Clifton, VA Car Show 2014

I don't usually take my car to car shows because it's not really in show car condition, but I do try and make it to at least one local show a year. It's a fun mom and son activity my 11-year-old and I do together. He's very proud of "his" car and loves showing it off, and checking out all the other classic cars.

This year we went to a show we've wanted to go to for a while in historic Clifton, VA, and I was shocked when we drove up and saw another Mustang II! The first one I have ever seen at a show in this area (Northern VA). Even more crazy it was a 1977 coupe just like mine, only his was a modified car.

We parked beside each other (I'm so mad at myself for forgetting to take pictures!) and it was so funny to watch how spectators would do a double take because not only was there a Mustang II at the show (a rarity) but there were two of them!

It was crazy hot that day, so we spent a lot of time in the shade watching people go by. Our Mustang II always generates a lot of comments, mostly positive, and some friendly debate among spectators. Overall it was an awesome show and we'd love to go again next year!

Parts scavenger hunt

Finally some suppliers are starting to produce reproduction parts for Mustang IIs, such as Classic Auto Reproductions, and hopefully more will follow, but for the most part restoring a Mustang II requires a lot of scavenging for used or new-old stock parts, which can be very expensive.

Many parts on my car are obsolete and hard or impossible to find if they break or are lost. Unfortunately two parts were lost a couple of years ago when I had some work done to the car by a reputable shop.

The shop lost the wing nut for the air cleaner and the seat adjustment knob on the driver's seat (which was loose and probably just fell out somewhere). I probably sounded like a wing nut myself when I called the shop asking if they had accidentally set the parts aside somewhere.


Luckily I was able to get used replacements for both the wing nut and knob thanks to Mustang II folks, and I replaced the knob recently. It's a small project; it took half a second to pop it on, but any project is an accomplishment, and now I have stock knobs for both seats.

It worries me that one day I won't be able to find a replacement for a part that breaks or is lost. I wish I could order parts for my car out of a catalog. Maybe I will be able to someday. I'm excited whenever I hear of more parts manufacturers producing Mustang II items.

In the meantime, I'm taking the wing nut off the air cleaner whenever I send the car out, just to keep it from getting lost again.  

Finally, back on the road!

In late January I sent the car out for engine & brake work. A friend recommended a shop in Springfield, VA, with classic car experience. Since my car wasn't running, and the shop was about 30 minutes away, I had her towed.

My husband laughs at me because I get so nervous whenever I have to leave my baby at a shop (or have it towed). I am a wreck the whole time! Am I the only one irrationally attached to my car this way?

The good news is that I got my II back from the shop a little over a week later and she runs (& brakes) awesome! Yay! We are officially back on the road!! And just in time for spring!

Last weekend we had friends over and I took them for a cruise around town. It was so much fun!

Now that she's running again, I have a list of projects I want to complete this summer, including replacing one of the seat adjustment knobs; restoring/replacing the air intake hose, which droops; replacing the in-dash speaker (this one's been on the list forever), and some other minor repairs.

But mostly I'm just looking forward to more driving!



 

Mustang II accessories, memorabilia and other stuff

It's 20 degrees in Northern Virginia and my car is tucked away in the garage awaiting engine work, so I thought I would share some of the neat Mustang II things I've collected over the years.

These Ford Mustang II catalogs from 1977 are awesome. It's fun to check out all the options that you could order at the time. Shag carpet and plaid seats! Groovy!

I bought this map of Virginia from 1977 to keep in the glove compartment. It adds to the time capsule feel. I also keep a 1977 penny in the center console (for luck!).

I keep an owners manual in the glove box too. One came with the car, but I also found this awesome dealer envelope and warranty pamphlet on Ebay that would have been given to the new car owner to complete the package.

I was lucky enough to score a complete set of Ford shop manuals from 1977 and I've bought several Mustang II repair guides too. [sorry some are upside down in this pic]

More Ford catalogs and manuals from 1977. It's fun to take a look back at the other cars available at the time like the Granada, LTD, Pinto and Fairmont.

A Mustang II key fob I found!

This 8-track came with Ford cars equipped with 8-track players. Since I have an 8-track player I thought it would be a cool item to add to my collection. There was a different tape for each year, so I had to research the one that was available for 77 to get the right one.

It's still wrapped in plastic so I haven't played it, but it includes music from various artists including Perry Como, Chet Atkins and Henry Mancini. 

While parts hunting I'm always on the lookout for vintage and new Mustang II accessories. I've found patches and pins, old advertisements, and other fun stuff. It's almost like going back in time looking at some of it.