Day 1

Moving the Mach into the shop from the field did take a little bit of work since it had been sitting there for several years in the same spot and was quite settled into its role of sundial and varmint homestead.  Dad’s tractor would be called in to action to aid with this task.  Actually the tractor did most of the work.  We wrapped a heavy strap around under the front bumper supports and the loader on the tractor then lifted the front end of the car while dad pulled the car around to the front of the shop.   Then we pushed the car back into the shop, the tires were still at least half full of air after sitting all this time.  (ok, it really wasn’t this easy)   This is not actually the only field the car had sat in, but this latest pony corral had seen it for about 8 years at least.

With the car in the shop one of the first things we did was pop the hood; again.   What a mess!!  Rat city!!  Actually the Mach’s latest inhabitants were rabbits who had gained control of the apartment complex under the hood.  It made a nice nesting area with the carb removed years ago for some reason.

That first day was getting the car moved, taking a little inventory, sitting in the car looking around, pondering what and where to start.  I snapped some pics of the car as I knew I wanted to document this rebuild very well, and would most likely need them to get things back the way they were.  Reference photos.  Lots of ideas and future plans were discussed that day between me and dad.  How we’re gonna do this, how we’re gonna do that.  Oh, the possibilities!

                                  Nice shot of "Engine Bay Deluxe Apartment Towers"

                                           As you can see they had a luxurious suite.

   It had taken a hit on this quarter and had a few pounds of filler here. It will need replaced with all the damage and rust.

                               Another replacement prospect with al the rust hard to see damage.

Hmmm... guess the back end took a hit sometime too. I see alot of replacements coming.  How do you like those shackles hanging down there??  Nice huh?  Also the factory rear louvers are on the shelf in the corner already.

 

 

 

 

Yes, more rust and more parts to buy.  Over all for sitting outide for this many years the thing really wasn't in too bad of shape. Could have been alot worse.  Now lts see what the interior is looking like. 

 

 

 

Factory blue, which will be making the change to black.  Right, not stock.  The original dash pad is in the back seat and the new dash pad I bought twenty years ago is still in the box on the shelf, along with the new seat covers.

 

 

There's that dash pad.  Just how much of this original interior will be used remans to be seen, but I will be trying to utilize as much as I can.

 

 

I guess as an overview it is really not terrible considering the time it spent in the weather.  As you might imagine the floor pans are toast and included with that was the unfortunate find of my build sheet under the front floor pan carpet instead of tucked up under the rear seat.  Toast would be a good word for it as well.