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

Tomorrow, it begins.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jmarich
  • Start date Start date Mar 15, 2004
J

Jmarich

New Member
Mar 15, 2004
2
0
0
Birmingham, Alabama
Mar 15, 2004
#1
  • Mar 15, 2004
  • #1
Greetings all. My name is Josh and I have finally decided to take the plunge.

In 1968, my Grandparents bought a brand new Mustang Coupe (289, white/red interior) and when I was growing up alot of my memories center around this. I remember my grandmother driving me around in it as a young kid. My dad kept this car and pretty much drove it as his primary. When I turned 16, the keys were turned over to me.

On my 17th birthday (to the day) I struck a white 1986 Mustang (white/red interior) in a cruel twist of fate. I pulled out when I had a hard time seeing and by the time I saw the car, it was too late. Completely my fault. The damage was the hood, fender, etc. Basic stuff.

Unfortunatly, that was the last time the family Mustang ran. It never would start after this accident and there never really was the money to fix it.

Fast forward: I am now 26, self employed, and just got out of the Marines after 6 years. With more time on my hands, I have really been kicking around a new project to spend my time on. Yup. You guessed it, time to completely restore my Mustang.

Where is this Mustang you ask? Dang, I was hoping you wouldn't ask this. Unfortunatly, she has not gotten any attention and I am almost too ashamed to look at her. But I am about to make it up to her. She has been sitting in my parents driveway (to their neighbor's dismay) only getting worse.

Tomorrow, I am having it brought over to my new house and she has her very own spot in our garage.

I am so excited, but incredibly overwhelmed. I am handy with a tool, and follow manuals even better I will take some pictures tomorrow and post them after my baby is home.

ANY suggestions, ideas, direction would be helpful. I would really like to go about this the right way. I plan on restoring this as an alternative to buying a new car. Not for the $$ reasons, but I sure miss cruising around in my mustang.

Ideas I am thinking about are a little more power out of the engine, disc brakes all around, better suspension, etc. I am not planning on showing this car, and honestly keeping it 100% original is not really a factor. I just plan on keeping this car for a long long time and maybe passing it on to one of my kids.

Ok, thats my novel. Thanks for reading

Josh Marich
 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2002
2,488
0
46
Southern California
Mar 15, 2004
#2
  • Mar 15, 2004
  • #2
Ah yes, memories. Time, money and hard work is required. I too wish to pass my Stang on to my son, but first I have to teach him to use a 4-speed stick and to handle the power! I had a 65 that had the front end crunched in too. It was my fault as well. My friend and I pulled out the inner fender well ourselves (lack of money while in the USAF) and managed to make it driveable. I advice would be to think of safety first. Happy wrenching.
 

68GEETEE

5 Year Member
Nov 21, 2003
481
5
38
Texas, USA
Mar 15, 2004
#3
  • Mar 15, 2004
  • #3
Good luck on your project. Just take your time and do things right, dont be in a rush.
 

69 302/351c

Founding Member
May 29, 2001
1,147
0
36
Walkertown NC, originally Western Mass
Mar 16, 2004
#4
  • Mar 16, 2004
  • #4
Enjoy it, it's a great hobby. My .02...plan ahead and don't buy parts twice. When I started mine 10 years ago, I wanted a 4 bbl intake so I bought a Edelbrock Performer, now I wish I had an AirGap. Same with the valve covers, started with chrome, now have Ford Motorsports.

Have fun
 

pabear89

Active Member
Apr 15, 2003
2,126
0
46
High in the Hills of So Ca with the Voices in My H
Mar 16, 2004
#5
  • Mar 16, 2004
  • #5
There's nothing like putting around in a 30 year old plus car.

And when you at a stop light next to a new Cobra and everyone is looking at Yours. you will see that it was worth the Effort.

Take pic's and bag the parts so not to lose them.

PB
 
L

Lswhat

New Member
Feb 9, 2004
126
0
0
Orlando
Mar 16, 2004
#6
  • Mar 16, 2004
  • #6
yeah the people looking at the old ones instead of the new ones makes me feel a rock star i ride around with a bunch of new stangs and all the girls seem to like mine better pisses my friends off. ohh the joy of real muscles car(more precisly pony cars but whatever).
 

cardude

Founding Member
Apr 20, 2000
221
0
0
Portland, OR
Mar 16, 2004
#7
  • Mar 16, 2004
  • #7
good to hear that a pony is coming back to life. a word of advice (i have felt this many many times) dont give up, and when you feel frustrated take a few minutes or days to re-asses the situation.
 
G

GaPonyFarm

New Member
Jan 2, 2004
663
0
0
Columbus, GA
Mar 16, 2004
#8
  • Mar 16, 2004
  • #8
The first thing to do is get fired up on doing the project. The best place to do that is to drive up to Nashville during the 40th birthday celebration of the Mustang!!!!

April 14th - 18th. You'll see thousands of Mustangs and be able ask a million questions.

Its an easy commute from Birmingham!
 
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