The new 68 coupe is at the body shop

[d_ford]

I took my new 68 coupe to my friends body shop today. We're going to paint it back to original and put the vinyl top back on. Hopefully we'll have it done by the time the cruise-ins start. I still have to rebuild the 289 and then do some cleaning on it but it's a rust and accident free car so hopefully it won't take too long to finish.
Here is a picture of it in it's current condition, I'll try to post more when it's done.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj188/ohiofirelt/mustangs/68coupefirstpics003.jpg?t=1205542888

[6t9MachI]

Looks like a nice project. Good luck, Doug!

[Junior2561]

Nice! should look nice when finished

[2007GT/CS]

Cool! Wheels?

[d_ford]

I ditched the aluminum wheels that are in the picture and put a set of original 68 styled steel wheels on it.

[resurection]

Thank God. Those old wheels are hideous!

[d_ford]

I'm moving along on the restoration of the coupe. I've got the top sanded and used a product called chassis saver I got through my PPG supplier to neutralize the surface rust. I painted the roof so the paint will have some time to cure before installing the new vinyl top. The paint supplier said it needed 90 days to cure or I may have problems with lifting. So much for having it done before the cruise-in's start. The engine compartment is cleaned, sanded and painted so it's ready for the engine when I get it done.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_24_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_17_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_20_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_27_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_36_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_39_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_43_full.jpg

[6t9MachI]

Looking good Doug! Are you rebuilding the 289 to stock specs or are you warming it up a bit?

[d_ford]

It'll be mostly stock. I may do a cam change and dual exhaust but that'll probably be about it. I want this one to just be a reliable driver. I'll get the a/c working and have something I can drive anywhere. My fastback is gonna be so radical and the race fuel will be so expensive I probably won't drive it long distances.

[sobots]

Ok, I'm going to ask a dumb question. Why did you paint the roof, if you're putting a vinyl top on?

[6t9MachI]

It keeps it from rusting. You can get a lot of humidity and moisture under a vinyl top.

[d_ford]

Yup. If you look at the first pictures, that's what happens to the steel after a while under the vinyl top. It draws moisture and rusts. They didn't paint the roof or painted them very sparingly from the factory and the primer is porous so that's why you see so many vinyl tops with bubbling underneath from the growing rust.
The paint looks white but it's actually the original diamond blue color. A PO changed the color to brittany blue and although I like that color ok, I want to put it back to original. I think with the black vinyl top and black reflective C stripe it'll look pretty sharp when it's done.

[d_ford]

Got some painting done, I'm painting it myself and it's only the second car I've done an overall paint job on but so far it's looking good. I've already painted most of the panels off the car and I just shot the unibody yesterday. I have a few pics of the panels after paint but haven't got the rest of the pics done yet.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_48_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_56_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_59_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_62_full.jpg

I still have to block and buff, I'll post more pics as I get them.

[6t9MachI]

Doug, I'm going to be really upset if you get your back on the road before I do ;)

[d_ford]

This car hasn't been on the road for 15 years so it's due.
Don't worry, even if I get this one done pretty quick, the 68 fastback is still a long ways off from being done. I know yours will be back on the road before that one will.
How's your rebuild coming?

[6t9MachI]

I've got the motor back in...had some problems with the Hooker headers I had fitting right. I ended up buy some Hedmans today; what complete pieces of crap! Complete junk, but they look like they will fit better so I guess they are one up on the Hookers there. They came all scratched up, runs in the paint and are just plain cheap looking; I spent the afternoon stripping them and painting them up. They look decent now. I'm hoping to get the car fired up either Tuesday or Wednesday.

[d_ford]

Here are a few more pics. I'm getting there.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_99_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_101_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_102_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_103_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_104_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_114_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_118_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_119_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_122_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2945000-2945999/2945065_123_full.jpg

[6t9MachI]

The top looks like it turned out good! Keep up the good work!

[Junior2561]

nice!!!

[classic boost]

looks like you're doing some nice work!

[H8R]

arn't you afraid of getting rear ended and blowing up in that thing?

[TrickVert]

Ok, I'm going to ask a dumb question. Why did you paint the roof, if you're putting a vinyl top on?

I've got a dumb question, too. Why put the vinyl top back on unless you're going for 100% stock appearance/concourse?

Blech! (JMO, though) ;)

Nice project. I suspect, based on your other work, it will turn out fantastic regardless. Can't wait to see it.

Andy

EDIT: I actually just saw the pic showing the top and C-stripe, and might have to change my opinion.

[d_ford]

arn't you afraid of getting rear ended and blowing up in that thing?

That's an old wives tale. It COULD happen, but not likely. Back in the day I used to see a bunch of these old mustangs in junkyards with rear end hits and none had the tank split open.

[d_ford]

I've got a dumb question, too. Why put the vinyl top back on unless you're going for 100% stock appearance/concourse?

Blech! (JMO, though) ;)

Nice project. I suspect, based on your other work, it will turn out fantastic regardless. Can't wait to see it.

Andy

EDIT: I actually just saw the pic showing the top and C-stripe, and might have to change my opinion.

I am going for 100% stock but I actually like a vinyl top car if the colors contrast nicely. I think this one does.

[GT Tangerine]

looks great!!:)