| The Restoration begins... |
| 02-17-04 I saw this car about two years ago at a local used car dealer. Last week, a friend told me the car was still there, and down to $995.00. I decided to try to buy the car. Well, today, I took delivery of the car! |
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| The engine... 5.0 HO. This is the same engine Ford put in the Mustang. The LTD was nicknamed the "four door Mustang" by alot of the troopers. The engine was rebuilt by the dealer, so hopefully that won't need to be touched. However the underhood area needs alot of cleanup and detailing. I will tear down the outside of the engine as far as accessories, and paint and clean up everything. Then re-assemble the engine compartment. Another area of mechanical that needs to be done is some brake work, and it needs a new catalytic converter. |
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| The interior.. It needs alot of clean up.. but it is basically in good shape. This is about the same condition as my 1991 Crown Vic, when I got it... I noticed a couple of things missing or broken tonight, like the radio trim piece has been cut up for an aftermarket radio. but other than that... Everything is there. There is also about 100 feet of wire from someone trying to put a CD player in the trunk. First to be done will be to remove all of the wires all over the car from the CD. The drivers seat has a tear in it, from the officers gun butt.. and a cigarette burn. I was going to have the two inserts replaced, but I found some replacement seats for the car.. the right color, all they need is cleaned up.. And cheaper for both front seats, and the back seat, than trying to replace just the inserts in the seats I have now. |
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| The exterior.. The exterior is pretty good. I went all over the car tonight, and there is about 3 dents in the entire car. It will eventually need a paint job, for right now, i will try to clean the paint up. What amazes me is the bumper trim is still perfect, and not cracked! |
| Tommorrow.. The clean up begins!!! (Weather Permitting!!!) |
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| 02-23-04 Starting last week, I went to the junk yard in search of all the little things I need to put the car together.... Including: New dash pad New seats for front and back.. that match the present seats, and are in perfect condition Trim pieces for the outside of the car that are dented... AM/FM Radio and the faceplate around the radio (someone cut up the old one..) The original style steel rims Trunk weatherstripping And alot of other little items to restore the car back to original condition.... So now, as soon as the rain stops... I will finnally get to begin on the car! More pictures to follow!!!!!!! |
| 02-24-04.. Still raining... Started dying the new dash pad blue... Only problem is, it keeps soaking up the dye! Three coats were needed before it started to finnally stop soaking in. I will be cleaning up all of the inside parts until it stops raining! |
| 02-29-04... Got the dash pad done and reinstalled temporarly.. I have to find some replacement speakers for the AM/FM stereo. Here's some new photos.... |
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| After it's first wash--- there is actually some shine to the paint.... The rims were another story.. they are pretty rough.. but eventually, it will get the original steel rims with spinners.... |
| Starting to pull the wiring out that was left from old stereo. There was even extra wiring installed up to the speakers on the dash, which were not the original speakers, so that will be changed. They ran new wires instead of using the factory wires. I will be using the original wires, after resplicing the harness plug back on. I also have an original AM/FM cassette radio to go back in the car, along with a new faceplate, and ashtray, which was broken when someone attempted to remove it, and broke it... All of the center dash area will be reinstalled tommorow.. weather permitting!!! (And no, that's not my Dannielle Steele Book, I found it under the seat!) |
| Here you can see some of the "shine" in the paint I was talking about! I replaced the "Ford" emblem today on the grille... I have to replace the two blown headlights next, and repaint the headlight "surround". Hopefully I will get the spotlight and pushbumpers on this week... Also have to remove, and repaint the liscense plate holder... |
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| After replacing the headlights, and painting the headlight bezels.... |
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| The dash totally apart.. installing the new AM/FM radio, and the digital clock I got at the junkyard. Also cleaning all of the area behind the trim panels.... It was at this point that I decided the dash was too faded, and needed to be re-dyed... |
| The dash all back together... With the new dash pad, radio, ashtray, and digital clock! I still have to re-dye the bottom panel of the dash, as it is really faded.... (From just under the black part of the dash, to the bottom.) |
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| Closeup of radio and clock |
| Go to page two, restoration..... |
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| Home |
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| Restoration page 2 |
| Restoration page 3 |
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| Restoration page 4 |
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| Restoration page 5 |
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| Restoration page 6 |
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| Restoration page 7 |
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| Restoration page 8 |
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| Restoration page 9 |
| New rims, interior tear out |
| interior tear out continued pushbumpers, seats |
| Spotlight install, exhaust system set up |
| Paint and Body shop |
| Back from Paint! |
| Seats, Floor rust, Dash prep. |
| Horn Button resto, dash re-dye, gauge install |
| Dash re-dye continued.... |
| Restoration Page 10 |
| Restoration Page 11 |
| Restoration Page 12 |
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| Headliner / cage mounts |
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| Re-install interior / rear deck lights! |
| Interior install continued.... |
| Bucket Seat modifications... |
| Seats... Re- construction |
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| Restoration Page 13 |
| Restoration Page 14 |
| New Exhaust! |
| Cage is in! |
| Restoration Page 15 |
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| New windshield! |
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| Restoration Page 16 |
| New Tires! |
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| Shotgun rack fabrication! |
| Restoration Page 17 |
| Restoration Page 18 |
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| Equipment wiring |
| Restoration Page 19 |
| Radio and equipment |