Topic: '78 Mach I

[WT8095]

This is my folks' '78 Mach I. It's untouched, except for a repaint in the early 80's, and of course the usual consumables such as belts, plugs, battery, tires. It's been parked for about 25 years, that's when it turned 100K and the motor started using excessive oil. Never driven in winter, so no rust which is unusual for a WI car.

I learned to drive in this car in the early 80's. Fun to drive, even with a little six in it.

[MattDoscher]

Nice Looking!  The interior looks good too.  What are your plans for it?

Matt

[WT8095]

Nice Looking!  The interior looks good too.  What are your plans for it?

Matt

It still belongs to my folks. I don't think my sister would be interested, so I have kind of assumed it will be mine someday. The engine really needs a rebuild, but other than that and some cleaning of the interior, I would leave it as is and drive it occasionally. The II's are entirely undeserving of the disrespect they get from the auto community at large, and even among Mustangers they don't seem to be well-liked. This car would make a nice "ambassador" to show people that the II's really were nice little cars that were actually a "reboot" of the original pony car concept. They were a lot closer to the '65s in size, appearance and stying than the '71-'73s were.

Dad and I used to talk about pulling the engine and dropping in a flathead V8 with three deuces, like he had in his '50 Ford back in the day. We thought it would be something different that no one else had ever done. But I won't actually do that if it becomes mine.

[MattDoscher]

I applaud your efforts to keep it original and not monkey with it.  Just preserve it and maintain it and show it.  You are right in that the II's were kind of a "reboot", they were the right car at that particular time and they don't get much respect as often as they should.  I believe they were also the best selling models behind the 5's and 6's.

Matt

[WT8095]

One day Dad and I were out for a drive in it. It was a nice day and we were cruising along at highway speed, when all of a sudden the engine just started ROARING. It was like the entire exhaust system fell off or something! We pulled onto the side of the road and looked underneath, and everything looked OK. Popped the hood, looked around, didn't see anything obvious. Then we noticed one of the plug wires hanging down along the side of the engine. With the plug still stuck in the boot!

After it cooled off a bit we snugged it in by hand (didn't have any wrenches with) and headed home with no further problems! 

[79mustangcobra]

Nice story and nice Mach1!  Would love to see it at a MCA event!