My New 1970 Mustang

[onewhippedpuppy]

A while back I posted about getting my grandfather's 1970 Mustang convertible, a car with a lot of sentimental value now that he's gone. Original thread is here: Classic Mustang Resources?

I finally got around to snapping a few crappy camera phone pictures of the car, as it is still in storage. My 996 is gone but I need to finish some garage remodeling before I start another project. Hopefully within the next month it will be in my garage. I can't wait!

Overall it's a really solid car, no rust to be found. 44k (!!!!) original miles, original 302 2bbl motor (not rebuilt) and C4 automatic. Power front disc brakes are a big bonus. My grandpa was the 2nd owner, he's had it since 1978. It's been resprayed with a so-so job, it's a solid 10 footer and cleans up really nice.

[VINMAN]

Awesome Matt! Congrats That car has to be very special to you.

I'm Jealous.

[A930Rocket]

Great looking car!

I had a 69 fastback I bought from the original owner about 15 years ago. Sold it to buy a house. Wish I still had it...

[Joeaksa]

Looks nice!

So you are getting the car and the Bonanza? Sure wish I could have met this gent, sounds like one of us!

[Jim Bremner]

Make it safe and enjoy it. Today I saw a guy around 50 or so. He was out driving a '30 Ford roadster in nice shape. He made several trips around the block with one kid or another.


My Dad still has his 1940 ford coupe that I came home from the hospital in back in 1966. I'm in the will for that car. My Dad used to drive it every day till late 1976 or so. Now it only gets out for shows and a run down to donut derelicts every Saturday morn.


I do have found memories of him and this car.

[johnsjmc]

Saw your original thread. It appears to be a nice original car. My advice would be to keep it as original as possible and not change stuff like wheels ,engine etc. Detail under the hood,(all the original decals are available) You can even get a cover that goes over the battery to replicate the 60's style vent cap design. Perhaps an export brace ( bolt on using existing holes). Leave the rest alone. Enjoy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks guys.

Joe, sadly I've made the decision to not take the Bonanza. It's just not the right time of my life to own an expensive and complex airplane that needs updating and is close to TBO on the motor. As much as it sucks I need to focus my money on kids' college funds and retirement. On the upside, I will start flight training in April.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Saw your original thread. It appears to be a nice original car. My advice would be to keep it as original as possible and not change stuff like wheels ,engine etc. Detail under the hood,(all the original decals are available) You can even get a cover that goes over the battery to replicate the 60's style vent cap design. Perhaps an export brace ( bolt on using existing holes). Leave the rest alone. Enjoy.

I don't plan on making any substantial modifications that can't be reversed, but I'm also not going totally original either. While originality would probably better preserve the value of a low mileage car, I really don't care as I'd like to pass it down to one of my kids someday. Value only matters if you plan to sell it.

[RWebb]

tell us what changes you are planning

manual trans.??

I drove a very early white Mustang a few months ago, and it was a real blast from the past - it also had the auto. tranny which was not so great

[tabs]

Why don't you change out the motor and make that thing REALLY GO........FAST! I got a nice Ford 427 Center Oiler that will fit right in.... then you can play Carol Shelby all ya want...only thing though is I want to be able to buy some Life Insurance on ya...

[john70t]

Congratulations! Those panels are tight and your grandfather put some effort into it.
Keep it original.

[Hugh R]

+1 Keep it original. If you get new wheels, keep the originals. Drill no holes anywhere, not for any reason.

[Adam]

Awesome, Matt. That looks really solid - a nice car to begin with. I know how rare they are these days. Your roof looks to be in good shape and it's still got the two-piece glass window.

The 2bbl 302 is rated at about 200 or 220hp, I think. If tuned correctly and running nice, it's a very economical car. I drove my '69 (302ci/2bbl) from Woodland, WA to Eugene, OR and back and it stunned me with it's fuel efficiency. It was just a lovely cruiser, smooth and easy. If you wanted to tweak it only a little, you could get a 4-bbl and an intake, along with headers and dual exhausts. It would free up some more horses and bring a great exhaust note.

Here's my hoopty '69, outside of Hood River, OR before we took it off the road and pulled it all apart.



I know it sounds lame, but those old motors are super-smooth. Sadly, I sold my V8 (it was a bit smokey) and bought a 302 crate motor, but I'm keeping the C4. Mine's undergoing a major restoration and a color change.

But there's nothing wrong with them stock - they are a lovely car to drive and a decent 4-seater. Congrats - look after it!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

So you are getting the car and the Bonanza? Sure wish I could have met this gent, sounds like one of us!

I have had the opportunity to meet Matt, Joe, and he is the deal as I am sure his Grandfather was. Matt will make an excellent pilot.

Matt, that car is one I would own, top down on a Friday afternoon. I'm sure your whole family is going to enjoy it. Keep updates flowing...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Looks nice!

So you are getting the car and the Bonanza? Sure wish I could have met this gent, sounds like one of us!

Just another note Joe, he also had five Model A(s), 3 '30s Ford V8s, and over the years owned a bunch of different airplanes including several Bonanzas, at least one Cessna, and a Citabria. I spent a ton of time with him as a kid, so it's no wonder that I'm into cars and planes.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Regards the car, it's not as nice in person as it looks in the photos. The respray isn't fantastic, there's a lot of orange peel and overspray but it's still presentable as a driver. Here's a brief accounting of my plans:

Stuff to fix
Top has a couple splits in it
Rear glass window is held together with masking tape
All weatherstripping is shot
Door panels are discolored
Seat vinyl is splitting and discolored
Exhaust is rusted out
Brakes are borderline seized
Ignition is shot, jumping at the starter solenoid is required

The plan
Rebuild the brakes with all new booster, master cylinder, front calipers/rotors/pads, rear drum kit, flexible brake lines
New ignition
Replace the top, rear window, door panels, and seat covers
Replace the rusted exhaust with a original style dual exhaust (turn down tips)
I'm leaning towards "Old School" wheels by MB Wheels - Find MB Wheels Old School custom wheels by size
The wheel paradox is size, 15" are period look but 17" looks good without being too big
Modern tires as well, no bias-ply look for me
Rebuild suspension front and back with mild lowering higher rate springs, Bilsteins, and replace every bushing, balljoint, etc
Shelby front end mod
Monte Carlo bar and export bar for bracing
Drain and change every fluid
General tune up, add Pertronix Ignitor

The drivetrain is a bit of a question mark right now. I'd like to get away from the requirement to use lead additive, so new heads might be in the mix at some point. Ultimately I'd like to do some sort of power pack style upgrade package, Edelbrock sells some nice kits with a 4 bbl, intake, heads, and cam that are all matched. Maybe some headers and a C4 shift kit for good measure, we'll see.

[mixer911]

SWEEEEEEEEEET
I had one ,as rusty as it was I loved it,I loved the big clock on the pass side and the whole style.
I had more ...sorry kid friendly site

[mixer911]

just rechecked the photo ,no clock ,I love the radio and shifter enjoy

[Adam]

Matt, I went with a set of Magnum 500 wheels in 15x7 & 15x8 with modern rubber for mine.



I really wanted to go with something like a set of 17" American Racing wheels, but the gumby drum brakes would show through, so the Magnums won.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I considered Magnum 500 as well as Torq Thrust D, both look good on classic Mustangs. At least I have discs up front, so one end will look decent.