69 Mach 1 intro

[gsxrken]

Here's what I started with 1987.

62461
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

62465

62466

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Here's the engine fresh from the dyne. That's me a few years ago now and ouch it show...
62467

I'm attaching a few pics from today after I bolted on the TTIIs and new Firestone Wide Oval meats. I believe I have nailed the backspacing, but of course the ride height is way off since the car is just a roller. Front = 17x8 w/ 4.75 BS and 245/45/17, back = 17x9.5 w/ 5.5 BS and 275/40/17. The 69 mustangs have more wheelwell space than the 65/66 or the 67/68 ones, and these appear to tuck in nicely.
I'll keep you posted as the new machined parts roll in and get bolted on...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[vanzuuk1]

Ken you need a target date, pick a show at the end of the summer that you want to attend and schedule backwards from there.I am trying to get the visuals on my car done for the mamaroneck show in the fall. Do it! (ahnuld/terminater voice)
Color and rims look awesome!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Lookin' good!! Keep us updated as you get her finished up.

[fvike]

That's a sweet color. What's your plans for the car ? Full Pro-Touring or an easy Resto Mod ?

[DarkBuddha]

I wanna know too... what are the rest of the plans like???? No matter what, it's good to see another '69-70 on the forum anyway.

[gsxrken]

Thanks guys. My engine will be done shortly, a 351W stroked to 408, AFR heads, forged crank/rods/pistons and roller cam/rockers everything. If there is a better way to build one, I don't know it. Behind it goes a 5spd TKO600 Tremec and hydraulic clutch setup, and a 3.50 posi chunk in the the 9" rear. I'll post pictures of the motor when I get it back.

Plans are to fire it up for July 4th and get the basically stock interior redone in August. I figure after that I'm on the road for the fall, but with wimp-ass stock front disc/rear drum brakes peeking through the 17"s. That won't do for long, and if I'm really good Santa may put some 13" and 12" Baer brakes under the tree for a winter project.

So is that restomod, or pro-touring? Where is the line?

[colt zantop]

lookin good! nice color choice also!

[Steve Chryssos]

69 is by far my favorite year for Mustangs. Glad to see another one in the club. Nice car.

[MBD]

It looks great. Is that the factory Silver Jade color?

[gsxrken]

Yes, it is the factory silver jade. When I bought the car years ago, it was black, but the original jade green was evident in the jambs, trunk lid, etc. I really liked the color and stayed with it when I redid the body.
BTW, an update is order. I didn't get it started in the car like I hoped in my earlier post, but I did get it dynoed that same week.
I was very pleased with the output. Just today I tried to finish my brake system so the engine can go in, but hit a snag with a defective (new) hose. A death of a thousand little cuts, I guess.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[zbugger]

Holy gigantor pictures!!!!!! SHEESH!!!!! I'm guessing you wanted to make sure everyone saw how much power you made? Just kidding....

[vanzuuk1]

Ken I am glad to see your project move along. Its gonna be awesome to do a little sunday cruise with the wives... or without!

Thanks for your help yesterday,let me know if you need a hand.

[kmcanally]

Holy gigantor pictures!!!!!! SHEESH!!!!! I'm guessing you wanted to make sure everyone saw how much power you made? Just kidding....

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Wow thats sweet...and some serious power!

[vanzuuk1]

Big horsepower requires a big photo.

[ALLFAITH]

That is the engine that Jimmy at RED in Brewster built ?

You got a great engine builder. He did my Boss 302, They are the best around our area IMO.


Good luck

Brad

[Stu Seitz]

I don't know if the pic. got fliped or somthing but your front left tire is on backwards.

[gsxrken]

Yep, Jimmy Betz at Racing Engine Development built it and the amount of research that goes into one of his builds is hard to believe. All of their machinery is new, the shop is clean, and he really does some high-end stuff. They are at 845-259-3587 and I unreservedly recommend them if you're looking for something beyond the usual crate motor fare.
Keen eye, JoeleanLS1- the car is usually on jackstands but I put the rims on it without regard to which side was which to roll it out for the photos.

[DaCajun]

Very nice 69 Stang! You will have an awsome car when it's completed, keep up the good work.

I miss my 69 mach1. Original and rare 390 GT 4 speed. I was so stupid selling the car. I was in my early 20s and the ladies where a priority at the time. Oh well I plan on building another one once I'm done with my twin turbo LS1 69 camaro. Till then I'll continue to drool over your car!!! Thanks and please continue posting pics as your car progresses.


-Dave

[gsxrken]

Well it's finally running and I'll try to post a link to a brief clip of that.
http://p6.hostingprod.com/@yorktown6.com/Mustang/100_0675.MOV

I still have to bleed the JMC hydraulic clutch a bit more for full travel, the exhaust is just temp'ed up for the moment, the air cleaner won't clear the hood, and the interior is still MIA.

I think due to the age of my original steering box, coupled with some header clearance and pulley aligment issues, I am going to get the TCP manual rack for Christmas and ditch the stock bendix power-assist setup. The first salvo in the suspension upgrades! Can anyone on this board comment on the TCP rigs?

