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Full Version: Been Awhile... '71 Rustang
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(11-23-2018, 02:45 PM)JTS71 Mach1 Wrote: [ -> ]Sounds like some great times. I like the Candy Red 69 next to your's, I'm surprised by how much larger the 71 up body really is. I had always known it was larger, but dang it. 
Curious other then the fact the hood graphic is glossy, and they came more of a satin black. I don't see a problem? Maybe I'm just blind???  Confused

JTS

I also quickly picked up the size  difference the two car.  The wheel base for the 71 Mach 1 is 109 and 69 is 108.  The length for the 71 189.5 and the 69 is 187.5 so the 69 is a smaller car but not by much.
Thanks for the kind words, guys!

The TuTone black out on the hood is sitting back about an inch too far.  The simple instructions on the template said to place the leading edge of the template against the forward edge of the hood molding, assuming that the painter would be adding the TuTone after the car had been painted and reassembled.  My painter painted the entire hood in black (along with the rockers) before laying down the light pewter body color - with the molding painted off the car, along with the fender caps, quarter caps, mirrors, etc.  Because of that [backward] method, the template was actually reverse of what it should've been... so, he used the template as a guide of where to stripe and mask off the black when spraying the body color.  Bass-ackwards, to be sure.  As a bonus, when I got to the shop (he called me with some concerns), he'd also lost all concept of 'center line,' and place the template about an inch too far to the passenger side - and it was already stuck down (it's one of those that if you peel it back up, it'll distort beyond re-usability).  So, I basically laid out the edge on the driver side to match the passenger side by using some 1/4" green masking tape.  To which, he went in behind me the next day with two strips of 1/4" tape to make the 1/2" gap between the main black and border stripe, and masked off the black portions to lay down the body color.  Then clear coated the whole thing.

I'd also asked him to clear coat the TuTone since it's so stinkin' hot here in West Texas, I didn't want the paint to get sunburned and faded like I see so many black cars around here.  You can't wax the matte finish without messing it up, after all.  The factory application was actually a semi-gloss paint (that nobody seems to produce anymore), but since you're not supposed to wax it, it typically flattens out over time.

As for the size difference - that is totally an optical "dillusion."  Yes, my '71 is a few inches wider (for better handling and big blocks), and I believe about 3 inches longer overall, but it's also about an inch-and-a-half shorter (height-wise).  After careful scrutiny of both body styles (trust me, it's been a long road defending against all of the VMF guys regarding how 'huge' the '71-'73s are compared to the earlier models), the most noticeable difference is the nose treatment.  The '69 has a tapered front end, where as the '71 has a squared-off front end (just like the '69-'70 Shelbys, coincidentally, thanks to Bunky Knudsen's affection for the '67-'69 Camaros).  I've got a few pics that help put the size difference in perspective that I'll share in another thread - should be an interesting conversation. ;)

I admit that I've kind of grown fond of the term "Clydesdale" over the years, though.  LOL!!

That '69 is also one of my favorite cars in the San Angelo car scene.  Benny's a really cool guy, and he's actually the original owner - he had it painted several years ago and has done some really cool stuff to it along the way.  It wasn't a Mach 1, just a really cool 302 Sportsroof/Fastback.

I just met the guy with the '82 GT on the other side - it's a VERY cool car and he's done a lot of cool stuff to it as well.  I love the Fox-bodies since my first car was an '82 hatchback.  When I saw him pulling up, I had him park next to me to establish a 'Mustang Row' of a sort.  We were the only Mustangs there that day, however.

It was a decent turn-out, and we had fun helping out the Toys For Tots effort.
(11-24-2018, 03:27 AM)Mister 4x4 Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the kind words, guys!

The TuTone black out on the hood is sitting back about an inch too far.  The simple instructions on the template said to place the leading edge of the template against the forward edge of the hood molding, assuming that the painter would be adding the TuTone after the car had been painted and reassembled.  My painter painted the entire hood in black (along with the rockers) before laying down the light pewter body color - with the molding painted off the car, along with the fender caps, quarter caps, mirrors, etc.  Because of that [backward] method, the template was actually reverse of what it should've been... so, he used the template as a guide of where to stripe and mask off the black when spraying the body color.  Bass-ackwards, to be sure.  As a bonus, when I got to the shop (he called me with some concerns), he'd also lost all concept of 'center line,' and place the template about an inch too far to the passenger side - and it was already stuck down (it's one of those that if you peel it back up, it'll distort beyond re-usability).  So, I basically laid out the edge on the driver side to match the passenger side by using some 1/4" green masking tape.  To which, he went in behind me the next day with two strips of 1/4" tape to make the 1/2" gap between the main black and border stripe, and masked off the black portions to lay down the body color.  Then clear coated the whole thing.

I'd also asked him to clear coat the TuTone since it's so stinkin' hot here in West Texas, I didn't want the paint to get sunburned and faded like I see so many black cars around here.  You can't wax the matte finish without messing it up, after all.  The factory application was actually a semi-gloss paint (that nobody seems to produce anymore), but since you're not supposed to wax it, it typically flattens out over time.

As for the size difference - that is totally an optical "dillusion."  Yes, my '71 is a few inches wider (for better handling and big blocks), and I believe about 3 inches longer overall, but it's also about an inch-and-a-half shorter (height-wise).  After careful scrutiny of both body styles (trust me, it's been a long road defending against all of the VMF guys regarding how 'huge' the '71-'73s are compared to the earlier models), the most noticeable difference is the nose treatment.  The '69 has a tapered front end, where as the '71 has a squared-off front end (just like the '69-'70 Shelbys, coincidentally, thanks to Bunky Knudsen's affection for the '67-'69 Camaros).  I've got a few pics that help put the size difference in perspective that I'll share in another thread - should be an interesting conversation. ;)

I admit that I've kind of grown fond of the term "Clydesdale" over the years, though.  LOL!!

