1966 Mustang Convertible Started

[Provertstang]

Hey all.....Just found this forum and it is great. I just started a touring vert project and I hope to be active here as things progress. I have not seen a '66 Ford Vert done this way and I hope all works out. I have been racing Fords for 15 years then I sold everything when my first daughter was born and built a '65 Cobra replica:
www.cardomain.com/ride/2660122 (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2660122)
It was a nice car and a lot of fun but it only had 2 seats. I have 2 young daughters and I seemed to always be riding by myself and they were always fighting about it. I wanted a car my wife, 2 duaghters, and myself could all ride in and still have the rush of the Cobra. I am burned out on the "Eleanor" cars and I wanted something different. This is the project......what do you think?

This is a link to the info page. I will post more as soon as I make some more headway.
www.cardomain.com/ride/2659961 (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2659961)

Thanks for a great resource,
Brent

[Rick Dorion]

Welcome. Geat project. I'm partial to verts :)

[HsvToolFool]

Thank you so much for posting Provertstang! I thought I was the only person who thought this would be cool. I will follow your build closely. I plan to start my 66 Mustang convertible project once I have saved enough to purchase the frame and drivetrain.

I plan to use a modified Art Morrison MaxG frame. I've always wanted to put a Jag-style IRS in a first-gen Mustang. Research has convinced me that a rear tube frame is the best foundation to install IRS in early unibodies (especially a convertible). Of course I'm gonna replace the front frame for better handling, so a pre-fabbed yet affordable full frame becomes very attractive. The MaxG frame will be highly modified to allow the front floors pans to remain close to stock as possible. It won't really be a MaxG frame, but it should get the job done.

You may be presently facing my remaining design challenge: mini-tubs in a 'Vert. What are your plans for the convertible top in the down position? The stock wheel wells marginally interfere with the top closing, and I suspect mini-tubs may keep the top completely out of the well. Do you have a solution for this problem?

[Provertstang]

Yes the top of the wheel houses makes things interresting. I have purchased new inner and outer wheel houses. I purchased them in halves so I could add 4" to the middle of them when I weld them back together. I am also installing new full quarters at the same time. The new wheel houses are round on the top and require modification for the vert top in the down position. I can retain the stock height of the wheel tubs and the top will work just as it did stock and I can get the ride height I want.

Thanks for the reply,
Brent

[LMDGUY]

NICE.. look like a great project.

[HsvToolFool]

I can retain the stock height of the wheel tubs and the top will work just as it did stock...

I'll have to go home and peek at mine to refresh my memory on how much the factory pounded the inner wheel housing to make the top work. I recall that it was a relatively small "dent" on the inside quadrant of each wheel housings. Rumor has it that the Ford assembly line workers used a 2x4 and a sledge hammer to "adjust" the wheel sheetmetal on each convertible! It was such a jury-rig.

My concern is that a mini-tub matching the housing's stock diameter will require a flat across much of the width. I'd rather live with smaller housing and less suspension travel. Or better yet, I'll fabricate a nice parade-boot out of aluminum to hide the fact my top that won't go down completely. Maybe a bit of both will be required.

So please, please post photos of how this section goes on your build. I am extremely curious if mini-tubs can be made to not interfere with the top operation.

I already love your car's stance and profile, by the way. Thanks again for sharing.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site, Brent.