[kmcanally]

sounds good! and looks great too...what kind of power are you making with this setup?

[fvike]

Sounds nice! The only thing I've ever seen ppl complain about the TCP rack is the price. Never the preformance. Haven't tried it myself, so I can't comment on that.

[gsxrken]

Been awhile since I've updated with some pics. Bill Fioretti from Mostly Mustangs was instrumental in the final push to getting it together. This is Bill and I in front of his shop in Hamden, CT. Bill is Gold Concours judge and has restored cars to the national level, but he went along with my pro-touring mods after some convincing. He's a good friend and I totally recommend his shop.

62468
I finally got it on the road last week, and am of course still sorting it all out. I have wheel-hop of biblical proportions, so today I spoke to Maier Racing and ordered some racing leafs and Bilstein shocks that hopefully tame that aspect of the car. One thing is for sure, the 5 speed with overdrive is the way to go. It's an awesome thing tossing it into 5th on the highway and having the everything just settle down to just over 2000 RPMs.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[DarkBuddha]

Looks like it's really coming along. Keep us posted!

[gsxrken]

Thought I'd document the latest on the car- I finally sprang for some brakes that are worthy of the horsepower that engine can produce. The Wilwoods two-piece hat allows for zero-offset changes so my carefully researched backspacing and tires still work without changes.

62462

I'm hoping to have it back on the ground for a few shakedown runs in the next week or two. The XV Open House on 6/16 has been a good mental goal I've used as my line in the sand.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

62463
62464

[gsxrken]

Vanzuuk1 came by today and installed my Mach 1 stripes while I cheered him on; a job I was absolutely dreading after my disatisfaction with my Bandit Trans Am graphics install about 15 years ago.

He jumped right in an had a bunch of techniques with tape, rulers, alcohol, and x-acto knives that made the job look simple. When we were done, he goofed around with the tape on his camaro like Chip Foose on Overhauling. Sticking tape on a car looks easy... I assure you it is not.

Thanks Dirk!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[4MuscleMachines]

Looks great! It's good to see your car come up again. Are those front rotors special offset 13" 1.1" rotors? Mine don't look that way.

[Steve1968LS2]

Thanks guys. My engine will be done shortly, a 351W stroked to 408, AFR heads, forged crank/rods/pistons and roller cam/rockers everything. If there is a better way to build one, I don't know it.

That engine combo sounds familiar. :)

BTW.. LOVE the color of your car.. I think shades of green are some of the most under-utilized colors out there.

We need more pics though. lol

[vanzuuk1]

You can just call me vanzuuk, I dont think there is a vanzuuk 2. I will work for food,nicely done steak!

[Vinz68]

Lookin good Ken! Did your car dry out yet?lol... Pocano was a blast, it was good to meet you and follow you around track. Hope to see you at the next event. Nice work Dirk.

[vanzuuk1]

Time for an update ken...

[gsxrken]

Time for an update ken...

Well I did paint up my TTIIs and really like the look. I'll post some pics but am not going through the whole resizing crap so be forewarned.

I also am going back to manual brakes with the tandem master cylinder, but I just haven't been able to get out there and do it thanks
to my back surgery. If I have to, I'll stay with power brakes this year.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[gsxrken]

Well it's been 3 years, and after enjoying the car, hitting a few track days, and generally tweaking the car every year along the way, I've decided to kick it up a notch again.
62469
62470
In no particular order, I added Hydratech booster and can't say enough about it and Jim's tech support like everyone says is first rate.
62471

Did some TCP upper and lower heim-jointed control arms.
62472

[gsxrken]

I met Albert of Carbon Kustoms at RTTS last year, and learned of the Anvil Mustang parts that were just coming out. I've been wanting to go wider and lower with the car, and the fenders were the first step down this road. I also got their extractor hood. In total, I saved 64 pounds off the front of the car.
62473
62474
62475

Just for backspace measurement purposes for new rims, I installed my rear 17x9.5 rims with 275 tires on the front, and they fit nicely under the new subtly flared fenders.
62476

Finally, I ordered up some new rims and tires for the car from a pt.com sponsor, Jon at Driverz Inc. I'll be fitting 315s in the back and 265s up front.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/IMG_3603-1.jpg

[sr73bu]

The photos didn't work for me (only the wheels), but everything sounds amazing!.... can't wait to see the upgrades at RTTS!

-Sean

[CruizinKev]

oh wow I can't wait to see the new wheels on the car! :twothumbs

[DarkBuddha]

The photos didn't work for me (only the wheels), but everything sounds amazing!
Ditto... would love to see it all.

[Hugger67RSSS]

My dad's first car was a 69 Mach I and that is the same color his was. I absolutely love these cars and you car looks amazing. Please keep the pictures coming!

[gsxrken]

Thanks! I think I fixed the pics.
I also have Mike Maier's panhard bar on its way. It's amazing the slippery slope you get on... the panhard whacks my over the axle magnaflow x-pipe system. And since I was never head over heels with the tone of it anyway, I'll be doing something different about the exhaust again, too.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/15819-1.jpg

[bonecrrusher]

Ohhh - nice - you going to paint the CF parts?

