1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – What are You Gonna Do?

I get a lot of questions on just what I’m going to do with the Sports Roof.  Some of those are posed as inquires of interest and others can be interpreted as “What the hell were you thinking when you bought that!!!”.   Truth is I don’t have that all planned out yet and the direction can change base on the results of the discovery process.

It would be very difficult to produce something horrifying if you stick to the bare bones of the car.  There may be some catastrophic cause such as the 351 Cleveland not being able to perform up to par.  That would allow for a host of different directions, such as bringing it back to originality by installing a slightly beefed up 302 or dropping a monster crate engine in, maybe even a conversion to a manual 4 speed.  There is always a ripple effect – carb changes, exhaust changes (it just isn’t loud enough now) and more.  Having plan set in stone is not in the cards for this project at this point.

Here is what I can tell you.  The car will be returned the factory color Bright Red.  The interior will be redone most likely with kits from TMI kits and back to stock, with Dynamat as sound and heat barrier.  A/C will be re-installed.  There will be changes to the wheels for sure and everything else will be as stock as can be.

So number one priority is to shake down the Cleveland and go from there.  That is where we start and the next few posts will cover getting the 351 to run a well as it can – removing the little things that can impact functionality.  For example, removing the points and condenser and replacing with Pertronix system, new distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires and tackle the vacuum system (NIGHMARE!!).

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

73-17

 

1973 Mustang Project Sportsroof – Engine Walk-Through.

There is a quick walk-through of the 351C tucked between the fenders of the 1973 Mustang Sportsroof. (It took about 5 takes to get this video…a slight improvement.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Money!!

#ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost …

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects. You always have to know where to start and know the end game. As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, …

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof

As I posted before, after a vigorous (not read ‘desperate’) I finally found my next personal project. The 1973 Mustang Sports Roof Fastback is what I settled on.

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Interior Walk-Through

Welcome back to the #ProjectSportsRoof. As the discovery process continues we move to the interior. Now each area of the car (engine, body, interior,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang Project Sportsroof – Engine Walk-Through.

There is a quick walk-through of the 351C tucked between the fenders of the 1973 Mustang Sportsroof.

(It took about 5 takes to get this video…a slight improvement over the earlier attempts.)

As you can see there’s work to be done.  Below is a quick video on the cap/rotor/points and condenser.

While taking a look at the plugs, I discovered a good use for Rewards Cards.

 

There you have a quick overview and a little insight in to what needs to be done.  I think I’ve talked my self in to keeping the 351C, even though it’s not original to the car and a year older, I just like the idea of a period 351C – yup a re-manufactured is a an option, but let’s see what this is looks like first.  Your thoughts?

Next up will be the install Pertronix system and cap and rotor, then plug and wires.

Thanks for reading and drop me a note.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 projectsportsroof

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Interior Walk-Through

Welcome back to the #ProjectSportsRoof. As the discovery process continues we move to the interior. Now each area of the car (engine, body, interior,
1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof

As I posted before, after a vigorous (not read ‘desperate’) I finally found my next personal project. The 1973 Mustang Sports Roof Fastback is what I settled on.
1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects. You always have to know where to start and know the end game. As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, …
1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Money!!

#ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost …

1973 mach i

Carbonear car show concludes on successful — and loud — note

Wade Hiscock of Carbonear poses in front of his impressive 1973 Mach I Fastback Ford Mustang. It was one of three vehicles Hiscock had on display as this weekend’s Shine and Show in Carbonear. Hiscock moved back to Carbonear last year after 26 years …

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Money!!

No I’m not going to ask for donations…although….well…nah!   HEY…maybe a Go Fund My Ford website?  Well if any parts house (@NPDLink – you guys rock), restoration supplies or tool distributors send something – even a t-shirt, I’ll post up an ad on AGCarRestoration.com for you, heck I’ll wear the shirt during one my unprofessional videos!!!  Um…not that I’m doing anything unprofessional….just not a professionally produced videos.

Seriously now, I was asked to day – thanks Bill for reminding me that I should touch on this – what my budget is for this project.  My real answer is I don’t have one.  Not…”I don’t have one” as in it’s unlimited – remember average guy, average budget – more like “I don’t have one” as in “I don’t know where that moneys coming from” .

I didn’t set a budget with my 1970 Mustang, things just happened and I went with it.

1970 Mustang Mods for 300 HP

1970 Mustang
Mods for 300 HP

It will be the same with this project.  #ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost what it costs.  I’m not going to flip the car – this one is a keeper.  (So was my 1970, up to a certain dollar amount.)

