How to Replace the Front Fender Emblem (badge - nameplate) on 03 & 04 Mach 1

[Rare Pony]

We bought a Used 04 Azure Blue Mach 1 in September 2009 for my stepson. Although it was a 2004 model year with a March 2004 production date the front fenders had the Running Pony emblems instead of the correct 40th Anniversary emblems. The seller was not the original owner and was not sure why the 40th Anniversary emblems were not used. The front fenders were original and close inspection of the fender bolts revealed that they were untouched by a wrench and had never been removed from the car. So we surmised a previous owner preferred the Running Ponies versus the 40th Anniversary emblems. I have an 04 Oxford White Mach 1 with the same month production date and it does have the 40th Anniversary emblems as all 04 Mach's should have. We decided to replace the running ponies with the correct emblem.

I found a set of The 40th Anniversary emblems on eBay and won the auction at $22.00. A lot of the Buy-it-Now emblems were running $40 to $80 so I was happy to get a set new in their original packaging for this price.

Tools Needed:

Hair Dryer
Fishing Line
Cleaner such as Goo Gone
Strong Finger Nails!
Alcohol swab

Heat the emblem with the hair dryer and take the fishing line (some folks recommend dental floss. I tried it first but it kept breaking) and "saw" the adhesive pad behind and around the emblem. There are two plastic alignment posts on the emblem so you will have to work the fishing line around the posts.

Once you have cut through the adhesive pad you should be able to work the emblem loose and off with your fingers. One of mine was a little stubborn, so I used a plastic shim to pry the emblem loose being very careful not to scratch the paint.

Once the emblem is off heat the left over adhesive on the fender again with the hair dryer and spray with Goo Gone or other adhesive remover. I used my finger, fingernail, and a microfiber cloth to remove the adhesive (Alcohol also works).

Once the adhesive was off I prepped the painted area with McGuires Scratch Remover. Then I cleaned the area again with an alcohol swab so the new emblem adhesive would stick.

Applying the new emblem is easy, just peel the plastic off the adhesive pad and place the emblem posts into the two holes in the fender. No alignment worries.

Repeat process for the other fender.

WARNING: The emblems are specific for each side. Each emblem plastic adhesive cover is marked with a "R" or "L" for right or left. I think we have all seen an occasional Mustang with the fender emblem on the wrong side. Just remember the pony is always running forward towards the front of the car!


Correct emblem for a 2003 Mach 1, but incorrect for a 2004 Mach 1:





Emblem mounting area on front fender after removing Pony emblem and prepping for new emblem:



New 40th Anniversary emblem packaging:

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Notice the "R" on the plastic tab denoting for the right fender:



Side view of emblem to show thickness of adhesive pad:

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Finished!

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Now both our Mach 1's match!

[Mach 1 Club]