[DrFraZZy]

Wow! I love the wheels! I want me one now!! It will be one sick car! Are you keeping the color? or going to a new color?

[Jeff70]

Looking good Ken.

I have a 69fb myself. When you put the 9 1/2's up front did you check for any clearance issues, can you go lock to lock? Do you plan to sell the Torque Thrust II's?

Jeff

[my68vert]

LOVE the color of the car! and those wheels are going to look fantastic on there. love me some mustang builds :)

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I like the direction of the car! I say leave the CF exposed and get those wheels on there. You can always paint later if you want to change things up...

[NWEBER540]

i like the color

[solarguy09]

Sweet Mach 1....

[vanzuuk1]

"Orange" You ready to decide on a color yet?

[vanzuuk1]

As Kens design consultant, I can say some of the Cf will be worked into the paint scheme..its gonna be very cool.

[SRD art]

Great lookin' ride! Just curious what method you used to prep the wheels for paint? I want to paint my centers black and the rim silver...

[gsxrken]

Car is going up to Jakes Rod Shop in Maine this month for rear quarter flares, paint, and a front splitter. I am really leaning towards House of Kolor Tangelo Orange.
I want to shoot for some rear flares just like these:
62478

I'm also in discussion with Ron at the Recaro resoration shop JJCustomInterior that frequents Pro-Touring.com.
62477


Going for some gauges too. THink I've landed on some New Vintage USA ones that look perfect and will fit the original four hole cluster:
52064
52065

[Jeff70]

You will love the seats...

[DarkBuddha]

All those are really great choices. And the gauges are freaking awesome!!! I think I'll start saving my coin for 'em too.

[Hugger67RSSS]

It will be interesting to see what Jake come's up with. He is a great guy to deal with. Love all the changes you've made!

[1970 TT Rustang]

put those wheels on that bad boy

[sr73bu]

Ken, good luck with the updates... I dont care what color you paint it...Just make sure its ready for RTTS in April! hahaha.... But seriously, you are really taking the car to the next level, cant wait to see it all done!

-Sean

[gsxrken]

You will love the seats...
I hope so. Still have to come to final terms with Ron. For example I just spent almost 9 hours in my truck yesterday without much lower back issues, whereas the Procar Scat seats wreck me in under an hour.


All those are really great choices. And the gauges are freaking awesome!!! I think I'll start saving my coin for 'em too.
Yes, they really do think dearly of them! They fit the car and my eye much closer than the typical Autometer swap, but at a premium.


It will be interesting to see what Jake come's up with. He is a great guy to deal with. Love all the changes you've made!
Thank you. I just back from Jake's yesterday, and we came up with a bunch of tweaks. I'm confident it'll work out nicely. (That's Jake and my son Kenny at Jake's shop).
52375


put those wheels on that bad boy
January 16th, according to Jon. They are getting shipped directly to Jake so the rear quarters can be flared to match them.


Ken, good luck with the updates... I dont care what color you paint it...Just make sure its ready for RTTS in April! hahaha.... But seriously, you are really taking the car to the next level, cant wait to see it all done!
-Sean

Looking forward to it- see you there for sure!

[ZuperZport]

Looking good Ken..........real good......can't wait to see the complete package.

It is inevitable...........the more you hang out with "Dirk-Foose" the more your car will lean towards a "Vintage-Trans-Am-Mad-Max-Street-Fighter-Look". All kidding aside, really like the direction you are heading.......your Stang will be beyond uber-bad-ass.

- Scott

Check out this month's Hot Rod Magazine - very cool 69 Mustang featured:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Also.....sure Dirk has shown you this already.....but if not check these guys out:
http://www.agentfortyseven.com/harbinger/index.html

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[gsxrken]

Good to hear from you you, Scott! Congrats on getting that Camaro to the level you did- it's mind-boggling. But you had to post that Harbinger Agent 47 shot, didn't you? That car is pretty much the pinnacle for me in terms of attitude, and I remember when I first saw it was almost like, "well why bother now?" But you're right, I don't make a move without consulting Dirk. He's like Mephistopheles whispering in my ear about flat black, brushed aluminum, and strip-clubs. And after staring at cars like yours, and Dirk's, Vinnie's and half of the cars on this site, I think you develop an acquired taste and can't look at an original car with any satisfaction. Even my pretty Silver Jade green has to go. I'm re-excited about this car, which is why we do this in the first place, right?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

YES!

i love where this is going!

and Dirk will give you the business.

[Hugger67RSSS]

Any updates from Jake yet? We need pics!

[SRD art]

This project is really headed in a cool direction Ken. I'm looking forward to helping you see the vision!

[vanzuuk1]

Photos!!

[JRS]

Guys. I will get some pics of the shaving , smoothing etc we have been doing to the car while the wheels get here. We are shaving marker lights rear wing, etc. the car is really nice and this should put it over the top. Pics to come. Just wait till you see the before /after, def gonna be a different car!!!
Jake

[gsxrken]

Before Jake posts pics of his fabrication, I can post what im doing without the car. I received the gauges from MuscleRodz and just trial-fit them in my cluster. I think they fit the car perfectly, and the backlit lighting will be a nice touch. These mustangs had terribly dim instrumentation.
I also decided to put the tach in the right-center pod. If I'm not mistaken, ford put the tach in the left one, but I drive left-handed anyway and I'd rather my hand block the speedo than the tach.

