We start with the fantastic news that the French Convertible is finished on time within the very tight time scale we had. We were pushed really hard to get the car ready on time, so it’s a big thanks to Yogi, Paul and Adam who went all out, with long days and extra days work to get her ready and not let our customer down. We are pleased with the results, the short space of time didn’t mean we had to compromise on a standard that only Mustang Maniac will give you for your pride and joy. The customer was very pleased with his partially restored and modified lady, or RestoMod as it seems to be called now days.

Final checks and completed engine bay.

The car was waiting at the front of the offices ready for the owner to collect her. We think the smile here says it all.

Adam has a quick chat with the owner to make sure he is happy and has another quick final check at the same time.

After a busy few weeks she is on her way back to France, we wish her and the proud owner all the best.

A wave goodbye from another happy customer.

We turn the clock back and forwards with this pretty cool article we found.

Special 1965 and 2015 Ford Mustang Combined for Unique Museum Display.

Celebrating 50 years of Innovation.

In Alexandria, Virginia, the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHF) will reveal a unique Ford Mustang. The specially built Ford combines a 1965 convertible to a 2015 convertible in a unique side-by-side display that features operating interiors. At the May 4 unveiling ceremony, Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford will also be highlighted at the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

According to Ford, the split-personality Mustang is part of a new, permanent Intellectual Property Power™ Exhibit at the National Inventors Hall of Fame museum on the United States Patent and Trademark Office Campus in Alexandria, Virginia. The paired convertibles will celebrate the history of Ford Mustang, along with the innovation and technology that has continued for over 50 years. “The intellectual property and illuminates its significance to progress, innovation, and culture in America, as well as how trademarks, patents, and other forms of intellectual property make modern amenities possible,” says Chris Danowski, Ford director of technology commercialization and intellectual property licensing. “The interactive display is designed to highlight the importance of patents and the tremendous march of technology over the decades. It calls out various patents in the current vehicle, as well as those in the original pony car.”

Along with the Mustang, Ford has a rich history in America and has been a leader and innovator in regards to manufacturing, safety and performance. “Ford and its employee volunteers have also been involved for the past 20 years with Camp Invention, a program of NIHF,” added Danowski. “Camp Invention is one of the nation’s premier summer enrichment programs and leverages hands-on activities to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and builds 21st century skills.

“Everything moved so fast in the design and run-up to production of the original Mustang that there were no styling patents issued back then,” Danowski stated. “Now look at the current car; 2015 Mustang Convertible alone was granted 36 styling patents, which ensure the unique look stays with the car. It also has many unique functional patents for things like the airbag structures, 911 Assist and so many other technologies baked right in.” Amazingly, no styling patents existed when the first model was introduced. But by 1965, Mustang over 100 of Ford’s functional patents existed. “Those patents reflect some of the touches customers loved back then, including a rear-seat speaker and a power convertible top. Normal conveniences we now take for granted were also involved, like Patent 3,271,540 – the origin of Ford’s self-canceling turn signal,” says Danowski.

Enthusiasts are the real beneficiaries of the popular design, performance and engineering that’s built into every Ford Mustang. Mustang was actually the very first passenger to have knee airbag system packaged inside the glove box door, with 15 patents granted. Mustang owners also enjoy features such as the electronic line-lock and launch control for drag racing. And here’s something you may not know, Mustang incorporates a patented relief in the seat cushion to allow a wallet or phone in an occupant’s back pocket to protrude further into the seat for more comfort.

The display features 60 percent of each car’s driver compartment in order to showcase the gauge package, center stack and center console. “The left side consists of a reproduction 1965 left-hand-drive Mustang licensed for modern production by Ford and built to the same specifications as the original car—in itself an example of the licensing benefits of intellectual property. The other side is a right-hand-drive 2015 Mustang that is sold in several of the 150 countries where the car is now available,” explained Danowski.

Ford stated that museum visitors are encouraged to sit in either side of the car in order to compare features and styling details. It will be easy to see all the innovation, but the museum added accompanying monitors and over speakers to provide additional information. Visitors to the display will also be able to hear the sounds of the original 1965 Mustang V8 engine and a 2015 Mustang V8 engine at idle.

 Photos By: Ford Motor Company Article: Ford 360

Ford Facts

1) Even though Henry Ford won one of the first US car races, it is reported by those who spent time with him that he wasn’t actually very good a driving – frequently bumping into ‘objects’ and ‘people’.
2) Henry Ford hated confrontation and always got one of his executives to fire people…often in very direct ways like removing the victims desk and belongings overnight!
3) When car sales dipped, any sales manager who gave ‘the product’ as the reason, even if it was true, was in big trouble….. Henry Ford always got rid of them.
4) During the 20’s/30’s/40’s Henry Ford and his personal aide Harry Bennett had a safe located in the Rouge experimental labs containing cash. The safe was referred to as ‘the kitty’. The “Kitty” was used by Henry Ford for anything he wanted to do without the hassle of getting Finance or Board approval. Even all those years ago, it mostly contained $4-6 million in cash. The day after Henry’s death, the safe was emptied by the Ford family.
5) During the 30’s rather than Ford having one sales manager looking after car sales, a system of Zone Managers (ZM) was introduced where each ZM was responsible for sales in a distinct area. It proved so successful that the system survives to this day across Ford’s global operation. Anyone wishing to progress to management within Ford must undertake a Zone Manager job at some point early in their career.

Shelby 1:8th Scale Model

The latest issues are parts 10 -13 inclusive. We see a left hand door and left front seat now completed, the right hand door started gets started.

Part 10 & 11 

These issues complete the left hand side door, there are some tricky tiny parts to this section. The hinge is added as well as the glass, we decided to fit the hinge first then the glass to make it easier to handle the door.

completed

There is a request to use the screw described as MP06, the pack supplied was MD06. The screws still fitted, but we wish they move away from the description of screws and use the codes on the bags just like they did as the start of the build, it makes life a lot simpler.

Part 12

This issue has the seat base and is a very simple fit of four screws.

Part 13

This is exactly the same as Part 9 only this time its the right hand door.

Click here for the link to the page where we cover the build in a little more detail, or go to the menu at the top of our blog.