Factory Restore or Restomod?

[Blue77]

Hi all, noobie here; but if you don't mind I'm going to jump right in...

Ok, i'm getting my mustang up to the house this weekend (poor baby has been neglected long enough). I need to decide what I'm going to do with her. I'm either going to restore to factory, or restomod.


The car is a 1973 Mustang Mach I, with that, it almost seems a shame to do anything but a factory restore. The problem is parts, since it is so 'rare' a body style, it is almost impossible to get parts for it. Doing custom 'restores' only go so far (you can't do custom interiors that look EXACTLY like the origional, esp since there is almost NO chance of finding an intact factory origional to copy).

I'm really torn. I would love to do a factory restore, but then the HP and suspension are VERY limited (post '69-'70 the same engines took a real nose dive as far as HP went (due to fuel and emissions issues), and they weren't quite there for performance suspsensions either).

What are your opinions?

[Phillyfanfrombirth]

My opinion is that if it is a solid car, go with the factory.

If you've got to do major structural work to it, what the hell... go for the custom.

[Blue77]

Structure is solid (though I'm going to be bringing it to a frame shop to double check the frame). It needs to be stripped and fixed, but nothing too bad for a 30 year old car.

I'm really worried about interior, and if I can't get that restored; then the engine/suspension would be secondary concerns. If it doesn't LOOK stock, then having stock parts really would just be silly, no?

Eh, like I said i'm really torn.

Just an FYI the interrior needs to be gutted (headliner is destroyed, seats/carpet/etc need to be replaced, steering wheel is cracking, etc)

[Dark Knight]

You could make it LOOK stock, 429CJ logo's and decals, but put a stroked 460 in it.. 500+ cubes.. engine would LOOK the same :-)

As for the interior, whats the prob? You can get door panels, arm rests etc for it from the repro places... not cheap, but they make them. Same with dash pads and carpet..

[Blue77]

Originally Posted by Dark Knight

You could make it LOOK stock, 429CJ logo's and decals, but put a stroked 460 in it.. 500+ cubes.. engine would LOOK the same :-)

I have a 351C bored 30 over, but it is hard to get much more out of the engine when you don't upgrade the things you CAN see (could really use a better/more modern carb if you are going to go for real HP, then you need to upgrade the C6 tranny, then you want to redo the rear end; as soon as you do that you really want to upgrade suspension, etc)... but if I go restomod then I will be TRYING to make it look as 'stock' as possible (anything you can't see will be fair game, and this is NOT a daily driver (god who can afford the gas for a bigblock anymore?))

As for the interior, whats the prob? You can get door panels, arm rests etc for it from the repro places... not cheap, but they make them. Same with dash pads and carpet..

Problem is that it is a '73 Mach I whose interrior is COMPLETELY different than any other year/model. My car's interrior is trashed so they couldn't really use that as a pattern, and I've NEVER seen a 73 Mach I with a good stock interrior (or stock looking, I don't mind upgrading materials, as long as they LOOk the same)

[Dark Knight]

Here you go
http://www.perogie.com/

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/projectbuild/26623/

http://www.mach1registry.org/photopo...ry.php?cat=503

So, what is the difference between the 71-73 deluxe interiors?
http://www.metropartsmarket.com/cata...c20_50328.html

Post some pics of the interior... most upholstery shops can match the stock fabric...

[Blue77]

Nice thanks for the links

I did mention that currently the car is British Racing Green with Avacado Interrior, right?

Oh and the 73 has 3 ft^3 more than the 71, so there are SOME differences, though the door panels are the same

[Dark Knight]

Most places sell the interior dyes too..
Where is it bigger? As far as I knew, 71-73 all have the same body..
Might double check... it's bigger than the 69-70....

[Blue77]

I think the extra space is in the rear deck (behind the folding back seat, taking up just a tad more space out of the 'trunk' (I use quotes because that 'thing' is NOT a 'trunk' )

Found out the hard way, with a 71 carpet kit; just a TAD small (but too much)

[Dark Knight]

Might double check.. might have got the wrong carpet too

Try here
http://www.mustangupholstery.com/col...rswatches.html

[Blue77]

Thanks a TON for all of your help!!

[bmxmon]

i say restomod, or modified stock looking. You can throw aftermarket intake and carb on there, paint the intake and use a factory looking air cleaner, which will pretty much cover the carb. The suspension go crazy with, you cant see that very well in the first place and you could paint the stuff to look stock too. Put a modern trans in there, nobody else would probably know, same with the rear end. In the end do whatever you think will make you the happiest.

[69fastback]

My dad is currently putting together a 71 mustang with a cleveland. There are tons of parts out there for it. Lots guys out there with some really fast clevelands. If you just add a few ponies you won't have to do much to the rear and tranny. It is all up to you and how much you want to spend though. I like the restomods myself, but what ever makes you happy. The factory numbers matching cars are worth alot more money though.

By the way Big Blocks are alot more fun and the 100 octane gas I use dosen't bother me a bit.

[okiedragster]

hey nice to see some guys doin some 71-73 's ive gottin a ton of parts off of ebay you just have to be careful and ask the sellers plenty of ?'s. as far as 351c power issues i dont have any issues and i dont have alot of $'s in the old plant thats in my car now and with the 373 gears, i give some school kids a run for their money in those newer cars...lol , and i can drive it anywhere i like, but i think ill get away from the carb soon and go with a holley fuel injection system, years back i put electronic ignition in and with gas like it is now the ole "c" motor needs a lil mpg's. hey as far as the interior goes if yours is completly thashed now would be a good time to go with a completly different color, unless you are just in love with the Avacado..lol (i had a 69 with the same color interior, hated it) like dark knight mentioned you can dye stuff and it works really good to.. dive into it man, its your car do what ever you want, i decided years ago i do what ever i wanna do to my cars as long as im happy with it.. if you have problems give us a hollar

[sixystyle]

Build it how YOU want it. Thats my advice........If you want warming cup holders then go for it. If you want a sun roof then cut the sob open. Hell, my 71 fastback is gonna be a mach1 knock off with a 390 (cause I got it for free), c6 and licence plate that say's "nodda1" LOL dont worry about how it will look to other restorers or judges, just worry about making it as perfect for YOU as you want it to be.

[69fastback]

I agree build it how ever you want it. What every one else thinks does not matter.

[stanger66]

some other web sites you could try for mustang parts is www.mustangdepot.com , www.mustangplus.com , www.cal-mustang.com , they have a lot parts plus you can get the stock looking interiors which come in kits which make it easier on you.