It's also nice to get the little suntach off the steering column and have a tach I don't have to worry about hitting my knee on.

62479

[gsxrken]

And Jon from DriversInc, errr... NewGen Wheels (congratulations, Jon!) sent over a teaser shot of the rims before the tires got mounted. These are on their way from California to Jake's shop in Maine... probably about as far as they can go and still stay in the US... and then Jake can mildly flare the rear quarter and wheelhouse to tuck them in.

62480

[vanzuuk1]

Kens car is going transform from being a nice mustang with an a killer drivetrain to an absolute jaw dropper. The colors, the flares, the rims... its going to be one of my favorite cars. I really flattered that Ken asked me to help with the look.


Scotts (zupersport) car and Kens car ...I need to hit lotto to keep up this summer.

[kmdracer]

Very cool!

[ZuperZport]

And Jon from DriversInc, errr... NewGen Wheels (congratulations, Jon!) sent over a teaser shot of the rims before the tires got mounted. https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Ken - You are a true "pro-touring pioneer".........not many guys gutsy enough to run the high banks with just three wheels.......the way your Mustang is set up......should not be a problem! Ha-ha - jus foolin'.

Those wheels look Grade-A Badass! Digging the new gauge setup too!

Looking forward to some Bear Mt. runs in the spring with you and Mr. Van Zuuk!

Keep up the great work!

[JRS]

Guys, while we were waiting on the wheels, we got to work on tear down of the car. We made notes on what needed to be cleaned up, lined up etc. We long blocked he existing paint with 180 to get the body straight. Its funny because most of the stuff Ken wanted nicer was just too much material, paint/filler etc. Anyway we got the rear side markers shaved, along with the rear wing holes, as well as the mustang letters off the back edge of trunk lid. I will post a few pics in next reply. We are currently flaring rear quarters, very subtle to clear the new tire/wheel combo.

[JRS]

new gen wheels
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8824-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8828-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8874-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8884-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8886-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/IMG_8896-1.jpg

[craigs73]

love the wheel treatment on the TTIIS was thinking of doing same thing have anymore close ups of them? im actually thinking of hitting them with scotch brite on the same area you did then painted and leaving it like that...but i really like your other wheels that you got now.... gonna look sweet with them on there

[hotrdblder]

Been working on kens project, starting the rear quarter flares and doing the body work on the carbon front fenders as they are wavy and need work to make door gaps nice.

[JRS]

Kens car is coming along nicely. We have had to wait to flare rear quarters as the new rear rims needed less back space to widen the track width like ken wanted. So we ordered spacers and needed to install longer wheel studs. In the mean time we worked on alot of fitment problems with the car and mustangs in general. We fit the rear quarter extensions, for an even trunk gap, however they dont fit the quarters they hang beyond , so we body worked and blocked over the housing and quarter to make it smooth. The same goes for the front headlight buckets, they fit good but need alittle tlc to get super nice. This all leads to alot of time but worth the effort. We also touched up the carbon fenders and did the same procedure on the hood to fender fit. Ken is leaving the center of the hood cf with a pin stripe, as well as the carbon cowl cover.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/03967adf-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/64082d36-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/40aa6676-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/6051a225-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/e8c266df-1.jpg

[solarguy09]

Wheels and Tires look great..car porn....


Your ride is going to be really Sweet

[vanzuuk1]

Its coming along nicely...I laid the tape on the hood in on the trailer in kens driveway, hope they look decent!...cant wait to see the car in orange.

[71duster]

damn nice mustang! are you going to RTTS again this year? we are planning on coming up.

[gsxrken]

I suffered a detached retina and had surgery a week ago. I've had to remain face down for over a week in some massage chair and bed arrangements that they sent to my house. This is the first time on the Internet in 2 weeks. It puts a ton of things into perspective let me tell you. These cars are great but they are nothing really. I can't see well out of the eye yet but I do hope I will be able to in a month or so for RTTS2 in early April. You guys still might want to give me a wide margin out there...

Its nice to work with Jake. He is one of us and completely understands the pro-touring niche. The car was all good metal and new CF front end from Anvil, but the panel and body lines were never real sharp. The cast buckets and quarter caps, scoops, and door gaps look 10x better already. I can't wait to see the color sample he is sending me and the flare and splitter pics next week.

[gsxrken]

Got a few more pics from Jake. I really like how the flares came out. A nice additional 1-1/2" of quarter flare that's not too wild but definitely noticeable.
56354

56355

56357

The HOK Tangelo orange looks sick too. He painted up a mirror and shipped it to me for signoff on the final color.
56356

Still to come: a one-off JRS aluminum splitter/spoiler with brake ducts incorporated into the former front running lamps.
And Recaro's from Ron at JJ Custom Interiors. Come on Ron, answer my email and voice mail correspondence, buddy!
Very stoked for RTTS2.

[CruizinKev]

very nice! I like the flares!! good work!! :twothumbs

[Dalamar]

The rear flairs look great. Nice progress!

