Tucking the bumpers is a possibility, but (for me) not much else. I love the 69 body style and wouldn't change anything on it. Not even removing the drip rails.

M/C

 

I love the '69 body style, too, but the only thing I'd change - or revise - is add a bit larger steel fender and quarter flares, and drop the nose just a bit like the Kar Kraft-prepped T/A racecars. I used to think there wasn't much of a difference, but in doing all the planning for my '70, that subtle wedge shape and slightly wider flares has almost become the normal '69-70 look to me, and I think those two differences make the body style look even better. Search for recent pics of the Moffat '69 on Flickr - that's the look I'd aim for.

 

Tuck bumpers and weld up the end bends that have always drove me nuts. Hidden bumper bolts when your in there. I was never impressed with rear valance fitment. Real leather interior or Alcantara applied to the "newish" sport foam bolsters TMI? of a Mach1 interior. Maybe welded in real scoops in quarters if they are aftermarket pieces that function.

Hidden wipers under a move-able cowl? Owning two, I obviously am pretty impressed with Ford's work too. DO NOT Eleanorize it.....please

Don't know if flushing windows helps at all, drip rail removal I have considered on my race car.

MORE ANVIL ( SEMA 2010: The 1969 Anvil Mustang is the perfect blend of modern technology with classic style | Mustangs Daily) AND LESS RTR-X (SEMA 2010: Team Need for Speed 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X Unveiled | AutoGuide.com News).

 

Here's my feeling on doing virtually any kind of modification. What may be in today, might be out tomorrow. I don't know how old you are, but in the 70's some of the cool things were hi-jacker air shocks, spring shackles, slotted mag wheels, N-50 tires on the back, side pipes, CB radios and others. They were hot in the 70's, now they're not. One of the most famous custom car builders (George Barris) built this car in 1979,

It was hot back then. But I wouldn't be caught dead driving that around nowadays. There are very few modifications that I'd call timeless. About the only one I can think of at the moment for 60's and early 70's cars is Cragar SS wheels. They still look good on just about any vintage muscle car. Trends come and go. That's why I'm planning on having my car look 100% stock on the outside.

 

Large tire out back, not necessarily n50's, and it having a hell of a rake is timeless, period. I can't tell you how many people love my car and say its so old school. Because it is.

 

Large tire?? I agree 100% as long as it fits under the fender. :thumbsup:

Love the look of your car, but would like it better if the tires weren't sticking out. They'd be the first thing to go if it was mine. How do you drive that thing without them rubbing?

 

timeless in my opinion would be leaving it factory.

 

i didn't grow up in the 70's but what was the feeling back then when people were putting the big tires that stick out in the back? was it a timeless, how can people not ever stop liking this feeling?

IMO, even the large diameter rim fad will be gone soon, or the big width tire packed underneath the wheelwell. yes today some cars look great with these mods (i still like some of the "Pro Street" cars out there), but in a couple of years people won't be building today's big hit. it will be something else.

copying the look of something the factory did is a different story

 

i didn't grow up in the 70's but what was the feeling back then when people were putting the big tires that stick out in the back? was it a timeless, how can people not ever stop liking this feeling?

It was the hot thing back then. It was cool. Just like the huge a$$ muffler on the import cars now which will die. And just like custom vans and import trucks did.

Funny story about import trucks back when they were hot in the 80's. There was a guy in the crowd I ran with that had a 68 Cuda that was very built. There was a K-Mart store parking lot we'd hang out in at night. The guy's nickname was Hollywood. He liked to show off. He was cruising through the parking lot in a line of cars and decided to do a huge smoky line lock burnout. He does a nice long burnout and pulls away from the cloud of smoke. Then a white customized mini truck appears through his cloud of tire smoke. He'd been right behind Hollywood during his burnout. All over the hood and front of the truck were little bits of smoking molten rubber! The muscle car guys fell over laughing. I think I saw smoke coming out of the truck owner's ears.

 

I mentioned the original Kar Kraft flares in my previous post because I they looked great in '69 (well, they seemed to be popular, as that was 13 years before I was born), and they still certainly have a cool appeal. I've always like them, and now there are brand-new models being released that were styled to resemble those very cars...now that's timeless! I understand not everyone is going for a vintage roadracing look, but just thought I'd throw it out there, as I think the modifications look great with big 15" vintage wheels and big 17"+ modern wheels, and the car itself will always be timeless. Some of the later '70-bodied cars have larger flares, and would be cool if you wanted to fit even larger wheels.

