Mach 1 Club

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Hello,
My name is Todd and my 14 year old son, Alex, and I just bought a 1972 Mach 1. We bought it for him to be his first car because he wanted a mustang for his first car and I wish I could have when I was a kid so I wanted to help him make it happen. I have always loved the early mustang line of cars. He has been saving since he was 12 and my wife and I have been matching him dollar for dollar. Recently a cousin of my wife's put one up for sale and we hadn't seen anything close to what he was selling it for that was in as good a shape so we decided to "loan" the rest of the money to my son.
We are planning on doing as much of the repairing and such as possible together. I want to do this with him to keep involved with him as he gets older and equally as important so he has time and effort invested in the car and will treat it with importance. Something earned is more valuable than that which is given and all that jazz.
Unfortunately I am not a car guy and not a mechanic so I thought I would stop by here sign up and ask endless noobie questions. (Hint hopefully this is where you guys come in)
If this is more of a talk shop for experienced owners and enthusiasts please let me know and I will stop.

We bought a metallic green with silver hood scoop/front spoiler. I am under the belief this is the original paint because the Wikipedia pic is the exact same and it has all the decals. The paint is in good shape except the clear coat is coming off. It also has some bubbled paint from rusting along the bottom parts of the fenders. The trunk pan is in bad shape rusted through in lots of places, but the piece that sits on top of the engine and holds the air filter (Told you I am new) was in there. There are three noticeable dents and the rear spoiler is cracked across the rear edge of the wing. I am sure there may be a few dings I haven't noticed yet, but as much as I hate to think about it my kid will probably add a couple once he gets it. There is also a hole where the driver wiper arm came out due to rust.

It was a 2 barrel 351 Cleveland with a 3 speed manual but they put an aluminum 4 barrel intake on it (not sure if that all that was needed to make it a "4 barrel" or if there is more to be done) and a 4 speed Hurst shifter in. Aside from that and some window tint it is still stock to include those ugly hub caps. He also gave me another hood which was for a ram air (Ours isn't) which doesn't have the flapper assemblies or the pieces for the hood pins because the hood on the car has several rust spots on the under side of it.
The car has sat for a few years for the most. It still starts and runs and the transmission is good.
I don't intend to restore it to original condition opting instead to make it cool for my son and be a driving car. I will try and add some pictures, but I will have to figure how to get them online so I can link them.
[attachment=9636][attachment=9636]
Thanks,
Todd

Forgot to mention we are in Ardmore Oklahoma which is in southern Oklahoma on I 35.
T
Welcome to the club, this is a great place to get help and learn about Mach 1 Mustangs. Most of us are not experts but each has some knowledge to share. I have a 69 so no help on the 71-71 models. However there are several here with 71-73 Mustangs that should be able to answer questions.
Welcome looks like a clean start!

Welcome3
Welcome to the sight. It looks like you found a great father and son project with a lot of potential. I agree with you 100% about keeping your son involved in the process so the investment in end product is treated in a responsible manner and with appreciation of the work performed. Like the other gentlemen said, there are enough members here to provide resources to answer most of your restoration questions. Good luck with the project and keep the pictures coming!
WELCOME FROM YOUR NEIGHBOR NORTH ON I35 IN IOWA. I DID MY FIRST CAR WITH MY DAD AND STILL OWN IT NOW. HAVING TO HELP PAY THE BILL MADE ME APPRECIATE THE CAR MORE AND TOOK BETTER CARE OF IT. PLUS I HAVE SOMETHING I DID WITH MY DAD WHO IS NOW GONE SO I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THOSE MEMORIES. LOOKS LIKE YOU FOUND AN EXCELLENT START FOR YOUR PROJECT. GOOD LUCK TO YA Biggrin
Thanks all for the welcome. You guys may need a whole section for stupid noob questions, but I will work on those elsewhere.

T
Welcome Todd,

It is great to hear that you son has a love for the Mustang. It looks like you all have found a good starting point.

The upgrade to the four barrel intake will help the overall performance of the car. The upgrade to a four speed was also a good upgrade.

The pealing clear coat would say that the car has been repainted at some time in it's life but it would be hard to find one that hasn't.

Don't be too harsh on those ugly hub caps - they are actually a much sought after cap! Probably not in everyones taste but they can really stand out on the right application.

Glad to have you here with us. We enjoy helping others with the same passion.
Welcome to the site from Virginia! Looks like car is a great candidate to fix up.

I agree with Steven about the paint, the 71/73 Mustangs did not come from the factory with clear coat paint. It does look like an original color.

Also as Steven said, a lot of folks like the trim rings and hub caps. My 73 Mustang Convertible came with those as an option. I switched to the Sports Hubcaps and eventually to the 73 Aluminum Wheels; although sometimes I wish I had kept the trim rings and caps.

Feel free to ask any questions here, no such thing as a dumb question.