69/70 Mustang Build

[lead_magnet]

Okay guys, not gun related at all but I thought maybe a few of you might appreciate this none the less. About a year ago I purchased a 1969 Mustang Grande Coupe. I bought it for $500 with a clear Colorado title, with the intent of restoring it. Here is the original car:

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/8051/dscf6228a.jpg


It was just the empty shell, but there was ZERO rust or bondo on the entire car.

http://imageshack.us/a/img834/4894/dscf6233m.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img841/584/dscf6232i.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img88/1432/78634312.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img88/9154/dscf6230u.jpg

So the original plan was to build a coupe ... then plans changed...

[lead_magnet]

I later found a 1970 fastback that I bought with no title. After doing alot of research I decided, "what the hell" and went forward with plans to cut the roof and quarters off of the coupe, and swap it with the roof and quarters from the fastback. I currently have the roof and quarters cut off of the fastback, and I will be cutting off the roof and quarters from the coupe soon. Everyone wonders why I didn't just cut the windshield pillars, but the windshield on the coupe is at a different rake than the fastback and its a taller windshield. The floorpan is the same, though the 70 fastback I bought was totally rusted out, which was just another reason to go forward with my food transfer plan. I separated the body at the factory seams on the fastback, and will split the same seams on the coupe, then weld the fastback back in place on the roof. I've gathered doors, fenders, a hood and headlight buckets over the last couple of months and I now have a complete body of the car in my shed out back. Here are photos of the progress of cutting the roof off of the fastback. I'll post more photos as I go thought this, I just wanted to get you all caught up on where I was as of now. From now on, I'll post updates as I make progress. The roof is currently off of the fastback, and I will be cutting the roof off the coupe soon.

http://imageshack.us/a/img22/5318/cominghome12032012.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img9/4846/dscf6652v.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img14/3616/dscf6653m.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/4205/dscf6655wg.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img502/2172/dscf6656u.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/162/dscf6658.jpg

[Tinelement]

Look forward to watching it come together!!

[Awesom]

[omegalopez]

That is going to be one sweet ride....

[spleify]

Have fun!

[eg bter]

Nice, here is a pic of my Dad with the car we built

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/zxguy/541141_10151188018384621_456362250_n_zps0d957da7.j pg

And a shot of it sleeping
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/zxguy/newwheelpic21_zpsf6c6e6cb.jpg

[USAFGopherMike]

Nice. I have a cousin down in Texas that's built a few of these. I'll be watching for updates. *suscribed*

[splogan]

I have a 70 fastback in storage the was poorly redone and turned out to be a basket case. I don't know where my pictures are but jerrymrc may have some since the quarters were chopped off in his driveway. I am about half way done. 8-9k so far including the purchase of the car and all parts. Some day, probably after I retire

[splogan]

the avitar is from the day I brought it home.

[lead_magnet]

Splogan, I'd like to see pics of that if you still have em. So far I only have 2K invested in this build. $500 bucks for the 69 Grande, $500 for the 70 Sportsroof, and $1000 for the 4.6L , 5 speed man trans, bullit style wheels, calipers, suspension, wiring harness ect. out of a 2004 Mustang GT. that number will quickly rise though, I'm sure. As I'll have to change the 4.6L to a front sump configuration to work in the classic stang, as well as notch the shock towers among many other things.

Current state of the build: 70 roof and quarters are off, working on getting the 69 roof off, I'd like to get the 70 sportsroof back on the car within in the week, as I get the 4.6L next Sat.

http://imageshack.us/a/img248/2491/dscf6742.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img42/5757/dscf6741s.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img824/2112/dscf6740j.jpg

[USAFGopherMike]

great pics. Keep em coming. I can't wait to see the fab work in the engine bay.

[Slapps74]

You are a brave man!

[jerrymrc]

Splogan, I'd like to see pics of that if you still have em. Let me dig them out. When I saw the car @ 50' I went Uh-Oh. The drivers side was the worst. Both now have been done. I did one side and the sons did the other. I have to get the others and scan them in. This was the only only one on the puter. As you can see we took the grinding wheel to the lower to see how deep the bondo was.

