69 Mach 1: Long term

28363 Views 191 Replies 24 Participants Last post by 665spd, 1 mo ago

665spd

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2019

So it seems everyone wants one, and everybody wants a billion dollars for a clapped out one...
I wanted one since I saw it on the first catalog for my 66.
Missed a very good deal on one. Was determined not to miss another for hesitating.
So I placed a bid and WON!

What have I done???

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 29, 2019

The car...

I named the car long term since I plan to do the whole boat anchor rehab with this high value car. I don't expect there will be many updates quickly, since I really want the car right and solid.

The car is a 351w 2V auto car. It has sat 5 years since the rear quarters and tailiight panel were replaced -incompletely, but nicely. Other than alot of surface rust and a few small holes, the car is solid. It has many parts, but will need many. The car is very original, and I really like it. I decided to get a project so I knew the evil underneath rather than discovering it after overpaying for a finished car.

So here it is; and if you stick around, this one will be nice......eventually.

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Israel

· #3 · Jul 29, 2019

Welcome, I’ll be following.

Share the story of how you picked it up.

Boss5Oh

· #4 · Jul 29, 2019

Welcome, your story is not unique, you will find a lot of friends here with similar stories. I picked up my 70 Mach 1 2 1/2 years ago. It did not look that much better than yours, and as you point out, I too wanted a project. I wanted something I could make my own without feeling too guilty about not returning it to stock. I will watch with interest and you bring your new toy back to life. Some say it is about the journey, but to me it is the destination, that is getting the car back on the road and driving the piss out of it.

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 29, 2019 (Edited)

Israel said:
Share the story of how you picked it up.

Not as good as yours...but some similar elements. Nor am I as good a yarn spinner as you!

Been looking at 69s(even coupes) all over the country since I scraped together enough money for a potential replacement for my now driver 66 (which is far to undervalued to bring up to the caliber I want for a retirement car). No luck! Finally found a car as close as possible (Pensacola to Tampa! 450 miles one way). The bidding was strong, but not excessive. This was a no reserve auction on a 69 Mach1! Debated over it for a week since I missed out on a good one a few weeks ago, and finally decided I'd bid just 100$ over the bid a few seconds before it ended, just so I wouldn't beat myself up for not trying. I was very surprised I won. Made arrangements, rented a trailer, grabbed a friend, and did a run to Tampa. Really a thankfully uneventful trip, other than the stares and thumbs up:smile2:. Now the car is here, and I'm in completely over my head! Pray for me!

Greg

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 29, 2019

Boss5Oh said:
Welcome, your story is not unique, you will find a lot of friends here with similar stories. I picked up my 70 Mach 1 2 1/2 years ago. It did not look that much better than yours, and as you point out, I too wanted a project. I wanted something I could make my own without feeling too guilty about not returning it to stock. I will watch with interest and you bring your new toy back to life. Some say it is about the journey, but to me it is the destination, that is getting the car back on the road and driving the piss out of it.

Thanks, and agreed. I subscribed to your thread when I became interested in this generation, and can't wait for the "end" of both our journeys!

69GT350H

· #7 · Jul 29, 2019

Subscribed.

Mine was never supposed to be a project, a complete rebuild. Funny how things turn out.

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 29, 2019

69GT350H said:
Subscribed.

Mine was never supposed to be a project, a complete rebuild. Funny how things turn out.

Love your car; love your thread. It is my "reference thread" for this car. Glad you went through it!
Don't forget about me between updates...it will take time. I'm having to liquidate my garage to build this one, and I'm a baaaaaad welder!

69GT350H

· #9 · Jul 29, 2019

665spd said:
Love your car; love your thread. It is my "reference thread" for this car. Glad you went through it!
Don't forget about me between updates...it will take time. I'm having to liquidate my garage to build this one, and I'm a baaaaaad welder!

I did not weld until I took my car from my welder due to his poor performance at the end. He made many mistakes and poor welds that needed to be fixed. I made my mistakes as well, and in the end, I am still not a good welder.

Attached are two examples of how the welder left the trunk lip, and one of my mostly finished correction.

