just fyi. . . when I got the car, it was grabber blue and since then all I have done to the outside is add a black rear spoiler and black front spoiler as well as a mach 1 hood scoop (also black and smaller than the boss scoops). Those three accents made all the difference in the world. there really aren't any places to put side scoops on a '70. One thing I DO wonder about is how much of a sin it would be to have the exhaust dump out in front of the rear tires. No chrome tips, just the 3 inch brushed aluminum pipes that I would keep well polished. I've mentioned exhaust before, I just think this setup gives it a little more racecar feel than the normal setup.
Restoration. . . "old school", or "newfangled"??
- Thread starter projectstang
- Start date
LanceMach
Founding Member
As many have said: it's really a matter of personal preference...
However, since you asked, I'm putting in my two cents! I had a 69 Mach 1 that I sold to my brother-in-law about 2 years ago (I don't have time to work on 2 cars, but at least I kept it in the family!) and my plan was very similar to what I did with my 67:
Restomod, but without making it look too modern. Start with the suspension: no need for coil-overs (unless you have buckets of money to spend), but definitely upgraded springs (custom cut to get it down in the weeds!), sway bars (the 69/70's need bigger bars than the earlier cars - rear bar is nice on the street, but I don't like them on the track), control arms (I was thinking TCP or GW tubulars), and strut rods (I love my Street or Track rods). I would also go to rollerized spring perches. For shocks, I'd go with the best I could afford as they can dramatically affect ride quality. Before doing any of this, I'd get some subframe connectors on it, so you're starting with a good foundation. Handling is the second most important thing for me (safety is number one).
Brakes - front wheel disc brakes (4 wheel discs aren't really necessary, even on most track cars, but look great). Wheels - 16 or 17 inch (personally, I love the Torque Thrust "D" look and you can now get that on the TT II's). Some wide, wide tires (275s would look good, but I'm not sure they'd fit in front).
I love the Shaker hood - looks nasty! Otherwise, a Mach 1 scoop (functional). Front and rear spoilers look good (at least I think so) and the front spoiler in particular does help keep the front end more stable at high speeds (which, of course, you would only see on the track - right?).
Roll bar and upgraded seats with full five-point harnesses (ProCar makes a seat that looks great in the vintage cars, but has great support for those high lateral G situations!).
Five speed transmission (what type would depend on how much power you end up putting under the hood).
Engine - I had a 351W and it was pretty strong (at least compared to my 67 and it's little 289). If I wanted more power, I would stroke the 351 or, for "Wow factor", go with a supercharger (big blocks make good handling much harder to achieve).
Paint is something I hadn't decided on, but I think the 69 and 70 cars look mean with anything from Primer on up! The one thing I do like is the semi-flat hood and accents (e.g, the front spoiler and scoop) - looks like business.
As you can tell, most of my changes would be functional, but not highly visible. I think these cars can definitely benefit from upgrades suspension, braking and engine parts, but they don't need much in terms of the body: they look great the way they are (or were).
However, since you asked, I'm putting in my two cents! I had a 69 Mach 1 that I sold to my brother-in-law about 2 years ago (I don't have time to work on 2 cars, but at least I kept it in the family!) and my plan was very similar to what I did with my 67:
Restomod, but without making it look too modern. Start with the suspension: no need for coil-overs (unless you have buckets of money to spend), but definitely upgraded springs (custom cut to get it down in the weeds!), sway bars (the 69/70's need bigger bars than the earlier cars - rear bar is nice on the street, but I don't like them on the track), control arms (I was thinking TCP or GW tubulars), and strut rods (I love my Street or Track rods). I would also go to rollerized spring perches. For shocks, I'd go with the best I could afford as they can dramatically affect ride quality. Before doing any of this, I'd get some subframe connectors on it, so you're starting with a good foundation. Handling is the second most important thing for me (safety is number one).
Brakes - front wheel disc brakes (4 wheel discs aren't really necessary, even on most track cars, but look great). Wheels - 16 or 17 inch (personally, I love the Torque Thrust "D" look and you can now get that on the TT II's). Some wide, wide tires (275s would look good, but I'm not sure they'd fit in front).
I love the Shaker hood - looks nasty! Otherwise, a Mach 1 scoop (functional). Front and rear spoilers look good (at least I think so) and the front spoiler in particular does help keep the front end more stable at high speeds (which, of course, you would only see on the track - right?).
Roll bar and upgraded seats with full five-point harnesses (ProCar makes a seat that looks great in the vintage cars, but has great support for those high lateral G situations!).
Five speed transmission (what type would depend on how much power you end up putting under the hood).
Engine - I had a 351W and it was pretty strong (at least compared to my 67 and it's little 289). If I wanted more power, I would stroke the 351 or, for "Wow factor", go with a supercharger (big blocks make good handling much harder to achieve).
Paint is something I hadn't decided on, but I think the 69 and 70 cars look mean with anything from Primer on up! The one thing I do like is the semi-flat hood and accents (e.g, the front spoiler and scoop) - looks like business.