The other side had a replacement but it was just laid on top and tacked. New outer wheelhouse was installed and some new trunk fillers as well. 21647

[lead_magnet]

Here is the coupe ready for the transplant. Decided to keep the 69 taillights, finally made up my mind. I like them a little more than the 70 so I'm using them.

http://imageshack.us/a/img541/5355/dscf6753t.jpg

Removed the 70 taillight panel from the upper half I took off of the '70
http://imageshack.us/a/img202/7580/dscf6754i.jpg

Here is where the A piller from the '70 matching up with where the '69 was. Notice that the referece point i used was the three door hinge holes that go though all the layers of the metal.
http://imageshack.us/a/img690/5083/dscf6757f.jpg

after tack welding the a pillar I mounted and test-fit both doors. I've got what looks to be correct gaps, so I'm thinking the new roof is sitting in the correct position
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/3869/dscf6759j.jpg

Everything looks to be aligned properly. Notice the seam at the A pillar, my cuts weren't perfect by any means so I have a bit of a gap to fill.
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/4052/dscf6758k.jpg

Here is where the roof meets the taillight panel. All looks good here.
http://imageshack.us/a/img198/669/dscf6760oc.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img255/8871/dscf6761n.jpg

Long way to go...

Now, the story takes a twist....

I purchased pretty much the entire driveline out of a SN95 mustang GT (1999-2004). I'm going to be using this engine and the 5 speed manual trans. I originally planed on using the stock suspension, but I saw this and decided. Fuck it, I'm mounting that SN95 suspension just as it sits here into the car. Yup. Thats right. Frankenstein would be proud.
http://imageshack.us/a/img835/4439/dscf6755n.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img580/685/dscf6756b.jpg

[Graves]

Damn! This is awesome!!

[sniper7]

Very interested to see how this turns out!

[palepainter]

Ya man, great job on that transplant!

[Jolly Green]

Nice work! Everyone needs a winter project like that!

[2XS]

This is going to be a awesome build keep us posted if need help with the mod swap check out modularfords.com there is a whole forum dedicated to swapping mod motors into just about anything especially foxboy mustangs and classic mustangs. I would post the swap there as there as well it will get a ton of support and feedback. Keep us updated dated it is a ton of work but very cool. Are going to leave the modmotor 2v or going to 4v any power adders or just na ?

[lead_magnet]

For now the 4.6 will stay just as it is. I'm not going to change a thing. It is near needing a rebuild, when that comes about I will probably do cams and some other things, I wan't to keep the daily drive-ability there, as that was my whole reason for going with a modern motor. Thanks for all the comments guys, I'll keep you updated for sure. I haven't been able to do much lately due to the weather, but very soon I'll be back to work at it.

[2XS]

When ready for a tune on it let me I will send the name number of a guy that tuned foxbody that knows modulars even better. Scott at p&p.

[lead_magnet]

Cool, I'm a bit down the road from there still, lol.

Okay folks, sorry it's been so long since the last update. There have been a few new developments, pics will follow shortly (need batteries for the camera, and daylight)

The body is just about all welded back together. I've removed all the front suspension from the car, and its about ready to start the hard part. Just when I started to wrap my head around this I saw a complete independent rear suspension out of a 2003 Mustang Cobra for sale on ebay. I bought the damn thing, so now it will be going into the car, or more accurately, I will be fusing it with this car. Should be arriving any day now. Then I was thinking, the mustang GT only had the 4.6L 2V engine...would be cool to the have aluminum block 4.6L 4V engine that the cobra had... Then I found a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII (complete running car) for sale in Denver, bought it today, lmao. The Lincoln Mark VIII was the first car ford ever put a 4.6 of any kind in. It just so happens, they all had the 4.6L 4V aluminum block 6 bolt main engine, same (almost identical) as the Cobra. Sooooooo, now the plan is, the 4.6 from the Mark VIII, the 5 speed from the GT, the IRS from the 03 Cobra and the 69-70 Franken-body.

