metalgraver 12 Report post Posted February 7, 2014 Ok, Iam one of those fools who paid to much for a car. I bought a 1969 Mach 1 last year thinking that it would not be to hard to finish, only to find out that I will need to strip it down and replace most of the sheet metal, rebuild the motor, replace the suspension and put disk brakes on it, new interior, new wire harness, new dash, new windshield ect. Then put a new paint job on it to finish it. I figure I will spend around $30,000.00 above what I paid for the car to do it right. So, since I will be spending the next several years and most of my money to do it, I thought I would start a build thread to show the progress from start to finish. I virtually know nothing about body work and very little about auto mechanic's. I did rebuild a 396 in my SS when I was in high School, pulled out a few transmission's and replaced the throw out bearings a few times, changed the oil and spark plugs a few times but that's about all the auto mechanic skills I have. So this will be a huge learning experience for me. I can weld, but have never welded sheet metal. As soon as I can figure out how to post a picture on here I will start posting them before I get to far along. I did find the right and left front pillars to replace the rusted ones on the car thanks to some one here giving me Scottys information. I have had the cowl and floors replaced by a shop in Houston, but after paying a chunk of money to do so, I will need to do all the rest of the body work my self. Stay tuned for updates.:thumbup1: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalgraver 12 Report post Posted February 7, 2014 Here are two pictures of the car when I bought it. Now this car looks pretty good in these pictures, but what you cant see is the fiberglass and bondo that these guys put in this car to make it look good. Also this car is all original so all of the suspension, motor, brakes and transmission are original. Like I said, the cowl and floors needed replacing. The quarter panels are rusted around the back windshield and lower panels, the front fenders where rusted and fiber glassed, the trunk floor is rotted out, the front of the hood was fiber glassed, the two front pillars on the right and left side of the glass up to the roof have rusted holes in them, the wiring was trashed and the so called rebuilt motor was painted and had a new manifold put on it, but that's it. It had no carburetor, no fuel pump, no drive shaft, no electronics and no starter. It will need new breaks, new suspension, new sheet metal all around, left shock tower has a crack caused from the holes some one cut in it to grease the upper arm, the right shock tower has two holes in it for same reason, the battery tray is totally rusted out. Basically the car is a total wreck. This is a lot more than what I originally wanted to get into but when Iam done I will know everything there is to know about these cars and I will have one bad asz car. I have already picked up a running 351W motor, T5 transmission and drive shaft out of a 1969 sports top. I also got an original shaker hood and shaker with the deal. I also have the right and left pillar from a parts car, so Iam well on my way. All I need to do is start tearing her down, blast what is left, order the rest of the sheet metal and start putting her back together. I will also be building my own rotisserie to put her on for the blasting and reassembly.:thumbup1: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalgraver 12 Report post Posted February 7, 2014 Iam getting everything up to date on what has been done so far. Here are some pictures of the cowling and floor replacement. This work was done by Gear Jammin Classics in Houston. I now have the car at home, up on jacks and have sarted on the disassembly of the front starting with the battery apron and front suspension. I think the best way to do this is to go ahead and completely take off all the sheet metal and pull out all suspension, put her on a rottisery and have her blasted and primerd before I start to put her back together. If Iam wrong please speack up, because like I have said, I have never done this before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flash69 10 Report post Posted February 7, 2014 Very nice work. I also live in Austin, TX. I just recently bought a 69 coupe to work on. We certainly need to get together sometime. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike65 476 Report post Posted February 7, 2014 metalgraver, My 69 Coupe has the same door post rot but on the drivers side in what looks like the same spot just below where the upper hinge bolts on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969vert 55 Report post Posted February 8, 2014 another texas car is going to live again...nice work.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
9RO1M 12 Report post Posted February 8, 2014 Nice work. If it weren't for people like you they would all be rustangs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted February 8, 2014 Make sure you take measurements before removing the apron. If my memory serves me (fat chance) the right and left firewall to radiator support distances are different. Good luck and have some fun. Damn I love Texas hill country! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmlay 80 Report post Posted February 8, 2014 If depends where the measurement is taken. If taken at the frame rail yes it is different. AT but if taken at the cowl it will be the same side to side. You can not take too many measurements!!! Adjustments will need to be made as all parts are a bit differnet, even the OEM stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bossed 10 Report post Posted February 9, 2014 Iam getting everything up to date on what has been done so far. Here are some pictures of the cowling and floor replacement. This work was done by Gear Jammin Classics in Houston. I now have the car at home, up on jacks and have sarted on the disassembly of the front starting with the battery apron and front suspension. I think the best way to do this is to go ahead and completely take off all the sheet metal and pull out all suspension, put her on a rottisery and have her blasted and primerd before I start to put her back together. If Iam wrong please speack up, because like I have said, I have never done this before. Metalgraver, welcome aboard, it's amazing how cars can look so good and be hiding lots of problems underneath. It's more common than not, but it's cool that you're gonna fix her right. I did want to ask about the floor pan repair, in the picture it looks to be tacked in. Did they weld it to the frame rail? I was jus wondering, it didn't look to be in the picture. Keep us posted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stangme428 33 Report post Posted February 9, 2014 welcome to the site.. lots of great resources!!! great builds to learn from also... glad you decided to save it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metalgraver 12 Report post Posted February 12, 2014 Hello Flash, I would appreciate having someone local who is also rebuilding a like car. Iam sure that we can bounce information off of each other and maybe a helping hand once in a while. Iam putting together my garage/shop right now with a compressor and welder. Once I get these up and running I will start pulling off the rest of the sheet metal. We should get together, I would like to see your car. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flash69 10 Report post Posted February 13, 2014 Hey Doug, I have a garage with a compressor and a pretty good assortment of SO tools. I am looking at buying a welder and learning to weld. I will send you a private message. Marty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexasEd 190 Report post Posted February 17, 2014 I'm in the area too. My next project will be the suspension. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
