rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 This 1969 Mach 1 was bought new by the current owners Aunt who was a school teacher in West Virginia. It has a 351 with a 3 speed manual transmission. The current owner bought it in 1992. Looks pretty good in the photo. Around 10 years ago he quit driving it when he noticed this rust around the power steering bracket. He did tell me a few years ago he did take it out for a short drive. The owner starting taking it apart and had it delivered to us. I noticed around the quarter scoop hole that something was going on. It looked like they had put a quarter patch on. This is what we found. They had a quarter skin over the original rusted out quarter panel. 2 CedAbedaPep and Andrewpync reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stangnet33 88 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Rusty it's great to have you bring this project over here !! Can't wait to see your guys great work here. Amazing what people do when working on their cars, body or mechanical. That has to be one of the better ones though ! I haven't looked on there yet ( SPIusers forum) but would imagine you're going to us SPI products ? So what are the plans for this one ? Good luck ! Edited August 16, 2014 by stangnet33 spell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harlan69mach 21 Report post Posted August 17, 2014 Very interesting story on the Mach 1. My wife was a school teacher when she bought her new 69 Mach 1, same color and 351, 3-speed. We got married in 71 and still have the Mach 1. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 17, 2014 This is the left rear frame rail Right wheel well Front frame rail The top of all the fender aprons look like this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 18, 2014 This is inside one of the shock towers Since the floor and frame rails were so bad we ordered this from Thoroughbred. Dynacorn parts that have come in We made a jig with the stock suspension points and correct dimensions to build the car on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted August 18, 2014 Wow! Quite the undertaking. Is that the definition of trickle down economics? It's nice that there are folks willing to tackle these projects. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 19, 2014 I'm not sure what was used for a patch in the wheel well The quarter panel was cut off Not much holding the outer wheelhouse Brian added braces before he cut the floor out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Protowrxs 111 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Going to be very cool watching this build take place! From the first pics it looked like it just needed a little POR 15 and paint - lol Amazing work already... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Brian has the floor cut out Needs new torque boxes I just had to show this again I was told by the owner that this was done at a Ford dealer in a small town in West Virginia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Brian wanted the shell sanded and epoxy primed before he starts to install. Almost ready for a couple coats of SPI epoxy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted August 21, 2014 Epoxy primed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rudolph Schenker 14 Report post Posted August 25, 2014 subscribed!:thumbup1: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted December 6, 2014 The inner rocker was removed and the inside of the outer rocker panel was epoxy primed The Thoroughbred floor was mounted on our jig and rolled under the body. Jacks were used on both ends. Once everything was level the body was attached with sheetmetal screws to the new floor. The old inner wheelhouses were left in place to keep the inner structure together and a reference point to line up the floor. We were surprised to find no rust in the cowl The cowl was sanded and epoxy primed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bryonbush 85 Report post Posted December 6, 2014 Always awesome to see total rust buckets being made into something Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jandj1970 13 Report post Posted December 6, 2014 A lot of work there, good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWPruett 83 Report post Posted December 6, 2014 While the work here is typically awesome stuff from Rusty and his guys, I can't make ANY sense of why anyone would tear into a car this deep when there is no particular pedigree to it. There are MUCH better cars out there to start with that would be far less work and end up being equal to, or better finish quality and value in the end. Makes my head spin, but more power to 'em! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SparkyGT 26 Report post Posted December 7, 2014 wow, my shelby isnt close to that bad for rust, and a normal fastback like mine wouldnt get done around here. there are still some fb's out in fields that need floors, and a 428scj fb that i have my eye on that has been hit hard in the pass door. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 333 Report post Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) While the work here is typically awesome stuff from Rusty and his guys, I can't make ANY sense of why anyone would tear into a car this deep when there is no particular pedigree to it. There are MUCH better cars out there to start with that would be far less work and end up being equal to, or better finish quality and value in the end. Makes my head spin, but more power to 'em! To a degree I agree. The work and skill level is unbelievable! I wish I had the shop space and equipment to take on a fraction of that! It's a Mach 1 which helps justify the build. This is not the first build I've seen on this site that is this extensive. Again I have to wonder who has the time and budget to take on a project like that. Plus, not much is remaining of the original car. So the end result almost seems like a different car than it was originally. I'm sure the finished car will be like new or better, wow! Edited December 7, 2014 by 1969_Mach1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWPruett 83 Report post Posted December 7, 2014 To a degree I agree. The work and skill level is unbelievable! I wish I had the shop space and equipment to take on a fraction of that! It's a Mach 1 which helps justify the build. This is not the first build I've seen on this site that is this extensive. Again I have to wonder who has the time and budget to take on a project like that. Plus, not much is remaining of the original car. So the end result almost seems like a different car than it was originally. I'm sure the finished car will be like new or better, wow! Yes sir! At the end of the day, I am just glad another old Mustang is getting saved from the crusher and done right. With just about every other liberty we enjoy under attack, anything that keeps the passion alive in another enthusiast is a good game in my book! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2014 The firewall, one piece wheelhouses and quarter panels were sanded and epoxy primed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted December 7, 2014 The old inner wheelhouse was removed New one was screwed in place Lining up the front end Test fitting the quarter panels Brian is attaching the taillight panel with screws The sheetmetal is lining up great almost ready to start welding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted December 9, 2014 It takes a lot of plug welds to weld the cowl back on. The frame is also welded to the floor pan frame extensions. Left side inner torque box screwed in place Right side inner torque box welded in place Outer torque box welded in place Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty428cj 14 Report post Posted December 10, 2014 Brian finished welding the firewall and torque boxes today Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bossed 10 Report post Posted December 10, 2014 Like always, beautiful work guys!!! :thumbup1: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jandj1970 13 Report post Posted December 11, 2014 Looks good, you blokes don't muck around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
