My 1970 Mach 1

Restoration involves rebuilding many different systems, most not very glamourous, such as rebuilding the heater box
and replacing the heater core. I find even rebuilding mundane things zen-like and theraputic. Why else would I do this?

Here's a detail I notice a lot of Mach 1 restorers miss, even on the high dollar cars I see at shows. The '70 Mach 1 uses a
honeycomb rear applique on the taillight panel, and Ford blacked out the areas near the taillights and gas cap so you
don't see body color in the gaps. My car had paint that was very thick and rubberlike, which I duplicated using
liquid rubberized tool coating. I had taken pictures prior to paint stripping to ensure proper placement.

We even replicated the line at the trunk lock that corresponds to the line the upper molding runs.

These are NOS bezels and restored {with a TON of elbow grease} lens and light housings.

I painted these housings instead of sending them out to be plated. I hope that doesn't turn out to be a mistake,
but I can replace them easily enough later, and after a while you need to slow down the flow of money somehow.

The reproduction rear bumper installation was a hair pulling experience, that's for sure. The Taiwanese apparently have
a different meaning of proper fit than most do, and after a lot of trial fitting and shimming we got it about as close to good
as we could. We must have used up about a mile of masking tape to protect the finish. At some point I will probably either
pay the big bucks for a NOS bumper or have a good original rechromed. The fitment of this bumper in an embarrassment.

We installed the reproduction louvers {or slats as some call them} that we got from NPD, and they fit well.

I wasn't happy with the first rear spoiler I bought on ebay. It was too fat and heavy so back on ebay it went.
NPD had just come out with their own reproduction rear spoiler {or wing, as some call them} and I bought one of
theirs and I was very impressed. Much thinner and lighter, it looks just like the real deal. Better hardware, too!

Sweet!

Starting to take shape now.