wheel houses, door skins. Also, battery tray and underneatch were a problem. Needs cowl repair too! Those are the areas I would be checking next time around.

As for part availability. I have found that the body replacement parts are pretty easy to find. I think the interior requires a little searching on some things, but overall with a little work you should be able to find anything you might need.

Wow.... I guess I'm lucky (for once)! Only rust I seem to be dealling with on the "Big Bad Cat" is in the front inner fenders (both sides) and the drivers' rear quarter panel/outer&inner wheelhouses/trunk dropoff areas. Floor's good (must be they don't use salt in Colorado) and I'm hoping it's good news when I pull the 3/4 vinyl roof off the car. Considering how much better the paint is on the passenger rear QP; I'm guessing that it probably smacked (or has been smacked by) something after it moved to Arizona. Also don't hear the usual "Bondo thud" when I rap on that corner with my knuckles.
The sound of that muffled "thud" on the Drivers' side made me decide not to rap on it again until I'm ready and have good used (ain't no repop for 71-73 Mercury's unless it's identical for the Mustang) sheetmetal sitting in the carport next to the Cougar!

EDIT: Yeahyeahyeah, it was supposed to be a '67 Mustang - preferably fastback, but I'd take a coupe for that "sleeper" aspect - in my carport; but what the heck, NoKitten owed us money and the former "Cleo" was already in our carport. And under that 7' hood lives the motor with that magical name, "Cleveland". I had one of those years ago in a Gran Torino; we laid down a quality 80 foot "1-1/2 peg-leg" burnout leaving the wedding reception with my new wife almost 24 years ago. I'd like to get this car on the road for our 25th Anniversary next year.

Only problem My car had was the timing was off 180 deg. Later I dukes of hazard style jumped a 6' berm. Car faired well, only bent the radiator core support (from the curb) and mangled the chin spoiler. Still driving as is 7 years later, now it handles like a regular car.=( One day I'll get some cash saved up and straighten it out, but I dont put enough miles on it to justify that yet.


Just an indication of what these cars go through.