Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick

[HotRod47]

I haven't been able to do any work on the car lately. I have been busy doing a couple side jobs so that I can buy parts though.

In the last few weeks I have picked up a new aluminum radiator, new billet grill, new rear sway bar, 2" lowering block kit, got a good deal on a new March Perf. serp set for the 5.0, and a rear body panel from a 68 Mustang that will house the Shelby taillights.

This is a steel unit that, on a Mustang, replaces the stock rear body panel and on a Shelby eliminates the need for the fiberglass panel that goes over the steel panel. Of course it is made for a Mustang so there will be some fab work involved. But I think the Shelby lights will look much better than the stock Mav. taillights!

Pretty soon I will be back on the car

[HotRod47]

I have finally finished a side job I was doing and was able to spend some quality therapy time in the garage working on the Mav. I purchased the new steel repo. tail panel that allows you to install Shelby taillights in a 67-68 Mustang. I new with just a bit of fabrication I could get this to fit nice rather than using a fiberglass one. One way or the other I would have to spend around the same money so I decided to go with the steel panel.

The part itself is made by Dynacorn. I purshased it from Mustangs Unlimited since their Manchester Ct. store is 3 towns over from me.


Here is the back of the car as I started..


After a little trimming I was able to get a better handle on how things were going to fit, Not bad!!


Here I have the stock rear tail pan trimmed and sprayed some weld threw primer on the bare metal..


Got the new panel tacked onto place..


On the sides is where most of the fab work came into play. The stock Mustang tail panel is concave where the Maverick is flat. So I had to cut, trim, slit the metal and hammer and dolly everything to where the transistions looked like it should have been Ford made.



And here is how it is now. I have to finish up some of the welding along the bottom and a few other spots, but, all in all I think it fits and looks great.


It feels good to have been able to work on the car again! It's been way too long..
Glenn

[Roger M]

That looks real good.. almost like it would have come from the factory like that.
Nice work.