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66 GT Fastback-Major body reconstruction

This is an original 1966 Mustang Fastback GT. It was in really poor condition, and found in a field sitting on the ground,  despite its 41 years of abuse it still retains the original left door and more importantly the original door ID tag, The GT is well equipped with Pony Interior, A code 225 hp engine , 4 speed and an unusual traction lock rear end. It has great colors of Wimbledon white and a two tone pony interior. The first step in a job of this magnitude was a thorough media blast, that's the first picture in this series.

You don't see this every day.

Yes, we are still removing the damaged metal, We will sandblast the skeleton  and spray weld though primer on the inside of the frames and various parts covered by sheet metal,  it truly amazing the amount of concealed surface rust that would be otherwise covered up if this step were not undertaken. This process will make this fastback better than new.

Still cutting, notice the GT supports, does your GT have these?

Here is a shot of the new Dynacorn 1 piece floor and 1 piece trunk being installed, new life for this old pony, Notice the all metal patch to the original torque box,  and the rosette welds to simulate the factory spot welds, and the properly relocated dual exhaust brake hose support bracket.

The replacement left hand rocker wasn't made right, so we used it to repair the original rocker, shown here is the removal of the original part. definitely don't try this at home. Painstaking measurements need to be made to ensure the car "goes" back together properly.

Here is the body with the quarters and firewall mostly installed, notice all the work is being done on a FRAME machine, this mustang has excellent body lines so far, the new/used/restored dash and cowl assembly still needs to be installed.

Well the front ends back on, and we had the whole car media blasted again to remove the overseas primer and to prep the shell for  the next step. the blasting also helps to conceal the grinder marks from the welding process. We operate two rotisseries to keep up with production.

Wow, check out this brand new body.  about 400 hours of labor and a truckload of new parts,  The car was sprayed in our Concord heated downdraft paint booth with a CPM exclusive primer, it's a direct to metal epoxy primer, tinted to red oxide, it gives the body that  "NOS"  look and superior corrosion protection. This GT Fastback is ready for the next phase, bodywork the front end and doors.  With the body going this fast, we better get started on the drive train and suspension.

Transmission assembly

The original Top loader HEH-BW was completely rebuilt and actually need some new gears, you can see them in the Pics. The whole trans was detailed and looks terrific, this level of detail is one of our specialties.  The entire shifter assembly was disassembled, glass bead blasted, worn pivot points welded up and re machined and put back together will all new parts, it shifts great!

Rear axle assembly

The 8" Traction lock rear end was completely rebuilt with all new bearings and seals, the properly date coded "pumpkin" was also rebuilt with a new ring and pinion gear and Timken bearings throughout. We upgraded the ratio to a "better  for acceleration 3.50 set."  We sand basted the housing and backing plates, then sprayed them with colar primer and finally top coated with a super tuff, super shinny 2 stage epoxy gloss black paint.  All new brake components, new hard, and soft lines finish off this job. Every part on this rear was painted with etch primer and top coated for lasting protection and good looks.

Concourse correct carrier nuts and copper washers, a axle vent hose set and the original rear axle tag will complete this gem.

Engine

The Original 289 A Code engine block was cracked and already bored .040 over, so we up graded the engine to a "original looking 66 Shelby lemans style motor".  That's on the outside, on the inside the Ford Racing roller cam block sports a 347 stoker kit with forged crank and socket head type connecting rods. its running the B-303 camshaft and aluminum 1.6 roller rockers. We used cast iron Windsor jr. heads with bigger ports and valves than the stock 289 heads,  The entire assembly was balanced and blueprinted.  It will run as good as it looks. 

Misc Interior parts

We sand blasted all the seat frames, then primed and painted with Dupont " Hotrod" black paint, better than new for sure, check out the all new burlap, listing wires and foam. The actual upholstery was a definite special order, its white and light ivy gold pony, not very common. Also here's some pics of the restored pony glove box door, a new steel backed wood appliqué, chrome emblem and some black wrinkle paint and its good as new.

Back to the body

At This stage the body seams need to be sealed against the elements, Ford didn't do a real good job here and the rust we already fixed is proof of that. We put the car up on a rotisserie making this job a lot easier, today's automotive products have been vastly improved over even just a few years ago, let alone the 60's.  We Fully Colar prime the chassis inside and out, then seam seal, then in certain areas we may again re-prime and paint for best appearance, this way primer protects the metal, the seam sealer just seals out the moisture and makes for good looks at the factory panel seams.