This is the first in a series of tech articles on a 1971 429 Cobra Jet Mustang. To get the whole story leading up to this project, read the Car Tail in the December 2000 newsletter.
Well, we begin again. We join this project in process because it actually started four years ago prior to the creation of the web site. The project has been pre-empted by other activities and commitments. That was then and this is now so let's get going............again.
| We pick up the work after the interior has been gutted and most of the rear sheet metal has been removed. In the picture below, the tail light panel is out and most of the trunk floor. All the suspension components have been removed as well as the drive line. | A portion of the left rear frame rail has been removed and clean up has begun on the remaining pieces. The right side rear rail and trunk brace are in excellent condition, only clean up needed for them. |
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| The picture to the right shows the replacement of the rail section and the removal of the remaining pieces of the trunk floor. The 71 fuel tank mounts under the trunk floor rather than actually being the trunk floor as it is in earlier years. The picture below and below right show the replacement trunk floor prepared and ready to be welded in. The forward fuel tank mounting bracket has been installed and measurements and trimming are complete and the piece installed in the car. |  |
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| Now that the trunk floor is installed, we can start work on the wheel houses. Unlike the 68 convertible, the entire outer wheel house will be removed to do the repair. |  |
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The left side inner wheel house has been cleaned up and prepared, the outer wheel house is measured against the new quarter panel and marked for installation. The pictures below and below left show the right side outer wheel house measured, fit, aligned and ready for welding. |
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Unfortunately, you don't get to see the car assembled prior to the start of the series. My apologies. That's it for this month, there's much more to come.
Joe Quaranto