This project is different than the ’70 Stang, I want this one to be more of my work than the ’70 was – although I did a lot of work on that beast.   This project will be at a slower pace, I think, than the 1970. (If you recall the the ’70 Stang was helped along by the fact that driving a 6 cylinder (250CID – with 159,000 miles) with the A/C on was like peddling a bike up the Washington Monument and the young kid who was to busy entertaining his GF to stop behind me at a red stoplight.

This one will be different.

Like this?  Maybe.

Like this? Maybe.

Coming up tomorrow will be the 351C walk-around (actually performed that a couple of days ago, but videos were…bad!!  I even lost the first segment).

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof

As I posted before, after a vigorous (not read ‘desperate’) I finally found my next personal project. The 1973 Mustang Sports Roof Fastback is what I settled on.
1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Interior Walk-Through

Welcome back to the #ProjectSportsRoof. As the discovery process continues we move to the interior. Now each area of the car (engine, body, interior,
1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects. You always have to know where to start and know the end game. As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, …

 

 

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Interior Walk-Through

Welcome back to the #ProjectSportsRoof.   As the discovery process continues we move to the interior.   Now each area of the car (engine, body, interior, undercarriage) I’m conducting an inventory, gathering all items that need to be replaced or missing and the work that needs to be done.

Here is a quick run through the interior:

 

Just a note:  I not a camera guy, these are filmed with my Android (sometimes my IPhone) so these are the greats shots.  But they will be improving as I learn the art of digital editing.

From these videos I’ll end up with a list of everything – discovered (there will me more).  From this list, I’ll be able to build the project plan and with tasked ordered in what is hopefully a logical approach, with the goal of keeping it on the road as much as possible.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to drop a comment or two.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 projectsportsroof

Unusual Dash Configuration, 1971? – 7173MUSTANGS.com

I pulled this dash cluster from a 1973 Mustang Sportsroof that was in a junkyard in 1980. The car had the three center gauges in the mini cluster but had no Tach. Instead it had this clock with a brake warning light in the pod …
1973 Mustang Mach 1: Boss In The Background – Barn Finds

Related Finds. 1973 Mustang SportsRoof 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Under Tarp 1970-mustang-boss-302 1970 Boss 302 · Get Email Updates! Instant Daily Weekly. Categories. Stories · Sightings · Our Projects · Events …

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects.  You always have to know where to start and know the end game.   As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, you have to work with what you’ve got, the final goals may change based on what you start out with.  So here at the beginning an inventory of what we have and what is need is necessary.

This is the part of the project where the list of To-Do’s begins.  Although these videos are short, I did spend significant time looking  over each section of the car.  From this I’ll come up with a parts list and then tasks list.

Keep in mind that I intend to this to be a driving project – keeping it on the road while it’s being restored (we’ll see how that works out).

As you can see the body is in pretty good shape over all.  But there is still a lot of work ahead.

Let me know your opinions, drop a comment.

Next up will be an inventory of the interior.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

#Mach1

1973 mustang sportsroof

Best Collection of Ford Mustang (1964-2015) | iHay Blog

1973 Mustang Sportsroof. 1974–1978 Mustang II. 1985–1986 Ford Mustang GT. 1989 Ford Mustang Convertible. 1999 Mustang GT side view. 2007–2009 Ford Mustang GT/CS convertible. 2010 Ford Mustang GT. 2014 Mustang Convertible …

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof

As I posted before, after a vigorous (not read ‘desperate’) I finally found my next personal project.  The 1973 Mustang Sports Roof  Fastback is what I settled on.  Now we start the project that has been dubbed #ProjectSportsRoof (yes I find it necessary to use the ‘hash’).

1973 Mustang Color Code 2B.

1973 Mustang Color Code 2B.

I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects.  You always have to know where to start and know the end game and the key to that is knowing what you are starting with.   As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, you have to work with what you’ve got, the final goals may change based on what you start out with and/or find later.   To help reduce the surprises, there will always be something that pops up unexpectedly, it’s a good idea to  begin with an inventory of what we have and what is needed and a logical starting point. We (as in me and you the reader) are at the beginning of the project.

Coming up next are the a few videos (maybe on only three, never sure, since the camera guy and I are one in the same) will be my first inspection.

Please feel free to interject via a comment or an email, always welcome the discussions.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

1973 mustang sportsroof

Mach 1 Interior: 1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Barn Finds

1973 Mustang SportsRoof. If Mach 1 Mustangs have gotten a little too pricey for you, may I suggest a less flashy fastback like this? The 351 under the hood isn’t as powerful as the top-of-the-line Cobra Jet, but it’s the same …