Hot To Trot
Project Pony
We thought it only fitting that the next restoration
project we followed was a Mustang (celebrating its 50th birthday). Meet Project
Pony!
Meet
Classic American’s Project Pony, it’s only had three owners in 50 years; well
there were others, the ones who had the best intentions of bringing this
sad-looking Mustang back to its former glory. This early convertible (or as
they are commonly referred to: ’64 ½ Mustangs’,) was built on July 30, 1964 and
was one of the last to peel off the production line at Ford’s Dearborn assembly
plant in Detroit before the change over to the proper ’65 model year production
commenced in the beginning of August 1964. Up until this time 28,833 convertibles had been produced,
and this one particular one was delivered to Dan Rohyan’s Ford dealership in
Columbus Ohio for its new owner, a professional lady. It’s very likely that it
was she who ordered the car with power-steering and power-hood, plus the
attractive center console option and push-button radio. This brand-new Mustang
must have looked quite a sight, sat on the forecourt, awaiting collection, with
its silver smoke grey paintwork, a color that looks brighter than it sounds.
This first owner would have enjoyed driving the sporty little ’Stang with its
three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission and hot little 260cu in V8. And with so
many exciting options and sales outstripping Dearborn’s capacity, the Mustang
made for some welcome black ink in Ford’s ledgers after all the red ink of the
Edsel debacle just a few years earlier.
Ford dealership in Columbus Ohio for
its new owner, a professional lady
Some
years later our Mustang had changed owners, to a gentleman who used the car for
about four years. A lack of maintenance gave rise to engine problems and the
car was laid up. Some bodywork had been carried out prior to this, as well as a
re-spray in prairie bronze. Over the years the Ohio winters took their toll,
with the car’s main structure suffering from serious corrosion in all the usual
places.
Bodger’s
Delight
In
an attempt to save the car from terminal rust, large pieces of metal were
brazed into the worst areas. Unfortunately, this was never going to be a total
success, as the main chassis sections were only half completed; although even
this bodged attempt at restoration could well have saved this car from ending
its days in the crusher. One thing that has survived virgo intacta was the cowl
panel in front of the windscreen, something that would suggest that the car had
been garaged. This lengthy garaging means it’s covered fewer miles than might
have been the case if it had originated from Arizona or any other dry state,
where old cars can continue to be used, as long as economic repairs keep them
cruising the great American highways.The second owner probably had enough of
this tired old car taking up space and sold it to a buyer in Kentucky who in
turn quickly realised that this was going to be a more involved restoration
project than he’d anticipated. Like so many project classic cars, it ended up on
eBay and a buyer from London made the final bid. The car was delivered to a
restoration shop in Florida, only for this to falter as well and finally the car
was shipped to the UK, with the unfortunate loss of the two front wings and
also the original power steering pump. Yet again the unwanted convertible came
up for sale, this time in the UK. Looking for a retirement project Rob Woodall,
from Crewe in Cheshire contacted the seller in London and a deal was done.
Since that time Rob and the vendor have become firm friends. This is so often
the way, as there is a sort of common bond of interest and enthusiasm in the
classic American car scene. It transpired this car was what Rob looked for in a
project car: a decayed time piece, still with its original door data tag and
the period correct 64 ½ parts; says Rob: “It’s all there –well mostly –ready to
be brought back to its sharp looks. A true American icon!”
Like so many project classic cars, it
ended up on eBay and a buyer from London made the final bid
The
Face is Familiar
Rob’s
previous experience of old car restorations has included such oddities as
Renault R8 Gordinis and an Alpine A110, plus a couple of Mk1 Escorts. Then more
recently, his Mustang convertible won car of the year back in 2010. He prefers
to do all work himself, learning as many young lads did in the Fifties and
Sixties, from their dads, working on the family car and a later spell in a main
dealer workshop. Having retired now, his plan was to restore this car in such a
way that he did not go the welltrodden path of replacing the outer panels for
new reproduction ones. Rather he wanted to fabricate as much as possible, as
this would be a more rewarding experience and restoration; there would also be
the added satisfaction of preserving original factory seams and other features
such as the chassis VIN numbers and date codes.
Renault R8 Gordinis and an Alpine
A110, plus a couple of Mk1 Escorts