As you can tell, most of my changes would be functional, but not highly visible. I think these cars can definitely benefit from upgrades suspension, braking and engine parts, but they don't need much in terms of the body: they look great the way they are (or were).
BobV
20+ Year Stangneter 
Most of my mods are functional in nature. I tried to maintain a "somewhat" vintage appearance, but everything has a little twist - slightly different paint colors, etc.... Heck, they even tried to put me in the "65/66 fastback" class last weekend instead of modified........... 
I did give in to the 'bling factor" with polished rims, but at least the don't spin or anything!
White cars need all the "pop" they can get in the visual department. 
I did give in to the 'bling factor" with polished rims, but at least the don't spin or anything!
White cars need all the "pop" they can get in the visual department. 69/70's look fantastic in Calypso Coral paint. I agree with most of the ideas presented, try to get a more modern ride, handling and braking package while still maintaining the core look of the car. Wheels alone can make or break a cars looks, thank goodness for computer software these days that lets up the the result before the purchase. I often look at some of the riced out *** cars and trucks and cant help but wonder if the guy( or girl) driving it REALLY thinks it looks good. lol
I agree COMPLETELY, especially with the ideas of the tt 2's. I'm still in college, and my dad is helpig me with the project. He has offered to buy me the wheels for my car as a gift, but he prefers the stock look of the 15 inch magnum 500's, while I tend to lean toward some 16 inch TT 2's. He says he's afraid it would look like a Mexican car (no offense to my latino friends) but I think he's failing to see the big picture, and ignoring the fact that they look more bad@$$ than any other vintage style wheel. I'll keep wearing him down, hopefully. Until then, the magnums will have to do. Those suspension mods sound good. I don't really know anything about it except that there's alot riding on it, i.e. performance and safety. thanks for the tips so far!!
P.S. I know this is a mustang forum, but how much would it cost to put flame throwers on the exhaust of my '58 ford pickup? it's got a manual choke, so those pipes would throw some huge flames!!
P.S. I know this is a mustang forum, but how much would it cost to put flame throwers on the exhaust of my '58 ford pickup? it's got a manual choke, so those pipes would throw some huge flames!!
If you get that radical on your motor you'll need the rollbar in ADDITION to the subframes. JUst to keep the thing from twisting not even counting the sanctioning body's requirements. I don't think a Victor manifold will fit under a stock hood (better ask a 69/70 owner though), put a Boss-9 scoop on there and it will though 
A toploader is the original heavy duty 4-speed manual gearbox that came in the early stangs. Very tough, very reliable, very easy to work on. Guess thats why they don't make em anymore eh?
A toploader is the original heavy duty 4-speed manual gearbox that came in the early stangs. Very tough, very reliable, very easy to work on. Guess thats why they don't make em anymore eh?
[QUOTE='69Mach1Chick]Does anyone have any pictures of Calypso Coral paint? And can someone tell me what a toploader is?[/QUOTE]
You really need to see Calypso Coral in person, Ive yet to see a pic the correctly represents its beauty.. its just one of those colors that doesnt photgraph well. A top loader is a ford transmission, it gets its name due to the fact the the covers to access the internals are on top of the transmission.
You really need to see Calypso Coral in person, Ive yet to see a pic the correctly represents its beauty.. its just one of those colors that doesnt photgraph well. A top loader is a ford transmission, it gets its name due to the fact the the covers to access the internals are on top of the transmission.
I just finished checking out the specs for the Victor Jr. heads. I must admit that of all people, I am an amateur when it comes to engine work. On the other hand, I think I could learn how to drive a 450-500HP pony for one mean street machine. Since I am so naive, I can only count on you guys to tell me how it is. Does anyone have anything bad to say about the Victor Jr. heads, because all I have heard is: "if you want power, you want victor Jr.!" My heart is racing just picturing the setup, and hearing the rumble!
Ive got edelbrock performer RPM heads but if you want my opinion, if you want power you want AFR!! The perfomers and victors are nice dont get me wrong, and the price is right but the AFR heads are pretty tough to beat. I bought the edelbrocks for 1 reason... I found them brand new for $850.
Stang2Man
Founding Member
Torque Thrusts always look good on classic stangs, even with the right mods, the newer styled Bullits or Torque Thrusts II's would look sweet on most classics. But then you get into adapters and all that fun stuff, of course if you're looking to upgrade brakes and such anyway you'd be half way there, Just make sure you don't put anything ricey on it, or you will be hunted down and shot by all Ford Guys
Don't worry, no neon lights or exhaust that sounds like a pack of angry squirrels. No outrageous spoiler, and definitely no gold spoke wheels or chrome spinners. No guarantee on the bass, tho. No worries, the speakers will be nicely concealed in my very spacious trunk. Hey! I might even pack a honda civic back there too, just in case I get a flat!!
I just found my june issue of mustangs & fords and read the article on the AFR head swap on the stock 351W. 140 horsepower just from a head swap?? WOW! If I put some of those on and add a new aluminum intake along with a fairly aggessive cam, and some exhaust (spintech, possibly?) I might be looking at 180 extra horses or so. What kind of intake should I match up with the AFR heads???