[Zachalanche]

Got a few more pics from Jake. I really like how the flares came out. A nice additional 1-1/2" of quarter flare that's not too wild but definitely noticeable.
56354

56355

56357

The HOK Tangelo orange looks sick too. He painted up a mirror and shipped it to me for signoff on the final color.
56356

Still to come: a one-off JRS aluminum splitter/spoiler with brake ducts incorporated into the former front running lamps.
And Recaro's from Ron at JJ Custom Interiors. Come on Ron, answer my email and voice mail correspondence, buddy!
Very stoked for RTTS2.

THe flares look pretty similar to mine, since yours will see paint before mine, I'm excited to see how they turn out.

[sr73bu]

Wow! Love those Flares!.... can't wait to see this at RTTS!

-Sean

[gsxrken]

Very excited to get some great photos from Jake of the car in paint. She's done and curing for a few days before color-sanding and rubbing out the paint. It certainly looks good in the photos, and Jake assures me it looks absolutely killer in person- especially in sunlight as you can see with the valance.

56603

56604

56605

Good shot of the subtle flares; Anvil flared fenders up front, and Jake's handiwork in the rear. Many folks may miss it, but most gearheads are going to know that "something" is different about this one.
56606

Valance shot in the sunlight-
56608

One last shot of my old green. I really like the Silver Jade color and had real reservations about departing from it. But suddenly, it just doesn't look half as dynamic as this HOK Tangelo Orange.
56607

[Tincup]

Well, if your goal was to stand out in a crowd, mission accomplished, looks great.

[atam]

Man that's a nice orange

[69SSLS1]

Wow nicest fastback I have ever seen! Where did you get the flares?

[Dalamar]

Beautiful!

[67speedfreak]

Car looks great love the wheels !

[vanzuuk1]

The color is perfect, Jake did an amazing job. My car will be invisible around yours..which may be a good thing.

[LeighP]

Man, that looks awesome! I was going orange on my Firebird, until I saw a similiar metallic but in green....looks like that in the sun, all the metallic/pearl just bursts out of the colour!

Our cars would look good sitting next to each other....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Jeff70]

That looks great I can't wait to see it with the wheels.

Sent you a PM Ken


Jeff

[craigs73]

wow that orange really pops.....cant wait to see it out in the sun...this is gonna be one sweet looking car when done

[drflex]

digging the flares and the color A+

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

damn this thing is gonna be awesome!

[hotrdblder]

we hand fabricated the flares in the shop.
kens car is a great car and great owner, he is all about using his car and making it better as he goes.
Its been a pleasure working on.

[ZuperZport]

Wow!!!!!! Ken.........the paint looks amazing!!!!!!! Can't wait to see it live!!!! Great job!!!

[gsxrken]

I'm drooling right along with you guys, but thanks for the reinforcement! Jake forwarded me three shots of the hood and cowl, and I thought I'd put them up here just to show how different the color looks from different angles. Thanks to Dirk (VanZuuk1) for laying out how much of the CF to leave exposed, and to use a root beer tint over it to go better with the orange. And of course to Jake for realization and execution of the concept. For anyone who thinks Jake's shop in Maine might be too far, I would say think again. Years ago, I left this car with a friend who owned a bodyshop; it gathered bondo shop dust for six months before I pulled it out of there untouched. Then I had another local guy repair some panels, bodywork and paint it and it was a 15 footer. Towing it to Maine once and towing it back cost two Saturdays and some gas. How often- in almost anything- do the results of something exceed your going-in mental picture? That's what seems to be happening here and it's fun.

56795

56796

56797

56798

[Hugger67RSSS]

Wow, love what you and jake have done with the car. I would also highly recommend Jake, he has been great buying parts from and his work is top notch

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice choice on the orange and carbon car is really gonna stand out..

[69X22]

Beautiful! I would love to have a 69 or 70 fastback someday.

[stangme]

wow that looks amazing! makes me want some of that carbon fiber!! hmmmm... wonder if they have a blue in the same paint family...lol

[gsxrken]

Got the car home and today I got a chance to give it a bath. Horrible lack of photography composition with the house and family cars in the background, but you can get an idea. And yes, the car is one color. It just never looks the same. No digs at the hood prop.
I took it out to top off the gasoline (no gauges so I don't know how much I have) and it really, really turns heads. One guy walked around the car with his iphone taking a video. LOL

57845

[dug]

looks sharp. I'm impressed, out of all the builds around here I never really read where someone actually drove their car, seems like everyone here is supporting the jack stand market very well (myself very much included). You're now the exception.

[LeighP]

Wow...man thats awesome!!!!!!

[Daves69Coupe]

Got the car home and today I got a chance to give it a bath. Horrible lack of photography composition with the house and family cars in the background, but you can get an idea. And yes, the car is one color. It just never looks the same. No digs at the hood prop.
I took it out to top off the gasoline (no gauges so I don't know how much I have) and it really, really turns heads. One guy walked around the car with his iphone taking a video. LOL

57845

looks amazing man. great paint choice!

