Restoring a 1969 428 CJ R code Mach 1

[mrtinman 11]

Hello,  this is the project I'm working on.  its a 1969 Mach 1 Cobra Jet R Code.  The factory color is #45 Silver Jade Paint, Ford #3230-A.. According to Marti report its one of 2 option this way.   ( 428 Auto Trans)  as I add more and more info I will list everything.   The Photo's your seeing are the way I purchased the car in 1991,  spent a few weekends with my friends drag racing it (14.01 to 13.99) that was back in the late 80's and the rumor was if you wanted a good time slip race in Spokane because the clocks were fast.  ( I have no idea if that is true or not and really don't care I have a 1969 mustang 120,000 miles and a 13.99 time slip.

 

I'm doing all the work myself,  (a few friends stop by now and then and I sucker them in holding a door or helping out) 

 

I'd doing a full rotisserie restoration.  since I don't have a rotisserie i just moved my hoist outside to sandblast the undercarriage and paint it.. 

 

I started this project 3 months ago, so I have some photo's to catch up on,  but I just found this web site and wanted to share my restoration project and I'm very willing to take any advice !!!   I don't do this for a living so if someone has a great idea I would appreciate you passing it on. 

 

More photos and more of the story to come..  The photos your seeing now are just before I started the project

 

Thanks for looking 

 

Tracy Popham 

Clarkston Washington 

[70Nightmare 20]

Welcome and the car looks solid.

[RPM 1,190]

Welcome to the forum Tracy. Heck of a car you've got there, I do like the R codes. Carefull with the sand blasting, I'd hate to see damaged panels. 

[Ash 145]

Definitely looks like a solid start. Looking forward to seeing some more pics.

[mrtinman 11]

Thanks for the good words,  and yes on being careful on the sand blasting.  I only did that on the undercarriage and engine compartment .   I was amazed how rust free the car was.  ( few shots of the floor boards, I did no cleaning that is how they looked with carpet came out) .   I was very lucky to find this cobra jet this clean.   Tomorrow I will put photo's on I had to replace to radiator core support, (ouch)

[mrtinman 11]

Here is the undercarriage painted DP90,  Tomorrow i'm going to finish a couple of little things and DP90 the engine compartment.,,,  Where do all the hours go !  I should be out working on it now but I'm exhausted !! and heading to bed.   

 

Everyone have a great night !  I have already pulled the black tape, and spun it around so front it facing out.  just did not have those pictures downloaded.  Get the steering box and rods pulled off and keep your fingers crossed I will have it all black tomorrow night.. 

 

Cheers 

Trace 

[Ridge Runner 1,112]

Nice solid R code .My R code should be done in about 20 years . 

I owned a 69 R code ,Silver Jade 4 speed car in the 80s  .I also had a gulf Stream Aqua R code auto ,with white interior along with a Black Jade R code . My current R code is Calypso Coral .

You are doing great so far ,i don't like to sand blast the outer sheetmetal because it can cause it to warp.I usually sand it off .

[mrtinman 11]

Agree, I have just sanded my outer sheet metal with DA or by hand ,  but I was happy to blast the firewall,  I don't use sand been using a product called greendiamond ,  almost no dust and very easy on metal. ! 

Ridge Runner sounds like you've had some nice cars (so in the 80's was the silver jade considered a cool color,??    We have all seen green's get popular and then not so much. 

 

I had epic fail today,   ended up working tell 5,  did more prep on the car,  wanted to get the suspension off and on jack stands but did not get it done tonight.    But  tomorrow I will have photos posted like that. !!!

 

Good night all !!!

[mrtinman 11]

Finished pulling the front suspension, got brake line pulled, E brake line pulled out and springs and Rear End out.  Another day or two of cleaning and I will be ready to finish putting the car in DP90.

I'm saying all those exciting words with you get to this point and find NO rust,  Yeah,  great,  happy, ecstatic, ...   I done other car where I used different word LOL

[mrtinman 11]

Pulled the Dash , steering column, even my wife helped out.    Got all new wiring ordered from CJ pony parts,  I was looking as their pre-cut sound deadening material ($850) looks like nice stuff.   This was today's progress.

[RPM 1,190]

Nice progress. It's always good to find metal and no air after blasting. Nice to have a wife/girlfriend in on the project.

 

So another Silver Jade Mustang to depress me :(  My original color was Silver Jade but when I bought it in 1989 the 4th or 5th repaint was a red. Saw a 911 painted India/Indian red and fell in love. My last paint job after soda blasting was Indian Red also. Now I've got painters remorse, wishing I'd gone with Silver Jade.

[mrtinman 11]

More sanding under dash,  decided to paint dash and front with DP90black along with engine compartment and truck,  then top coat.

[mrtinman 11]

Its been it's been while but i have been working,  the entire car is sealed and primed and ready for Paint inside and out, but my darn helper thinks his anniversary is important,    So tomorrow we paint the entire inside of the car (yes i know its a waste of paint base coat clear coat paint code 45 ..

 

Thanks for looking

 

Cheers

Trace

 

PS>    Please let me know on your undercarriage are you leaving them a flat DP90 or top coating with a chassis black which has 20% gloss ???? 

[69MC 14]

Wow!! Amazing job!!

[Raven R code 281]

Looks like we are doing the same car at the same time! What plant did your car come from? My car was built at Metuchan. We might be able to compare notes. My car looks to be as equally rust free too (except for a few pin holes here and there). Do a search on "Aquarius" , that's my baby.

 

Dave

[MustangBobby 28]

It's nice to finally find someone close by. Anyway, nice project.  Mine was also originally Silver Jade.  Keep the pictures coming.