1970 Mustang Fastback- Part II

3 10 2009

In Part I, we showed you what the Mustang looked like when she rolled into the shop. Now you get see what she looked like when her one-and-only owner picked her up after just three weeks of work.

For this project, the owner brought the seat covers, seat foam, and door panels for us to install. The rest of the interior we either ordered or updated for the client.

Once we removed the seats, flooring, etc., it was time to start putting it back together and restoring her original beauty. The first step was to install a new headliner that was part of the kit. The photo below shows the beginning of the install.

d-mustang 70 fastback-install-headliner

Next, we put in the sail panels and the rear quarter panels t0 “complete” the headliner, shown below.

d-mustang 70 fastback-install-back-area

For the door panels, we needed to do some modification so that they fit perfectly. That’s pretty typical in any kit installation. A kit is no guarantee that you’re going to get a custom fit out of the box. Along with the new panels, we put in the water shield, weather stripping, and we polished the original chrome on the door handles. What a difference! No more duct tape, I promise.

f-mustang 70 fastback-doorpanel

On to the carpet and a few more details, then we can get the seats finished and back where they belong.

f-mustang 70 fastback-carpet

In addition to installing a new dashboard, we refurbished the central consul and rear quarter panel to look as good as the new dash. Everything needs to look great, and in the photos below taken half-way through the project, you can see that everything got the attention it deserved.

d-mustang 70 fastback-backseatpanel

Remember the pile of foam dust from the front seats? Gone. Before adding the new foam (also from a kit), we inspected, cleaned, and re-coated the frames with black enamel paint. Even though you don’t see the frames when the upholstery is finished, you can’t ignore them. I always make sure that the frames are in good shape. Once the foundation was ready, we installed the seat covers. So not only do the seats look good, but they feel good, too.

 

mustang 70 fastback , lazy boy chair 027



f-mustang 70 fastback-passenger

 

 f-mustang 70 fastback-front

 f-mustang 70 fastback-backseat

Of course, this is just a summary of work we did for this classic beauty. She also got a new horn pad, a new windshield, and all new weather stripping and polished chrome from nose to tailpipe.

1970 Mustang Fastback-shop

Now that the Mustang has been restored to her original beauty, the owner is constantly being asked if the car’s for sale. Sorry gang, this ‘Stang is staying in the family!

Here’s a quick reminder of what she looked like the day she rolled into the shop:

 

 

Before: doorpanel

Before: doorpanel

 

 

 

Before: driver seat

Before: driver seat

 

 

 

 

 






1970 Mustang Fastback–new interior part 1

6 09 2009

When this classic Mustang rolled into the shop, she looked pretty good considering her age. Then we looked inside. Oh boy. She needed some work. What’s cool about this car is that she’s only had one owner who has always lived right here in Redlands. The owner’s sons got together to restore the car for their mom. They decided to start with the interior, and then it’s off to get the exterior repainted.

So, this Mustang has become part of the family who now wants to give her the TLC she deserves.

Take a look at these before pictures. I’m sure the interior was awesome in 1970, but 39 years later…Well, I think we can help.
 
b-70 mustang driverseat-doorpanel
 
And here’s what we found when removed the seats, carpeting, and doorpanel. The yellow “dust” is from the seat foam that has disintegrated over the years in the California heat.
b-1970 Mustang under seat and doorpanel

And here’s the back seat.

b-1970 Mustang back seat

In part 2, I give you a rundown of everything we did, plus photos, of course.

Stay tuned!





Fiat 850

21 04 2009

I saw this little Fiat in the parking lot at Trader Joe’s here in Redlands and I couldn’t believe it. In Europe, these little cars are pretty common, but in Southern California?

fiat_back2

 I started to chat with the owner; I thought maybe he was Italian or something. Nope. Just a good fellow who loved his little car. We chatted for a while and I learned that his other mode of transportation was a motorcycle. I also learned that his little Topolino (another name for the 850) needed some work.

So he pulled the car into the shop so I could redo the front seats. Getting that little Topolino into the shop was a piece of cake…much easier than some of the boats we finessed in the back door!

fiat_all1

Once the car was inside, I got to work. It’s important to know that NO cars are parked outside when they’re getting work done. They stay inside or I just come and get the seats and bring them to the shop. If it’s a headliner or door panel, I can take measurements, do the work, and then install. Leaving cars outside, unattended is not our policy.

Back to the Topolino. The seats were original to the car, meaning they had seen a lot of miles. The owner liked the black vinyl, but wanted to upgrade just a bit. So, we replaced the flat vinyl with carbon fiber black and I covered the headrest, too. It all has to match to look good. Below are the two front seats mid-way through the project so you can see the difference. Obviously, the new one is on the right!

Front Seats_fiat850 

This was a simple project, but just as much fun as some of the more complicated ones. It’s always nice to see the smile on the owner’s face when he comes back for his car. And it’s fun to see the little Topolino in the parking lot every once in a while and think, “Hey, I had that little car in my shop.”








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