[mc84_zz4]

^^x 2 very nice choice!
Looking forward to more pics! :cheers:

[jc70chevy]

i love that color its bad a$$

[85coupe50]

I love the color... 2 months later and no updates? That thing GLOWS! Awesome work.

[gsxrken]

I love the color... 2 months later and no updates? That thing GLOWS! Awesome work.

Yeah, progress had slowed. I have been focused on my other "other" car. Motor and trans out, and some mods to the Porsche have consumed a lot more time and my patience for car work than I would have believed.

I do have some updates from the last two weeks. I've been in wiring detective mode. Every single wire of my original 18 pin connector to the gauge printed circuit had to be identified, labeled, and then soldered to the right wire on the gauge harnesses. I also had to run an electronic speedo sensor from my TKO.
62365

The New Vintage gauges have reasonably good directions, but they don't tell you anything about your car's wiring schematics.
62366

After many stripping, soldering, heat-shrink routines, I have illuminated gauges. Which, I'm embarrassed to say, is the first time since the second Reagan administration that I have lights in the gauges. My car would always pop the 4amp fuse that was for dash lights, and I could not figure out why.
62367

Tracy at Anvil came through with the first of the second generation rear spoilers for the 69.70 Mustang. They have been great to work with.
62368

The camera angle must be funny here because the gaps don't look the same in the photo... in person it looks quite good.
62369

[gsxrken]

I also expect my Recaro seats this Friday via FexEx. This has been a very frustrating experience. I paid 75% of a big number back in December to Ron's JJ Custom Interiors... and then he went dark for three months. Evidently he has had all sorts of medical issues and family problems. There is some real hate on him on FB, Pelican Parts forum and vwvortex, a lot of promises and broken commitments etc. and folks were assuming they were just screwed by another vendor taking deposits and not ordering parts. We've read enough of vendor implosions here, haven't we? Anyway, he reemerged in April and has slowly been catching up. Slowly being the operative word. I'm not happy that seats ordered in December- promised for mid-March- arrive in August... but that will fade after a while. The cell phone pic of the seats look great. The orange Recaro lettering and seat stitching should kick my interior up a notch or two.

62370

62481

[gsxrken]

More updates- got the turnbuckles installed on the front chin spoiler. Jake's Rod Shop bent up the splitter for me and I believe has it patterned so he can duplicate them if anyone is interested.
The turnbuckles are from Joe's Racing Supply and have a really cool swivel stanchion setup that makes angles a breeze. The threaded tubes needed to be cut down (thanks Dirk) for the two different lengths I needed. I thought I wanted to angle them, but straight ended up looking better. No shots from further away yet, since the car is still up in the air for the interior work. Still need to put the dashboard pad together and run some power and ground for the seats.

62408

62409

62410

[ZuperZport]

Looking good Ken.....real good...."top notch"!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNlLunDLIW8

Seems like the horizon is in site....Sunday a.m. car cruise soon....Dirk can run blocker.... like he did for those 300 cases of Coors way back.

(Oh....and don't think I did not notice that sexy garage floor you got going on there!! Sharp!!)

[gsxrken]

(Oh....and don't think I did not notice that sexy garage floor you got going on there!! Sharp!!)

Sharp eyes, my friend. The floor does look great, and it's clean enough and dry enough etc that it allows me to lie on it and scoot around without a creeper. What blows about it (and I'll bet you know this :-) ) is that any tiny bolt or washer that drops on it goes between the ribs and laughs at me. I can only pray that it is steel so a magnet has a chance of retrieving it! A spill would be interesting as well.

It's amazing to think that I thought I might be ready for RTTS2 in April, and it's August and I'm still not. That's partially Attention Deficit and partially vendor stories. I don't have to tell you. We'll get out there this year for sure. When's Mamaroneck?

[ZuperZport]

I agree on the flooring....looks great....but any little part can slip through....although you can separate sections fairly easy to retrive. One word of wisdom - careful moving around on the points of your knee caps - the shape of the ribs will cause unspeakable pain!!

Just got the skinny on the Harbor Island Show:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Hope to see you there!!

[vanzuuk1]

Ken took a few hours of his time to help me sort a persistent oil leak on my car yesterday, we did intake gaskets in just under two hours. Engine builder drilled alignment holes in the head and manifold , and the epoxy he used to fill them had failed in one spot. Much thanks Ken.

[vanzuuk1]

And Nick (liverpool) and Scott (zupersport) both offered to help later in the week..thanks boys.

[gsxrken]

So, I finally got the car outside again and was able to take a few pics. Look like I will be able to make the Mamaroneck show with you adolescents after all.
This shot captures a lot of what the car is now. The stance, the flares, the straight panels, nice wide rolling stock, the front splitter, the mirrors, and the wild color.
After 25 years of ownership, I can say I am pretty happy with where it ended up. Of course there is rattles, vibrations, squeaks, smells, and an exhaust tone that discourages conversation, but that is all for another day. For the rest of the NY driving season, I'd like to simply turn the key and smile.

64034

64035

64036

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/09/DSC_0001_2JPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/09/DSC_0010JPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/09/DSC_0013JPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/09/DSC_0014JPG-1.jpg

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

wow!

more pics!!!