That '69 is also one of my favorite cars in the San Angelo car scene.  Benny's a really cool guy, and he's actually the original owner - he had it painted several years ago and has done some really cool stuff to it along the way.  It wasn't a Mach 1, just a really cool 302 Sportsroof/Fastback.

I just met the guy with the '82 GT on the other side - it's a VERY cool car and he's done a lot of cool stuff to it as well.  I love the Fox-bodies since my first car was an '82 hatchback.  When I saw him pulling up, I had him park next to me to establish a 'Mustang Row' of a sort.  We were the only Mustangs there that day, however.

It was a decent turn-out, and we had fun helping out the Toys For Tots effort.
 
Eric,

I agree with you the picture is more of an optical illusion.  Actually, based in the specs the cars are not that much different in size.  Hell, I can park my Fairlane next to those cars and they both would look like Porsches. 

In regards to your hood I would leave it as is. All cars have flaws that no one notices until you point them out.  Although, there are the guys who go to the car shows that like to pick apart other peoples cars and they are usually the guys who never lifted a wrench on their own cars.  I would leave your car the way it is a drive it until wheels fall off.

Mike
That's the plan, Mike.  I just hope the painter's work decides to cooperate with me for many years to come.  I know there's a bit of bondo here and there, and honestly: I don't care, because after all this car and I have been through, "shiny and driving" is good enough for me.  The fact that we're picking up accolades here and there is just butter cream icing on a very nice cake.  If (when) it comes time to freshen up the paint, I'll make sure it's done right... until then, I'm thrilled beyond words that I have a running H-Code '71 Mach 1... even though it's not a rare or collectible car, it's worth more to me than a pristine Boss 429.
... And, we're back.  "Winter" has been OK, but not really conducive to working on the Mach 1 or getting it out for a drive.  Still, Frank fired right up after a long nap in the garage (had to let the carb re-prime before cranking it over, though - glad I installed that electric fuel pump!) - I'm still an Edelbrock fan, that's for sure.  

Yesterday, went out to a local car show.  Had a great time and a good turn-out - it was a benefit show for one of the Corvette club members recently diagnosed with cancer.

[Image: 20190323-01-1024x682.jpg]

[Image: 20190323-02-1024x682.jpg]

Here's a link to the pics of the cars that showed up: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenhor...537287935/

Hope everybody's been doing well!
Went out to another car show - around 90 cars, no award (no biggie, though - had a blast even though it was 95 and no shade).

Got home, parked in the driveway under the carport and went into the house for a few.  Went back out to put Frank back in the garage, hit the key and the starter did its usual chug one revolution and drug down to nothing, but didn't recover and spin normally to start... then just buzzed.  I figured it was heat soak, since it normally does this after I've driven it around awhile, so I let it sit for a few hours and cool down.  Just went back out and hit the key, and it just buzzed.  So, I think the starter's toast - I hope it's just the starter, anyway.

Fortunately, these cars aren't nearly as heavy and bloated as everybody thinks they are, so I had my wife steer into the garage while I gave it a push (we have a slightly inclined driveway, probably 2-3 degrees under the carport, but more like 6-7 at the end).  Fortunately, a quick shove and Frank's back in the garage, safe and sound.

I guess I'll swing by O'Reilly Auto Parts sometime this week and pick up a new one, then swap it out next weekend or something.

Here are the obligatory poser pics.

[attachment=12932]

[attachment=12933]

Here's a link to the flickr photo album my pal Stephen Horton took from the day.  Lots of cool cars... lots of sunburned folks, too.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenhor...VVvWNxHReo
Why don't you invest in a high torque starter?  Like something from Powermaster and not some imported junk.  Orielly's is not a good source for quality parts.  If you want to walk into a parts store Napa is my first choice.
(06-17-2019, 12:33 PM)1969_Mach1 Wrote: [ -> ]Why don't you invest in a high torque starter?  Like something from Powermaster and not some imported junk.  Orielly's is not a good source for quality parts.  If you want to walk into a parts store Napa is my first choice.

One of the guys at 7173Mustangs offered the same advice... and I took it.  Got a nice hi-torque starter on the way.  Besides, O'Reilly didn't have anything in stock anyway - new, reman'd or otherwise.  I figured, "Wait a few days for the same-ol' same-ol', or wait a day or two more for something better."

Advice noted, and taken.  Thank you, Sir!  [Image: drink_to_that.gif]
Knowing where your Mach 1 has come from, I am always fascinated to see how good it looks.

Well done and thank you for sharing the link to the other pictures.
Thanks, Steve!   Drink_to_that

Last Sunday:  Well, it turns out my 'starter' problem was more of a weak battery issue.  I hadn't realized that the battery was over 6 years old (they don't last that long around here).  After spending a few weeks dreading having to crawl under the car to swap out the starter motor in 100+ temps, I figured I'd grab another starter solenoid (since the one on the car right now came from a buddy's truck when the one I'd bought was bad out of the box).  While I was at the O'Reilly's, I thought about the battery situation and decided to bite the bullet and grab an Optima Red Top (they didn't have any yellow tops).  I got home and swapped out the batteries, figured I'd hit the key just for fun, and it fired right up - the starter sounded just as strong as ever (no lag... must've been the battery all along).

This morning I went out to the garage, put the key in the ignition, turned it, and it fired right up.  So, I took it over to Cars & Coffee and had some breakfast while hangin' out with my car-guy buddies.

[attachment=12943]

[attachment=12944]


Wow - someone needs to tell that old fat guy to lose some weight and quit setting his drinks on the windshield washer bottle.   Loser
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