Summer (of 69) Project

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

So the back story to this car is that I owned it 17+ years ago, but decided to give it up because my responsibilities changed and it wasn't practical at the time for my family (new father). Up until this point all the cars I owned were old and daily drivers AND I didn't have the money to get them into the shape I wanted. I had gotten into a fender-bender with the Mustang on the passenger's side and didn't have the resources to fix it. So I let it go to a father/son who were going to fix it up and restore it to former glory for the son.

Well that didn't happen and it sat outside for 7-8 years and things didn't improve. So I knew the older brother who then bought into it (half) with the intention of fixing it up slowly. He had his father-in-law do some of the work (fender, radiator support), but it everything came to a grinding halt when he suddenly pasted away. So it sat for a few years in the garage gathering dust and scratches. He then wanted to make the push to move forward and hired a custom shop to start work on it with brake, wheels and tires. All this time I kept tabs on it with the offer "let me know if you ever want to sell it."

So I get the call at the first of the year. Basically he's not going to finish it and needs to sell it. WOW! The opportunity to "fix" regrets doesn't come by very often, so I talked with the wife and she said go for it.

So that's the first part. Now I'm starting the journey for completion. I'll be posting up pictures and I move along and will catch up with the previous work and try to give a detailed list of what I have done and plan to do for those interested.

[Dave R. 85]

Opportunities like yours are rare. Good luck. Pictures of the progress would be welcomed.   Dave R.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Specs of the car (originally)

1969 Hardtop
351 Windsor 2V V-8 250hp (not sure it's original to the car, engine has AC mount)
Drum brakes
Raven Black paint
Black Vinyl interior 
FMX trans
2.80 rear axle

[Grenadier116 24]

Congratulations on getting your Mustang back. Finding a car you once owned years ago and actually being able to get it back is a big deal that doesn't happen often. I will look forward to following your restoration of it. Would like to hear more about the Mustang as well.

It took more than 30 years for me to get back my original '69 Mustang GT so I can really relate to your excitement.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

This is how I bought it back in January. Foose wheels, tires and disc brakes (with power booster). The engine was the same way I left it.

 

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Sitting outside for years, then sitting in a well used garage has not been kind to the car. Besides the fender bender in the front, rust has crept in all the usual spots, it sports some new dings and the paint is shot.

 

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

My plan is to complete as much of the work as possible by myself with the except of major work: paint and body/etc.

Plans for the build include:

Engine bay: new cooling system, EFI, updated wiring, valve covers, air cleaner, coil, overflow can, Monte Carlo bar.

Paint and body: fix all rust, replace, trunk lid, hood, hood scoop, side scoops, dechrome, racing mirrors, weatherstripping, maybe new color.

Lighting: all LED with updated wiring to handle it.

Interior: carpet, seats, panels, headliner (Mustangs to Fear?), delay wipers, steering wheel, shifter

Tranmission: AOD

rear axle: 3:50 gears

AND whatever else is left...

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

This was over a couple of weekends. I purchased all that was needed to rebuild the front-end only to realize that I didn't need to install everything if I was going to get the car painted. So I stopped at this point. I then elected to rebuild the front turn-signals instead of purchasing new ones. Then I rebuilt the shifter with new bushings, hardware and new chrome pieces.

[RPM 1,190]

Welcome to the forum. You a lucky dog! Seller's remorse is quite popular. Remember now, don't throw away any oe parts as somebody somewhere will want them. I'm pretty good with license plates, except yours. Beautiful area there in SC.

[stangnet33 88]

Welcome ! Great story, look forward to your updates and progress.  

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

So the last 2 weekends have been some pluses and minuses. I have been trying to diagnose the problem of the brake lights not working. The previous owner had a "custom" shop do the updates to the brakes and wheels. They did some "custom" work alright. They used some sort of new brake arm which had a modern brake light switch, which of course wouldn't work, so they drilled out the old switch to fit the new brake arm - which of course isn't going to work. So I replaced that and in doing so noticed a wire had shorted out that they just tied out of the way, or they caused the problem and moved it. Well after the new switch didn't fix it, I moved onto the headlight switch and found this...ugh. So now my new plan will be to rewire the car and in doing so, get the brake lights working as well.

 

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

So the pluses are that I worked on re-gluing the driver's window and working on the mechanism. Got the Monte Carlo bar installed and a few radiator overflow can. They finally replaced the turn signal arm and upgraded to the new steering wheel. WOW, what a difference from stock.

 

[Grenadier116 24]

Excellent photos of the work you've been doing. This is obviously one Mustang that has had a rough life but is in the right hands now. It should look great when you're done.

[MAC390 327]

Good work there, will look great when finished.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

So the electrical rewire took WAY longer than expected. And that has blown up my timeline in getting things checked off the list. Fortunately I had some progress this weekend. New exhaust system and started on replacing the bulbs with LED versions. The previous I got the driver's window installed.

I'm super pleased with the exhaust. The shop I used was great to work with my needs and wants and there attention to detail was superior.

 

IMG_3507.m4v

[RPM 1,190]

The exhaust looks like a nice job. Love the stance of your 69!

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Thanks! Oh ya I forgot. I added the lowering blocks to the back as well. I'm pretty happy with the stance. I will however need to work on the bump steer in the front at a later date.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

So I went to a restoration shop to get a quote on getting the bodywork and paint completed. They had some beautiful cars  and their process is great, but I can't justify spending 30k on this car for paint and body. They take it down to the bare metal and repair anything needed and seal it better than factory with a gorgeous paint job. But still in the end the car isn't worth the work they would do. So I'm off to another shop that hopefully will be within my price range.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Just got back from the body shop and it looks like we are a go! He is going to fix the problems and in the budget that can support the car. Now I need to get the parts list out to get them ordered this week.

[jjstang 51]

How much was their quote, if you don't mind me asking.

[Thin Lizzy 37]

Great job so far, stance looks good and love the colour.  But  that car needs some 15" Magnums or Cragars IMO, would look amazing!

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Cutting out/rust repair in the door corners,  and front and back corners of the rear wheels, a fix a couple of dents, replace the trunk and hood/hinge, replace the driver's side door hinges, replace front floor pans, install new rear window and gasket, and install AC. $2100-2300.00 for labor not including parts.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

Ya the previous owner chose those wheels. I might down the road (when the tires wear out) replace them with maybe the 17 inch aluminum magnums.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

oh ya, I also forgot that price included installing mach 1 hood scoop and the Shelby side scoops and figuring outing why there is a 1 inch drop on passenger side in the front as well

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

A lot of boxes have been coming in the past 2 weeks as I wait for the shop to get back from their vacation. Front floor pans, VintageAir AC, new dash, mach 1 hood scoop, Holley Sniper EFI with new tank, rear glass and other various parts for the work ahead. This weekend will be removing most of the interior for him to get to the work needed and for me to save some money.