[Jeff70]

How do you like the Recaro's? What did you use for mounts?

[gsxrken]

Hi Jeff- the mounts are simple enough. They bolt to the floor in the stock Mustang holes, and have the Recaro spacing for the sliders that bolt to the bottom of the seat. Evidently the spacing is pretty standard for most aftermarket seats. Here's an in-progess shot:
64044

The seats are great. They have all sorts of adjustment knobs for bolsters and shoulder wing width, and a lumbar air system that allows one to fill the seats and allow air out of three separate bladders with those three blue buttons, which release air from separate chambers. The seats are also heated. I don't know what they are out of, but I heard they were optionally available in 1980s high-end German sports cars for as much as $5k.(!) One drawback is that the fronts rise up a bit more than stock or the Procars I had, so clearance to the steering wheel is quite tight. I may get a quick disconnect from Cobra Automotive for easier egress. Once seated, they are extremely comfortable. A bigger guy might complain about the width of the seats, FWIW, but for my 6-1, 190lb frame they are perfect.






wow!

more pics!!!

Got a few more from today I'll try to post up. Site seems to be having issues uploading IMG links at the moment.

ON EDIT- NO IDEA WHY MY LINKS APPEAR AS ATTACHMENTS, AND HOW I CAN DELETE ATTACHMENTS IN EDITING A POST. ANY IDEAS?

[ZuperZport]

Looks great Ken!

[WS6]

Love it! Congrats on getting to spend time driving it a little this year.

[1970 TT Rustang]

Car looks great what size heads are you using?

[MrQuick]

awesome work, great job.....after all the drama I must say the seats was worth it.

[fvike]

Wow! Awesome work! More pics:rolleyes:

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

saw the pics.. AWESOME!

[LeighP]

Looks terrific...great combo.
Who's mirrors are they?

[MattWash08]

stumbled upon this thread, and I love the car!! Ill be happy if I can gt my 69 to look even half as good!

[gsxrken]

Haven't checked in recently, but I ended up having a great time with the car while the NorthEast weather permitted. I got the panhard bar squared away, had to rework the exhaust over the axle a bit so it wouldn't rattle, and I swapped out a torn transmission mount and twisted driveshaft with a nice aluminum one from Inland, a sponsor of this site.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/2012_4_6_18_4-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/2012_9_28_17_11-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/2012_12_27_18_15-1.jpg


And Nick, Dirk, and I got to use the cars the way we built them to be used up at a new track in the Catskills, NY area. So yeah, it's been a great year with the car!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/2012_12_27_18_16-1.jpg

[ZuperZport]

Looking good Ken!

Your Stang all dialed-in is gonna be a lot of fun this season.

"Tuning" is under rated.

"Building" is fun too - but can be over whelming at times.

Look forward to seeing the Stang in action this spring!

[rtwind02]

Sweet Car!!! What type of Anvil hood did you install?

[gsxrken]

Looks terrific...great combo.
Who's mirrors are they?
Sorry for the delay- the mirrors are from Virginia Classic Mustang.
http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/66-GT350-BULLET-MIRROR-EXACT-USA-MADE-P7451.aspx
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/er1991-1.jpg


Looking good Ken!
Your Stang all dialed-in is gonna be a lot of fun this season.
"Tuning" is under rated.
"Building" is fun too - but can be over whelming at times.
Look forward to seeing the Stang in action this spring!
Really looking forward to some low-buck tuning and a lot of seat time this year. At least two track days have to happen, too!


Sweet Car!!! What type of Anvil hood did you install?
Thank you- is that car in your sig the one from the recent PHR? That car was forget-the-mortgage-awesome.
I got their carbon/fiberglass extractor hood in clear gloss, but JRS sanded down the clear and reshot it with a root-beer tint to better match the Tangelo Orange.

I put some quieter Dynaflow turbo mufflers on the car near the end of the year. A definite improvement in passenger comfort. I am tempted to go with some dynamat and then maybe even a radio. Mid-term I'd like to install an oil cooler. Longer term I need to either pull the TKO600 and have Liberty Gear redo the sliders so I can find 3rd gear over 6000RPM and install the .83 overdrive gear... or just man up for a T56. But not this year. I just want to beat on it for a while.

[rfalker1]

wow the car looks incredible!! good job!! Now I want some of those gauges!! they are sickening

[DarkBuddha]

Hadn't checked this thread in a while. Absolutely amazing car! Every detail looks great and it really creates an impact. Well done!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

gawd damn..

someone give me a higher rez photo of this pic!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/12/2012_12_27_18_16-1.jpg

thats a little Streetfighter meeting..

[rtwind02]

Thanks for the response on your hood, what a kick ass color! That is my car in the March issue of PHR. I am just like you waiting to get some serious seat time in this car this spring/summer.


Sorry for the delay- the mirrors are from Virginia Classic Mustang.
http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/66-GT350-BULLET-MIRROR-EXACT-USA-MADE-P7451.aspx
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/er1991-1.jpg


Really looking forward to some low-buck tuning and a lot of seat time this year. At least two track days have to happen, too!


