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Restoring a Mustang

By Dave Snyder

Mustangs are some of the most beautiful and power packed cars around. Especially Mustangs from the 60s and 70s are considered some of the finest American cars ever made. If you have a First generation Mustang, but in a garaged condition, it's no wonder you will want to have it restored.

One good thing about the Mustang is that its components were made from fairly familiar and cheaper cars like the Ford Fairlane and Ford Falcon. The Mustang's chassis, suspension and drive train components are all made or derived from these other cars. So, you have a much wider access range when choosing components for your classic Mustang.

For example, the MS67FB and the MS68FB are licensed by Ford through the Ford Restoration Licensing program, and their Fastback body shells are still available in mint condition. Using modern painting technology, the restored body shells of your Mustang can be made to look just like the original. Even old cars like the 1967 Mustang can be completely restored, including its doors, trunk lids and its awesome re-enforced big block shock towers.

The restored body shells will be as close as you can get to the ones directly from an assembly line. But you will understand that even with that, since these are manufactured used auto parts, there will be some fittings and trimmings to be done, because you will be working with a 40 year old body shell.

Most restoration is done by steel, which is 1006 universal automotive grade steel. Good restoration even has the gauge thicker than the original. The steel also comes with fewer numbers of additives, and this makes it more flexible and much more workable than the original Mustang.

Original First generation Mustangs are great cars, and are the stuff that American dreams are made of. The sis cylinder 101 horsepower Falcon engine is one of the most powerful American engines every built. A total restoration of this beauty costs upwards of 15k, but for the pony enthusiasts, at least, that's money well spent.