68 Mustang Coupe

[rickpaw]

Now that my 67 Firebird is somewhat done, I went out on a search for a new project, and found this 68 Mustang coupe shell with a title. The main goal is to build it for auto-cross and open track days. Suspension upgrades will be DSE front/rear, still have to save up some $$$ for DSE stuff. Hoping to have it saved up by the end of the year. By that time I should have the bodywork portion completed.

Picked up the car south of Dallas on the way back from 2012 Power Tour.



What am I getting into?






Me with my latest money pit.

[rickpaw]

Got it loaded up and dragged it back home to Houston.


First thing I did was ripped off the interior or what was left of it, and sold the front seats/C6 transmission/and misc stuff and recovered half of the money I had buying the car.

The PO had fixed the rusting floor pan by fiber glassed rubber mats over the floor pans, and put tar over the joints. Of course it took me less than 1 hr to rip everything out, as the floor pans are crumpling underneath.







A piece of tin covering a hole where the battery used to sit.

[rickpaw]

One of the bumper bolt broke off, so I removed part of the frame, removed/replaced the nut, and welded everything back up.





I removed the rusted front aprons/rad support, and Test fitting the new replacements.

[rickpaw]

I cut off the VIN's from the original aprons, and transfered them to the new ones.

[rickpaw]

Time to tackle the floor pan. Same routine, cut the rust out and replace with the new one.









I have read that convertible rockers can be used to stiffen up the shell so I ordered a pair. I cut them to length and tie them to the front/rear torque boxes.

[rickpaw]

Floor is finished.



I was leaving the radiator support off, thinking it will make it easier to mock up the engine, but since I'm going with DSE set up, engine mock up won't be necessary so I welded on the radiator support.

[rickpaw]

I've then decided to tackle the floor pan/firewall area.

Rust in the cowl/firewall.





I was debating whether to patch the firewall or replace it when my wife walked by. She looked at the firewall and said "replace it". So cut it out, new firewall and complete cowl panel ordered from CJ.

[rickpaw]

Forgot to ad the pictures.

[turboclevor]

you should build a PT EXP500 clone

[rickpaw]

I like the look of Shelby Mustangs but not sure if I want to do a clone. I do want functional side scoops though, so I have to figure out how to make it work on the coupe.

[67TXStang]

Nice project! I've a '67 Mustang myself which I'm working on. I'm looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

[68EFIvert]

I will be watching your progress as well. Looks great and thanks for sharing. I have a 68 Mustang convertible so they are dear to my heart.

[rickpaw]

Thanks for the positive comments. It will be a slow project.

@68EFIvert: I really like your projects. Had a chance to look at your convertible at a car show in Vancouver, WA when I was still living there.

[Z06killinSBF]

Looking much better!

[preston]

Love the Green Hornet ! I'm building a copy of that car myself except the paint will be blue, the car is being widened 4" and sits 4" off the ground and runs 335 tires front and rear ha ha.

Good luck on your '68, looks like you have a good start on repairing the rust.

[rustomatic]

If you want a track car, you might want to look to track car info, rather than P-T, not that there aren't loads of awesome, informative builds here. The functional frequently outperforms the pretty, and is far less exotic...

...says the guy who just installed an electric power steering unit...

[rickpaw]

If you want a track car, you might want to look to track car info, rather than P-T, not that there aren't loads of awesome, informative builds here. The functional frequently outperforms the pretty, and is far less exotic...

I plan to use this for open track days, but still have the comfort/convenience of a street car. So it will have AC/heater, and a decent sound system.

[Drewhelm]

Tu, you are now officially ahead of me! LOL Great work so far!

[rickpaw]

Tu, you are now officially ahead of me! LOL Great work so far!

Thanks Drew. If you need help on anything let me know.

I cut off the drip rails since they are rusted, and will have to replace portions of the a pillars. I also will have to remove the roof skin, since the structures behind the sail panels are quite rusty. Seems like the car was turned upside down in salt water, as the frame rails look fine with only surface rust.