Thank you- is that car in your sig the one from the recent PHR? That car was forget-the-mortgage-awesome.
I got their carbon/fiberglass extractor hood in clear gloss, but JRS sanded down the clear and reshot it with a root-beer tint to better match the Tangelo Orange.

I put some quieter Dynaflow turbo mufflers on the car near the end of the year. A definite improvement in passenger comfort. I am tempted to go with some dynamat and then maybe even a radio. Mid-term I'd like to install an oil cooler. Longer term I need to either pull the TKO600 and have Liberty Gear redo the sliders so I can find 3rd gear over 6000RPM and install the .83 overdrive gear... or just man up for a T56. But not this year. I just want to beat on it for a while.

[gsxrken]

Quick update, as posted over in the General Section, I received my rendering of the car from Ben Meissner (srdart) of www.streetroddesigns.com
Ben had donated his time and skills for a Rendering for a charity auction this site held last Christmas. It's just amazing to have such a nice piece of art of my car.
And I had no idea custom framing at my local art supply cost as much as it does. No idea...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/02/2013_2_25_19_20-1.jpg

[rtwind02]

have you had any issues with the anvil hood?

[gsxrken]

have you had any issues with the anvil hood?

No, and hopefully I never do. It's been a year and a half now so far so good.
It sounds like you might be? Clear coat failing?

[69FB]

Ken I too had a question about the Anvil hood. Since you went with the CF/Fiberglass combo have you had any shrinkage? I've seen plenty of fiberglass hoods do this with custom and aftermarket paint jobs. I was just curious as to your overall impression. It is really my only concern with the hood because I sure do not want to pay for the full CF one since it will be painted. Although I am now leaning more towards doing something like yours where a portion of the CF is exposed. Really like the look and stance of your car.

[rtwind02]

the issue I have been having is the bowing in the hood. Anvil has been awesome with they follow up but the second hood is better but not perfect. Did you have any of these issues? I am using stock hinges with light duty springs.




7534775348

[rtwind02]

75349

The finish & quality of the hood has been good but really need to find a solution for the bowing.

I am going to try this option.

http://www.aerocatch.com/

What hood springs are you using?

[gsxrken]

Whoa, sorry about that hood bowing on you like that. Mine has not done that, maybe because I have no hood hinge springs at all? I took mine out and still haven't addressed the lack of a prop rod. A friend of mine has one for me but I just haven't hooked up with him yet to retrieve it and see if it will work. I still use a broom stick for when I need to check something on the engine, which isn't often.
I just poked my head down into the garage and took a cell phone shot; you can see my hood is still nice and flat. Also notice the original hood pins, but without the Mach 1 cables. I actually do own a set of the Aerocatch locks just like you posted, but haven't installed them yet. I have determined that the hole I would need to cut out for them would be large enough to encompass the hole from the original pin setup, but I would need to fab up a bracket on the radiator support for the Aerocatch's red post to mount to. It doesn't land on the top of the rad support like the original one did. Anyway, that was enough for me to bail on the install up to this point. They require a fairly large commitment and dremel work on an expensive hood!

On edit- you can also notice the missing top windshield molding in the pic. This is the second time one piece or another has flown off during a track day. I need to find a better solution.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/04/2013_4_27_23_36-1.jpg

[hotwheels]

I'm not sure why the hood would shrink after painting unless you only paited the top side and the paint, itself shrank, thus pulling the hood. I would think, however, that in that case it would warp the hood in the other direction. The hood on the Anvil hood still fits perfectly, but we don't have any springs on the hinges. I believe the most predominent cause of composite hood warpage is under hood heat, which is why you usually see hoods warp up in the middle. If heated siginificantly more on one side that the other, the resin in a composite hood can shrink once it cycles hot to cool over and over. Hood springs (whether coils or gas) that are exerting constant pressure on a hood when closed, can also lead to warpage (especially when combined with hood spring forces). In order to alleviate these issues, we are starting make a lot of our poplular parts using pre-preg cloth that is cured in the molds in an autoclave. This method is the best way to make composites. It's also the most expensive, but we are able to keep costs down with the parts that we make a lot of, so these parts won't cost as much as we had to charge for them before. As a matter of fact, our new pricing considers this process, so there won't be another price increase because of this. These pre-preg (or dry carbon) parts will hold up to outside forces like heat and hood springs much better.
You may be able to dewarp a hood by carefully and slowly heating it with a heat gun, while clamping the edge being heated with a long piece of wood, like a 2 X 2 with a clamp at both ends. You can set the wood and clamps, so it's putting some pressure on the hood to start, then apply some heat and tighten as you go. Using some small pieces of wood on the underside where the clamps make contact will protect the surface from being marred. You only want to heat the bottom, because heating the top side can make the weave texture come through the gel coat.

[69FB]

Thanks Matt for responding. I really love the hood and the only thing I was worried about was a CF/Fiberglass combo. I wish I could afford one of your full carbon hoods but it's not in the budget right now. I really love what you did to your 69 and what you have done for the aftermarket parts for all the cars you have worked with. Glad to know removing the springs will help decrease the chances of the bowing.

Again thanks for all the info.

[WILWAXU]

Great looking build!