Everyone Loves a Swap Meet (What's Wrong with this Picture?)

For years I have been collecting parts in preparation for when I would restore the mustang.  Sometimes I was able to get just the part I needed, other times I had to take a few other items along the way (bulk sale only). Once my lovely bride opened a closet door under the stairs only to find it full of car parts, she has been very patient with me and hasn't gone near the closet since. Part of the issue has been finding space to lay everything out and inventory what will and what will not go back on the car.  Thankfully the body shop has plenty of room to help me do that. What's wrong with the photo above? Nothing really, just proof that I am finally selling some parts!  A big THANK-YOU to Don who let me use some table space at the swap meet.

Fixing A Hole Where The Rain Gets In...

The frame has been pulled back in line about a quarter of an inch on the front passenger side.  This allowed the apron to mate to the cowl and now the front radiator core support has been set and welded into place.  Take a close look at the photos above as a larger 1969 radiator has been stabbed and boy, does it look stock!  Just what the doctor ordered for a driver that likes to run the A/C in the 100 plus degree heat!  All the welds you see are to plug the many holes that were added over the years for miscellaneous junk screwed into the metal from the previous owner(s). The photo above does not do it justice, but the top of the fender apron is now straight and shaped correctly. The eighty percent perspiration in the body work will make the twenty percent effort in the paint look extraordinary! 

Straighten Up and Fly Right...

Measure, measure, measure and then measure some more! This week my welder has moved the car over to an adjacent building where he is building a jig to verify the frame dimensions.  He is very meticulous in the details of this car!  A little tweak here and there to the frame will make all the difference in the world when it comes time to hang the fenders and align the hood. Note the front core support has been tacked into place temporarily while he is checking the specs. Please disregard the driver's side fender, it was used for the photo op only and will be discarded as it has a bad headlight bucket.

The Beauty is in the Details

Several years ago while diagnosing another issue, I came across several wires leading to the rear of the car.  After further investigation, I learned these wires were part of a harness for back up or reverse lights! Unfortunately when the car was put back together decades earlier, someone left them out and used the wrong valance.  Well, I am happy to report that the reverse lights are coming back!  Also, note the driver's side tail light that will be adjusted by about a quarter of an inch.  The painter and welder are nick picky on the details and I love it!  This car has never looked better!

Even Godzilla Was Once Just a Little Lizard...

How many spot welds does it take to hold a fastback together? A lot!  The right rear quarter panel is now secure as well as the passenger side rocker panel and the door has been hung!  Thank you Craig for all your help, this car has never been straighter.  Now it's time to clean up the spot welds and move on to the floor pans.

Who's afraid of the quarter panel now, Virginia Woolf?

Last week I received several emails and phone calls concerning the lack of a right rear quarter panel on the Mustang.  I am extremely happy to report that Shane the welder has been working overtime to get this mocked up and installed properly. Who knew that there are over nineteen key points that have to be aligned properly in order for the trunk, floorpans, rear glass, doors, etc to work and Shane nailed it! Yabba Dabba Doo!  More photos soon, but my painter has informed me I can't spend the night in the shop and have to go home!

Thank Goodness For Assembly Manuals!

Okay, I admit it, I have been a little lax on some of my sideline projects with all this 100 + degree heat! Although I may not remember where every little nut, bolt or screw goes, I have a complete set of assembly manuals with exploded diagrams to help along. Trust me, these manuals are invaluable!