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Grabber70Mach

· #10 · Jul 29, 2019

Congrats on finally getting your hands on one. Looking forward to your progress on it, keep us updated as you go along.

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MikeG69

· #11 · Jul 29, 2019

Congrats on your 69 Mach-1 find. I am still working on my 69 Coupe that I have had since 2001 & have been steadily working on since 2010, hopefully it will run within the next year.

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 30, 2019

Grabber70Mach said:
Congrats on finally getting your hands on one. Looking forward to your progress on it, keep us updated as you go along.

Thanks! Planning this one carefully. The work will be slow, but I plan on being buried in this one after it's finished!!

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 30, 2019

MikeG69 said:
Congrats on your 69 Mach-1 find. I am still working on my 69 Coupe that I have had since 2001 & have been steadily working on since 2010, hopefully it will run within the next year.

Thanks, Mike. I like the coupes alot, and looked at a bunch. Got pushed back into the build strategy by even high prices and poor work in the coupes too. I definitely will look into your build, and can't wait to see it finished! The 69-70 is so rare everywhere I go.

665spd

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 30, 2019 (Edited)

69GT350H said:
I did not weld until I took my car from my welder due to his poor performance at the end. He made many mistakes and poor welds that needed to be fixed. I made my mistakes as well, and in the end, I am still not a good welder.

Attached are two examples of how the welder left the trunk lip, and one of my mostly finished correction.

Found a bit of this on my 66 coupe, expect some on the 69. Seems to be the norm, thus the build not buy strategy. The quarters and rear panel are fit really well, but the guy didn't finish any of the plug welds on the bottom. Really weird story on the whole thing. Like he went crazy or something.
Your work is very nice, very...btw.

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FTWingRiders

· #15 · Jul 30, 2019

Congratulations on finding your "forever" Mach 1! Going to a heck of a journey.. I'm in and will bring popcorn!

I cheated and bought my 66 done, but I'm already thinking about something similar to yours..someday..

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Gruntusmc

· #16 · Jul 30, 2019

Will be a labor of love! haha with much cussing if you are anything like me.

I am coming to the completion of my 69 this year, (if every thing goes as planned) and found that the Project planning book that Stacy sells on "gears" really helps me stay focused and caused me to decide exactly what I wanted to accomplish, and what it would cost.

Not trying to sell his stuff but some kind of written plan at the beginning has been very helpful to me on the grind you are beginning. When I get lost in the nuts and bolts, looking it over gets me back on track and in the garage. One step at a time.

Pics of car at start and where it is now. I have endless pics of the between and it was not pretty! I look forward to driving it this year.

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665spd

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 31, 2019 (Edited)

Gruntusmc said:
Will be a labor of love! haha with much cussing if you are anything like me.

I am coming to the completion of my 69 this year, (if every thing goes as planned) and found that the Project planning book that Stacy sells on "gears" really helps me stay focused and caused me to decide exactly what I wanted to accomplish, and what it would cost.

Not trying to sell his stuff but some kind of written plan at the beginning has been very helpful to me on the grind you are beginning. When I get lost in the nuts and bolts, looking it over gets me back on track and in the garage. One step at a time.

Pics of car at start and where it is now. I have endless pics of the between and it was not pretty! I look forward to driving it this year.

Beautiful car and thanks for the encouragement!

Yes, this is THE car and I have started a plan, including believe it or not a budget and plan to pay for it all.
Stacy David is a weird guy, but I love his show and cars, and I agree the planning book is a great idea.
Can't wait to see yours done(and mine!) BTW...POST MORE PICS!(Build thread!)

665spd

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 31, 2019 (Edited)

Man! Your garage is clean! @Gruntusmc Mine:

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Cobraguy1

· #19 · Jul 31, 2019

Congrats!! It'll be great to follow along and watch the progress

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Turnall

· #20 · Jul 31, 2019

665spd said:
Missed a very good deal on one.

I think I know the one your're talking about. :wink:

The one you missed has it's own issues as well (why are they never done the way you/we would do it?). Maybe I'll start a build thread on it at some point.

I'll certainly be following this thread also. The car looks great and congratulations!!

Allen

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