We "inherited" the '78 Mach 1, 302
V-8, as the first of our three
Mustangs also: '69 Fastback 302 V-8 '95 GT 5.0 L from my
sister.
This "little car" was pushed to the back of the
driveway, when the new Lexus came to town. It has been in
the family since it was purchased new from Manhattan Beach
Ford. We were in the process of "restoring" a
1971 Ranchero GT, with a 351 for our youngest son, and when
it was finished, he drove it to high school for three week.
One day, ALL the cars in the parking lot were "keyed",
windows all shattered, lettermen jackets stolen, ect. While
the Ranchero was in the shop being professionally repaired,
he needed a car to drive. The mustang was rusting away,
and my sister said " I'm going to put an ad in the
LA Times for $ 700.00 just to get rid of it".
I told her Ian needed a car to drive, and I would take the
Mustang, fix it back up, but it would cost me some "serious
money", and would have to get the car for free.
You could have heard the EXCITEMENT in his voice, when I
told him, we got a Mach 1 for him to drive, and then you
SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE DISAPPOINTMENT in his face when he
saw it! The car was originally Pearl with red interior,
and rusting very badly. There were electrical problems,
and the football team, of which he was a big baaadd defensive
lineman had to push it daily.
Later that year, we found out that my sister had terminal
liver cancer, and would not last the year. I started on
the car in earnest and wanted her to see it, before she
went away, finally passing on her 60th birthday.
I changed the paint from Pearl to Torch Red, with white
interior, re-did the entire car, and put wheels on from
the Fox platform.
Sadly, she saw a few of the changes, but did not see the
finished product. After it was finished, my son decided
it " didn't look that bad", and wanted it, but
I have kept this car as a remembrance of her for me.
For more photos click here. Go to: http://photos.msn.com/Viewing/Album.aspx?PST=8nK2AN1B!1JmZao!iR2CwwCZn!
