November 22, 2005
The Damage done...
1974 Mustang II Mach I
12 years since I last fussed over it and cleaned it's whitewalls with a toothbrush and laid on coat after coat of wax, Johnny is showing his age. The people I sold it to didn't put a whole lot of miles on it, but in this case it's not the mileage, it's the years. Specifically years of sitting unprotected in the hot Eastern Washington sun. The flash pictures of the car look bright and shiny, but pictures taken without flash show the real story a little better. The paint is badly oxidized, and worn away entirely in spots.
Apparently the car had an accident on the rear passenger side at some time in the past (probably before I bought it the first time). The repainted area held up better than the factory paint in the sun. That rear quarter is still 6C yellow-gold, the rest is faded and pale.
And then there's the rust. Luckily it's only in a few places, under the trim, down low where rocks chipped it, and on the hatch, which just needs help. Major help. These pictures make it look good compared to how it looks in person!
The engine bay is filthy, and there have been generations of critters living in it. Lots of the eight-legged variety (my least favorite!) and everything is covered in a thick layer of oily filth. Someone removed the AC unit since I sold it.
But under it all is the undisturbed 2.8L V6. Believe me, it should have been disturbed years ago. It's been leaking and burning oil since before I bought it the first time! I intend to clean up the engine bay quite a bit, so you can find the engine under all those hoses. I have to say, after building the 302, and driving 5.0L mustangs, I think that V6 is the cutest little thing I've ever seen. It's going to be awesome.
Inside is actually in really good shape. It will be the last thing that gets worked on, mostly because it's in such good shape to start with. I shouldn't have to hunt for too many parts. There's a little wear on the armrests, and the speaker grills are missing.
In the back the carpet is torn up, and someone added speakers. I don't object to the speakers, I'd just like them to blend in a little better. The carpet is a thick shaggy type, and it has faded to dark green where the sun hit it most.
But the seats are in good shape, except for one tear on the driver's seat. To be period correct to 1987, it will need sheepskin covers ;)
The dash looks good, except for the woodgrain peeling off the dash bezel on the passenger side, and the glovebox is messed up inside. The liner is shoved back under the dash. The headliner is torn in the back passenger corner as well. The seatbelt shoulder belts were cut by the original owners.
So, overall, I'd say it's in pretty good shape. The major work will be the body and paint, followed by the engine rebuild to stop all the leaks and get it running again. Then new bushings for the suspension, new springs and shocks, new exhaust system (aluminized this time, I think), and of course new tires. The rally wheels are rusty but I hope they'll turn out presentable with a little work. It just wouldn't be right without the rally wheels. The center caps were hard to find 15 years ago, I imagine they'll be very hard to find now! Then I can get those interior bits and pieces taken care of, new carpet, fix the details. It's going to be wonderful.
Apparently it quit running years ago, which is why it sat unattended in the owners yard or driveway for many years. In a way that was good, because it hasn't really been damaged much since I last owned it, just time and the elements have worn it down. I expected much worse, heck, I expected to find it in a junkyard with it's front end cut out for some hot rod! So I'm very happy to have it home, and in such excellent, restorable condition. I did not even flinch to hand over the money for it, and every time I see it in the garage it makes me smile. Just think of how beautiful it will be when that engine roars to life again someday!
stefrobrts@stephanies-mustang.com