| This is my '68 Mustang. It's hard for me
to believe, but I've owned this car for twelve years. When I bought it, it
was about ready for the crusher. Like most Mustangs of the era that spent
time in the salt belt, it was very rusty. Thanks to the plethora of
reproduction body panels available for vintage Mustangs, getting it back into shape was a
simple matter of replacing the rusted panels. Well.... maybe not so simple. The car is basically stock, with a few bolt-on modifications, the
most visible of which are the Ronal R-9 wheels. Behind them are Granada front disc
brakes and a Versailles 9" rear (with disc brakes). Under the hood is a 302
with a 4-barrel carb (code "J" in the VIN), backed by a C-4 automatic and a
3.00:1 axle ratio. Although it is easily outrun by my '95 GT, it's no slouch.
Like my '95 Mustang, this one is also painted an unusual color: Gulfstream
Aqua.
It took a little while, but I managed to turn the rusted
hulk at at the top into the very presentable driver-quality Mustang above. It was an
intense project, 16 months from purchase to first drive, but it was worth the effort. I
was 19 at the time, and there are many things I would do differently today, but I think
most people who have resurrected a car will say the same thing.
Below are some 'before' and 'progress' pics.
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A previous owner attempted to repair the rusted quarter
panels and wheelhouses with aluminum sheets and plastic filler. The same
'repair' was attempted on the trunk floor panels. |
 |
A view of the front passenger side 'floor'. The
structural members were badly rusted. Note the bondo on the rocker panel |
 |
About 1/2 way through the process. The sheetmetal
has been replaced, and body finishing work is underway. |
 |
No more "Flintstone-mobile." |
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The finished product on display at the 1996 Carlisle
All-Ford Nationals. |
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