Original LouversI have a '70 Mach 1 Mustang with the rear-window louvers. A Mustang Club of America gold judge told me you could tell if the louvers were factory installed by the type of fasteners in the roof. He said factory-installed louvers have steel inserts, while the dealer-installed (or purchased from a Ford parts department) louvers have rubber inserts. Is there any documentation for this? John McCainSeattle, WA
The hardware for the installation of Ford service rear-window louvers used a rubber-type insert for the four roof locations and four inserts in the panel below their window for the latches. On factory installations, I've observed that the roof inserts are steel, while the inserts in the panel below the rear window are rubber, which is the same as the service part kit. I would not be concerned if you have a variation to my observations.
I would get a production report from Marti Autoworks (12007 W. Peoria Ave., El Mirage, AZ 85335; 623/935-2558; www.martiauto.com) if you question the originality of your car's rear-window louvers. I've also heard of misalignment of the roof inserts, which led to the installation of a sheetmetal screw in the roof next to an insert. Assembly line installation of accessories was not always consistent.
Color ChoicesI'm in the process of restoring a '69 S-code (390) Mach 1. The car was originally Medium Lime Gold, but is currently Royal Maroon. I'm thinking about painting it Calypso Coral. Royal Maroon is OK and Medium Lime Gold is less than marginal, but I can see myself driving the Calypso Coral. I'm also thinking about burying the flat-black hood in clearcoat. Am I doing a bad thing?Mark RicardVia the Internet
It's your Mach 1, so you should restore it however you think you'll enjoy it the most. Be sure to define your goals for the car. Do you want a nice driver, a driven concours car, or a trailered show car? If you're caught between driver and concours, I would at least choose an original '69 color. Paint and body are the most important (and expensive) aspects of a restoration. You do not want to have to repaint the car later.
You might be interested to know that Medium Lime Gold is gaining popularity again-just look at the '05 Legend Lime Mustangs on the road.
Wheel Cover ArgentI have a '70 Mach 1 with the deep wheel covers. It was built in January 1970 at the Dearborn plant. The wheel cover inserts need to be repainted. Do you have a paint code or paint suggestion for these?Larry SchwartzVia the Internet
I use either Ditzler DDL or DAR 33053 Medium Gray Poly for 1970 argent.
Hood Moldings ExplainedI have a '65 Mustang with the 200ci six-cylinder engine and no special trim package. I'm the fourth owner and have completely restored it. When I purchased the car, it had a hood leading-edge trim piece. I have been told by two non-Mustang Club of America judges that this piece was installed only on '65 Mustangs with the GT Equipment Group, but became standard on '66 Mustangs. Another judge told me that Ford started pre-drilling the hood for this piece sometime during the build year, and he explained that if my hood is drilled, it is OK to install the trim piece. What's correct? My car is concours-driven and I do drive the car, but I want it to be correct. I'm entering an MCA event this year and want to get as many points as possible.J.T. McGuireVia the Internet
The C5ZZ-16856-A hood lip molding was first introduced on the '65 Mustang GT. It was also available as a dealer-installed accessory for all Mustangs built after the introduction of the GT Equipment Group option. The actual date for the GT introduction is rather arbitrary, but the Mustang Club of America liberally accepts January 15, 1965. In all MCA classes except Thoroughbred, the hood molding on a '64 1/4 or early '65 Mustang probably would not be accepted.