From Disgustang to Mustang without breaking the bank…
Once the engine compartment and undercarriage were completely stripped, the fun began. Scrubbing, wire brushing, pressure washing, and basically trying to get down to a clean, paint-able surface was the goal. Scrubbing the engine compartment is a long and labor-intensive process. I used a wire brush mounted to the drill, steel wool, a borrowed pressure … Read moreScrubbing the Engine Compartment
It’s been over a year and a half since I last posted, and part of the reason for that was that I had a lot going on in my professional life. Between my last post and now, the movie I’d been working on came out (and was, by all objective metrics, a success), we shot … Read moreDisgustang Project: Back to Blogging
Compared to the trouble I’ve had with the Mustang front suspension, removing the rear suspension was a walk in the park. I undertook the Mustang rear suspension removal a few weeks ago, but I just realized I never blogged about it. It was a pretty simple and straight-forward removal. I removed the rear brakes, pulled … Read moreA Walk in the Park: Rear Suspension
The 1966 Mustang suspension was relatively simple but surprisingly well-designed for its day, though it wasn’t without its problems. When Carol Shelby set out to modify the Mustang to create the now infamous GT350, he only made a few (though very effective) modifications to the Mustang suspension. The use of the export brace, adjustable shocks, … Read moreSlow and Steady: Mustang Suspension
For the first time in months, I’ve made some real progress on the Disgustang. Sure, I probably shouldn’t have spent so much time messing with the Packard, but because it runs (and continues to have issues), I’ve wanted to get it sorted out before turning back to the Mustang. I’m planning a trip along Route … Read moreProgress! Real Progress…
There’s always something to get in the way of an expedient restoration. That’s, of course, why you can’t be in a rush to complete anything because complications will invariably arise. Be it lack of funds, lack of time, or lack of energy, life gets in the way. Restoration roadblocks abound. Apart from the funds issue … Read moreRestoration Roadblocks: Life Gets in the Way
My apologies for the lack of recent posts. One minute you’re driving along, cruising through the canyons in your everyday car thinking of all the cool stuff you’re gonna go home and order for your Mustang, and the next, BANG! $2,500 down the drain. Maybe it wasn’t quite that dramatic, but two weeks ago, that’s … Read moreProject On-Hold Due To Lack of Funds
Having recently completed a cosmetic restoration of the engine compartment of my Packard less than a year ago, you’d think I would remember not to paint parts in cool weather, but did the fact that the temperature was 65˚F trigger a pause? Nope! On Thursday I had a free moment at the end of the … Read moreSpray Paint Hazing: Stymied by the Weather
Off and on, I’ve mentioned my other car, and since it’s the one crying for attention right now, I thought I’d take a moment to share a little about it. It’s a 1952 Packard Patrician 400 with just over 41,000 original miles on it (3,000 of which are in the last year alone). For an … Read moreThe Other Car: 1952 Packard Patrician 400
Rubbing compound, rarely used on today’s clear-coat finishes, was, at one time, a miracle cure for paint ailments. Minor scratches? Oxidation? Swirl marks? Rubbing compound to the rescue. I found myself with another 20 minutes last night, so after having just polished the stainless trim, I thought I’d play with rubbing compound a bit and … Read moreRubbing Compound to The Rescue