1969 Ford Mustang | Projects

1969 Ford Mustang

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The Project

This 1969 Ford Mustang arrived into the Carrosserie workshop in December 2023 for bodywork repair and fabrication, full respray, engine overhaul and rebuild.

Updates

22nd February 2024: Work commences with areas of fabrication work to the underside and left floor pan. Part of the left footwell has been replaced and lowered. Old welds/patches have began to be tidied up from previous works.

15th May 2025: Test fitting on rear spoiler. Bonnet scoop fitting. Front wings prepped for primer. Prepping inner wing area for epoxy primer and fresh stonechip. Work carried out on n/s rear arch, repair holes from corrosion, weld and dress. Location and fitment of both seats bases, weld and dress. Repair rear bulkhead/ firewall because of missing welds and poor fitment.

30th May 2025: Removing transport primer on all new panels. Prepare the OS, NS rear quarters for lead loading. Take the surface back to shiny metal, then clean with acetone and begin to tin the areas to be leaded. Reheat the surface and apply the lead liberally and shape. Once shaped, apply a coat of layout fluid so the body shop can sand it smooth ready for a skim of fine filler.

6th June 2025: Work continues with taking the body shell and panels back to bare metal. The lead loading has been finished and sanded to blend in.

18th June 2025: Wings scrubbed with Jenolite rust remover sanded and epoxy primed and in underside of wings coated in Novol Polycoat. Bonnet cut to make scoop functional.

16th July 2025: Wings and vent grille/scuttle epoxy primer has been completed and the panels have been refitted. The rest of the bodywork prep is nearly complete, so this will also move over to paint prep very soon.

15th August 2025: Epoxy primer has been applied to the last parts of the bodywork and doors. Boot lid hinges have been painted. The doors will be test fitted and then further prep/filler work will be carried out before final paintwork can commence.

> More updates to follow.

History

It’s hard for us here in 21st century England to appreciate the sheer impact that the Ford Mustang had when it was launched to the American public in late 1964. In 1950s America, choice and freedom of expression were in short supply. But as the children of the post war baby boom began to come of age, it became clear that new thinking would be needed to cater for a generation raised on rock n’ roll, a generation which wasn’t content to make do and be grateful, a generation that wanted more.

The Ford Mustang was the result. The project had been led by Lee Iacocca, a former engineer turned marketing man who knew how to sizzle and sell. It was based on the drivetrain of the conventional Ford Falcon, meaning reliable and proven parts – but clothed in a new and desirable body. One which came with a wide choice of colours and options, one where, in theory, no two Mustangs need be quite the same. And that’s before the engine and transmission choices. You could have a humble 170ci (2.8-litre) six pot with an automatic transmission, or a 289ci (4.7 litre) V8 with four on the floor. Three bodystyles – coupé, fastback and convertible – added to the potential to create a car which afforded owners the choice they craved.

And as the Mustang was the latest thing, it’s not surprising that it came replete with media and film attention. The Mustang has made thousands of film and television appearances going back to Goldfinger and Bullitt appearances that gave the Mustang a life of its own. What a shame, then, that it took until 2015 for Ford to make the world’s favourite muscle car available in Britain’s Blue Oval showrooms. Imports were the only route, and one that plenty of Brits followed.

As time passes interest is rising, and as those early cars fast approach their 60th birthdays values show growth. They’re dependable and parts are freely available, while it’s simple enough that you could do much of the maintenance yourself, so it’s just the job for someone taking their first steps into classic car ownership.