A busy week working flat-out but not a lot to show for it, sometimes we have weeks like that and we expect them at certain points of a restoration. But like all things, it’s all in the prep work that takes the time. This is where our work is instantly recognisable from some of the other restorers out there. We will start with the Herts clone as we have been busy on the underside so nothing is really seen from the outside.

Hertz Clone

We had cut the rear quarter vents out and glass fitted in their place which is getting ready for interior paint. We were then also asked to remove the power assisted steering and go back to the manual set up. Of course this means things like the centre link would need to be replaced along with Shelby quick steer pitman arm and idler. We also fitted a new alloy oil sump while we were at it.

As we have had to change the steering setup and componants we set up a default geo for the wheels and steering. Then comes a road test and few miles added then a further fine tune re-geo once things have bedded in and settle down.

The Onion

The Onion has taken a chunk of time up in the body shop where we are at critical point on the build, the rear quarters. The back of the car has been built up and a the panels are clamped in place with an odd tack weld to see the fit for the rest of the car. The doors will need to align with the rear quarters, which in turn are aligned to the cowl, the fenders then the hood. This is all on and off again a few times to get the gaps within our own tight tolerances. Many of which will be better than the original gaps when it left the factory in the first place. One of the few original parts we have to work from is the back of the trunk which will need to fit to the new metal. This gives us a good reference point to go with our initial measurements from the car before it was dismantled.

The interior metalwork is all painted with red lead oxide for rust proofing as we go along.

The ‘B’ pillars are the strength and also the start point as such for the panel positions.

In effect this car is being built from the ground up without the original Ford build jigs. Difficult? Oh yes, but the bear likes a challenge.

Heart warming story from the net

Two siblings from San Antonio, Texas are making headlines around the country after giving their father a very special and emotional present. Jake and Jeni Ryan gave their father, Wesley Ryan, the very same 1993 Ford Mustang he sold 17 years ago to cover the expenses of his wife’s cancer treatment. The white Ford Mustang played a big role in the family as Jake and Jeni rode in it when they were toddlers. When their mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the early 2000s, the Mustang was listed for sale and the profits helped cover some of the towering medical expenses. The Drive contacted Jake to find out how he was able to reunite his father with his former car, to which he answered: “I just so happen to search the good ‘ol internet and wandered onto Craigslist, and I came across the car. Emailed the previous owner, spoke for maybe 5-10 mins, and struck a deal. Flew to the owner’s place, which was about 1.5 hours away from me, and rolled her up on the trailer.”

A Facebook post that read: “I know how much it broke him in half seeing that car drive away from him. A day I’ll never forget. Well… She’s back home pops and here to stay this time. Looking forward to building this car with you this time instead of being in a booster seat looking out the window.”

Currently, Laura Ryan is cancer-free, and the Mustang is once again with its original owner. Back when Wesley Ryan first had the Fox Body he affectionately named it Christine after the Stephen King story about a demonically possessed car. Jake told The Drive that the car carries a 347 cubic-inch stroker engine that Wesley had installed in the ’90’s. While the Mustang isn’t currently running, Jake assures us that the bodywork and interior show little signs of wear. When asked what he wanted to do after getting it in running order, Jake replied: “Drive it till the wheels fall off, so I can rebuild it again.” A double great story from ‘The Drive’, the wife is in remission and the Mustang is back with the original owner. Just brilliant.

Stop Press;

Earlier today (a few hours ago in fact), Yogi was at an American Car show in Stonham Barns in Suffolk. Here he was seen with is menacing ’69 Mach1, we are now in possession of a very rare photo of the bear himself CLEANING his car. 😀

As ever the Yogi mobile got a lot of attention and one person even asked him if it was the “Mustang Maniac Demo Car?”  Yogi didn’t look to impressed to say the least, he just growled ‘no, it’s mine’. The conversation was over as quick as that. He enjoyed himself being out of his workshop cave today.

PS, ‘Yogi, you missed a bit’ 🤣🤣🤣