A new adventure, or is it mid life crisis?

 72 Mach 1 Mustang - Time for a toy

Its been a few years since I owned a muscle car and I have had a few.

I have an itch that I needed to scratch and that was to get a "vintage" muscle car. I have had Australian built Falcons in the past, but the cost to "do up" or get on the road plus the purchase price is out of my price range. There are always a few regrets in selling cars in the past.. But I cant change that now.

I have had (in order of purchase):

XB GT (fully optioned) - Emerald fire, Auto

Mk 1 GT Cortina, Burgandy, Manual

XW GT HO Phase 1 Falcon, Reef Green, Manual

AUII XR6 VCT, Red, Auto

BA XR6 Turbo, Purple, Auto

ED XR8 Sprint, Green, Manual.

Plus other cars that were shopping trollies..

So I thought, why not a Mustang.

Two good mates have early series Mustangs, both the coupe and a soft top. As per usual, I wanted to be a bit different. I happened across an add for a 72 Mach 1, 351 2v, Auto, Sports roof Mustang that was being imported by a local Mustang importer. (Just Mustangs in Riddells Creek).

Over the years I have found that it is always bad to go and have a look and a sit in a car!

The 71 to 73 Mustangs are, well, different. They are big, long bonnet, has a big bum and hard to see out of, but that's kinda what makes them cool (well in my view anyway).

This particular Mustang is super stock, all the tags are still on the car, the interior is original and in great condition. The rear plastics are a little warn but hey.... It has had 1 point job in its life and is a 1 owner car from Texas. It is now 48 years old and has a little rust in the bottom of the rear quarters, but that's it.

From what I can tell, here are the specs of the car: 

Mach 1 Sports roof, Gold glow, 351 2v, FMX Auto, 2.75:1 9"diff, standard ginger trim, fold down rear seat, AM/FM radio, optional 14" wheel covers.

After a few visits, and a trip with Michelle in tow, the deal was done. (both the negotiation for approval from Michelle and the deal with Russell from Just Mustangs)

I cant say I love the wheel covers, but they are factory optional. I much prefer the Magnum 500 15" steel wheels that were also an option in this series car. So that's a job for later. It has new 14" tyres on the factory steel rims with the optional hub caps. So it is hard to discard them for now.

That aim of this blog is to document the work done and the decisions made along the way. At present, Im looking to keep it as stock as... But time will tell.

Here is the car as it stands when I bought it. Needs some love but that's the point of buying a old muscle car.

Man that roof line is low.. No more than 50 inches.. (only 10 more than a GT 40. LOL)

ID tag in the door. 

The engine bay needs some work.

Back seat is folded down. Not much room in there for a person anyway.

Stock ginger trim.

Before I picked up the car, I arranged for a local roadworthy tester (in the same factory complex) to do a pre check to give me a shopping list of jobs to do.

Fortunately the job list is not long and most things I can complete myself.

• Replace / repair All seatbelts to conform with Australian standards
• Replace battery tray and make battery secure
• Brake fluid contaminated - flush out
• Brake master cylinder leaking
• Front brake cylinder right hand front leaking
• Caster rod bushes
• Rear spring shackle rubbers
• Exhaust leaking
• Rear quarters rusted
• Rear diff brake hose
• Front brake hoses
• Replace headlights with Aust compliant set
• Transmission rear support rubber
• Transmission extension housing seal
• Right hand engine mount
• Front and rear shock rubbers
• Front spring saddle bushes

I have picked up a bunch of parts to make a start. I wont be in a rush, so will be a slow process. But would like to have the car registered in 2 to 3 months.

Please follow along.