And I think the dropped noses on those cars really add to the old-school wedge-shape appeal, but in a way that'll never really be dated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50415738@N04/5058193334/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markgibsonphoto/3691839114/#

 

Have to agree with Maxium on this one. Just about anything that you do that involves radical body work will be dated.

That is why I only do things that are easily reversed, like the bigger wheels, better seats, engine, and suspension mods.

That way the car will look more modern, but be easily changed with the future styles.

 

i guess what i should say is, i want the car to look stock, but modern stock. Like if i can get the bumper to have a little bit cleaned fit or look by doing a slight tuck, or something like that, then i want to know how. I'm not going to do something like a chopped and channeld low rider lol...

 

I flared the fenders and quarters 1 1/4" at the top and tighten up the gap on the rear fiberglass bumper.

 

where did you find a fiberglass bumper???

 

Rusty, those flares and bumper look great. Are they from Maier?

I was thinking of going with Maier fiberglass bumpers for my '70, but will have them chromed as done on newer cars to resemble OE chromed steel. What finish are you going with for yours?

 

The flares are metal

The bumper was from Maier I cut it in three pieces to narrow it and extended the ends to meet the end caps. It will be body color SPI red.

 

Very nice. How did you modify your outer wheelhouses? Add metal or form your own?

It's a shame the Ford flares are long gone...to think you could simply order them from a dealer at one time. I've read others use AMC flares as an alternative of forming their own.

 

I left the wheel well attached at the bottom front and back and than cut out a larger section of the quarter. Next I cut the outer wheelhouse and added an 1 1/4" at the top and than filled in the quarter.

 

to me this look is timeless. put some slightly bigger tires on the back with 4 of the mags that are on the front passenger and it is timeless. people can say what they want but in my opinion it makes the car look good and it takes only an hour to change out the spring shackles and put on diferent tires or wheels

 

Love the big 50 hides in back with airshocks. One thing totally turns me off is a mustang with wimpy rear hides. Rake is a must and larger diameter tires in back that totally fill the wheel wells with smaller in front make the true mustang classic look. The look is classic if you don't have it you are not holding true to the classic look. To really get it clean looking mini tubs are required along with rolled fender lips. Other thing that just ruins new stangs is the lack of offset and dish depth in the wheels. The look is timeless and it is period correct I should know I was there. I love the feel of air shocks on the back it defines true muscle car experience. I don't think "red neck" I think "classic gear head"! Done right about 1/3 of rear top tire should extend up into the wheel well in back with about 3/16" clearance between fender lip and side wall outside and 1/4" between frame and inside tire wall (have to bend back the steel flap on the rear end snubber mounts). The look is period correct and timeless.

 

Fiberglass we don't need no stinking fiberglass! Its all metal...

 

where is the ugly license plate going to be attached? they look naked without a gas cap or something in the middle of the tail light panel.

 

One thing totally turns me off is a mustang with wimpy rear hides. Rake is a must and larger diameter tires in back that totally fill the wheel wells with smaller in front make the true mustang classic look. The look is classic if you don't have it you are not holding true to the classic look.

Not everyone needs or likes huge tires and air shocks in the back. You don't need to tub it unless you're building a race car. A Mustang with a nice, moderately sized (appropriate for what the car is being used for) set of wheels and tires looks great.

 

Here is a link for you T/A guys (I am one!). This guy is not missing anything on his build of a 70 T/A Boss. Check out the fender flare section and the nose drop section too. http://1970mustangvintageracer.shutterfly.com/737

 

Amen! I found that page a couple years ago, and saved nearly every photo on his site. About the only Kar Kraft body/chassis mod I didn't see back then was the flares, so I wasn't surprised when he added those in his most recent update. I don't know that gentleman, but I owe him some gratitude, as that is by far the most useful single project site I've found to help me with my '70.

 

Appreciate the love. Car has the traction bars and 5 leaf pack springs on the back with competition engineering shocks. When I light em' up I don't get a lick of wheel hop, so I figure that's pretty solid. If I seriously flex the suspension out it'll rub a tiny bit, but from it's race car days it inherited rolled fender/quarter lips on all corners . They actually sit even with the fenders. I don't like them sticking out crazy amounts either, but my only option was to cut down the housing/axles an inch or so, but not really on my must have list. I plan to jump to coy's here in a bit.