checking the mach 1’s short

So in order to solve the problem why the Mach 1 had some smoke under the dash some time back we had to remove the dash with an electrician.

Now the thing is the ignition wire shorted. So it always pays to have proper wiring redone in your car. Call it insurance against car loss to fire.

These are some of the components that were removed. The dash itself as well as the instrument cluster. More complex compared to Sally’s. Must have been the height of technology back then.

busy day today

Haven’t had much time to do anything but run all over the place for work. Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about cars. That is why I love the weekend. It is a chance for me to take the Stangs out. However, tomorrow is re-wiring the Mach 1 day since she almost had a short. Smelled a bit of smoke under the dash and saw a puff so it was immediate stopping of the engine and removing the battery. I must get that on-board fire extinguisher.

Will take pics of the re-wiring process tomorrow so I can post later in the day.

the stangs of note – part 1

When it was introduced in mid 1964. Hence he 64 1/2 designation, the Indy 500 pace car was actually a Mustang convertible. Also, the movie Goldfinger featured an early Mustang convertible which James Bond’s famous Aston Martin slashed. It is widely debated whether this was actually a Wimbledon White or Phoenician Yellow sample. In actuality, Sally was originally Phoenician Yellow. A color available for 1964 1/2 Mustangs and eventually discontinued on Feb of 65. This gave way to the popular Springtime Yellow.

Some shots from the scene in Goldfinger below. Ford had to rush it for the shoot finding an example in Switzerland. Now is it white or yellow? Yellow with red interior? only in the 60s. But then again that was the beauty of the Stang. And the reason behind its marketing success. You could have it any way you want. Just tick off the spec sheet and place your order. It was truly a personal car. And the rest was automotive history. No pony car would ever come close.

By the way, one of Goldfinger’s most popularized characters was Pussy Galore. Though it wasn’t her driving this Stang.

which of the two is sexier?

the 1965 Mustang Convertible

or

the 1970 Mach 1.

Which of the two do you think will boost sex appeal?

cast your vote for the next american idol

Well at least we won’t have to contend with a Simon.

If you had to choose between these two cars which would you choose and why?

So who will be the next American Idol?

feels like some bizzare reality show

Weird how I was telling a fellow stanghead here, Cherrybomber, that it feels like I am in some strange reality show where there are two contestants – a 65 vert and a 70 mach 1 – vying for the attention of a pseudo “the Donald”.  Who will make it through and who will get the boot at this week’s episode of “the Stang Challenge”.

I am really drawn to both and find it a hard decision. Am wondering if a video clip will help add some life to this serial I am now caught in.

And weirdly enough I can hear each one talking to me. Have I totally lost it? These steeds seem to have a soul of their own. Can’t say the same for my car from the land of the rising sun.

beauty is skin deep

In getting Sally to where she is now she had to undergo much restoration surgery. No bondo was to be applied. Only sheet metal where needed so she could have the nice clean lines she had today. It is amazing at how you can actually feel she is tighter now compared to when she arrived. This was what she underwent before she would start to ride like a dream.

We had to make sure no rust was left. Rust is car cancer. It can however be cured. Through patience and perseverance. And doing so is so worth it.

difficult decision

After much thought it really is boiling down to choosing who should stay and who should go. I just can’y handle two cars at the moment. It is a choice between Sally and the Mach1. Weird I should say that. Well I like them both. Each is unique and has its own temperament. Yet I cannot handle two at the moment. o who do you think should stay and who should go. I am at a strange crossroad.

Mustang forever

Has there ever been a pony car. Or car for that matter, that stirred the soul of countless generations as the Ford Mustang has? What it did in the first two years of its inception was actually unheard of and possibly unparalleled. In fact, I was born three years after its first year of introduction to an unprepared yet incredibly ready public.

I have fond memories of our first family Stang. My dad’s 67 coupe. It seemed like he couldn’t stop talking about it. His first car was a Hillman. He wanted one of those sporty Triumphs yet opted for the more practical car. I suppose the Mustang allowed him to get the best of both worlds. And like many he was drawn to the coupe. The most popular body style. That was when we were living in Mexico City. I still recollect seeing that green beauty in the old foto albums de Familia (that was a poor attempt at Spanish).

Could he have chosen green pony since he was drawn to BRG?

the real deal

When we got Sally she had a 6 banger. It appeared to have come off a later model Ford. Quite possibly a Stang. We knew it was a switcheroo since her VIN indicated she was a “C” code. That meant she originally had a 289 with a 2 barrel carb. This was found in her fender VIN as well as the dataplate on her door which matched it. There was also a hidden VIN found when we dismantled her. (note: these are some samples for the fender VIN and dataplate. Not Sally’s.)

So it all pointed the way to the fact that she was really a ‘vert as she had the “08″ code as well matching to it. Now why would I mention that she was a real ‘vert? Well one of the things that happens here a lot is for some to “chop” coupes and pass them off as ‘verts. Before getting Sally I did extensive research. Checked out some “real” ‘verts and also saw a couple of “fakes”. It is amazing how many “fakes” sport genuine ‘vert items (more about this in later posts). The U.S. forums proved to be very helpful to. Check them out my Links. The peeps there are really helpful and entertaining too. Use the ‘net. It is very helpful and the old “fakers” hate it.

In fact, a known collector here must have been hoodwinked by a seller since he had what seemed to be a “fake”. He insisted it was “real” so I am not sure whether he is in the know or not.

But then this hobby is fraught with stories like this.

Needless to say the hardest thing to fake is the VIN. And hunt down the hidden ones. It gets even more painful when you go into Shelby turf then realize you didn’t get the real thing.