Every time I think I'm in over my head, I think of the guy that built an AK out of a shovel. Then I think about how prior to 1930 or so, every car in this county was made by some illiterate European immigrant in a factory that didn't have a mig welder, plasma torch, modern materials or the vast knowledge of the internet.

I also feel it is necessary to reveal another stipulation I've put on myself for this build. I will not, I repeat, I will not contract the work out to someone else. I will do all the fabrication, bodywork, engine work, etc. myself. If it blows up....fine, I just hope I'm in it when it happens, lol. The other stipulation... no new parts (that aren't 100% necessary). I will buy as much as possible used, from random Joe's who have whatever part I need rusting away in their back yard. So far the cost break down goes likes this:

1969 Mustang Grande Shell (with title) .................................... $500
1970 Mustang Fastback Shell (no title)..................................... $500
1999 Mustang GT engine, suspension, trans, brakes, etc............$1000
2004 Mustang Cobra IRS .................................................. ......$1500
1998 Lincoln Mark VIII .................................................. ..........$1600
1969/70 body panels (bought from various farmers)
Trunk Lid..............................$40
Fenders...............................$50
Hood...................................$50
Headlight Buckets.................$20
Doors..................................$40
Rear Glass...........................$75

Total: $ 5,375
Not to mention welding wire, tools, time, blood, sweat, frustration, hahahaha... @#$E@$ when you sum it up, I should have bought a Honda Civic and gone about my business, hahaha! NEVER!

[USAFGopherMike]

What a f(&%n cool build. Can't wait to see the finished product. Kudos to you sir for your dedication and spirit.

[mrghost]

I love these kinds of threads. Looking forward to more!

[lead_magnet]

As promised... pictures
The car in its current state
http://imageshack.us/a/img855/6194/jy5g.jpg
Doors are lining up properly
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/2144/09m3.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/8323/f1go.jpg

Engine, tranny, suspension out of the 99 GT
http://imageshack.us/a/img268/2707/7zlr.JPG

The Mark VIII I just bought
http://imageshack.us/a/img15/5804/j7ps.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img28/4387/1kzn.jpg

The future powerplant
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/6885/79a7.jpg

[crob1]

I'm in awe of you. This is epic. I can't wait for more updates.

[palepainter]

Ya, this is going to be one sweet ride.

[Sawin]

WATCHING! This is going to be a fantastic adventure!
On related note, you and my father in law would get along great. He took two old Porsche's and made a one of a kind convertible, in very much the same fashion you're doing. He drove it, as did my wife (his daughter) for a few years, then sold it for quite a bit to a local collector. Best of luck to you!

[rondog]

Wow, this makes my piddly little Jeep restoration (that I'm stalled on) look pathetic, like a lawnmower rebuild.

If you want to get all the body parts media blasted when you get to that point, there's a place up here in Englewood called Blast Tech that specializes in auto parts blasting for paint and rust removal without damage. Good guy and reasonable prices. He might be able to make an appointment and do it while you wait so you wouldn't have to make two trips, you'd have to ask him. Or he might know someone local to you as well.

[lead_magnet]

August 7, 2013 Update:

I have purchased another Mustang to scavenge parts from, this time a 97. It runs and drives, bought it for $900, though it is a V6 model with a beat-up transmission. I will be harvesting the entire engine bay from that car and transplanting it onto the 69. I will also be using the rear frame rails from the 97.

The independent rear suspension (IRS) unit showed up and is now awaiting installation. I also purchased another set of wheels from a guy in Pueblo. They came with good tires, and I got all four for $250.
http://imageshack.us/a/img607/9749/pov4.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img585/7919/sw4k.jpg

Now I need to tear off everything forward of the firewall on both cars and fuse the SN95 engine bay, shock towers, radiator support and frame rails onto the 69 body. Then I'll fabricate my fender mounting locations so I can mount the 69 fenders to the 97 front end. I will probably fabricate a one-off firewall. I've also decided that I will be using the dash out of the S197 ('05-'09) mustang, with some modifications.


Just daydreaming a little bit...
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/5840/9r3e.jpg

I believe most of the parts gathering has been done, now it is time to start the re-building process. This is where the fun starts.

[sniper7]

Looking awesome!