Ever wondered what it takes to restore a vintage car? Luckily for you our friend Matt - from @mattsgarageco, let us in on his process of restoring an incredible 1967 Ford Mustang. While it's something only we could dream of, we're happy to live vicariously through his story...
Matt purchased the Mustang November 2020 and imported it from Cordova District, California, to his workspace in the UK.
Let's go. back a little further than that...The Mustang in question began life in the San Jose build plant and was shipped to it's first owner - a Mr H W Grimes in Lufkin, Texas, in 1967 - Purchased from the primary dealer, Billingsley Ford in Tipton, Indiana.
It's believed the Mustang started life in good hands with Mr Grimes. From there it went to Cordova District and was used as a daily run around by it's owner, as evidenced by the stack of chiropractor appointments cards found in the car that Matt still has in his possession today!
One day, for an unknown reason, the car stopped being used. It sat, baking in the Cordovan sun...
When Matt discovered it was for sale decades later, it was shipped over with a mottled roof, one front seat (the other stashed in the trunk) and was in need of some serious love.
Now, if you need to work on a vintage car that's been abandoned for decades, you're gonna need some decent space to do so. Matt made the casual decision to purchase two forty-foot containers during COVID, cut them in half and weld them together...as you do...Fully insulated, ready to rock, this was Matt's Mustang restoration cave.
Matt began the strip down using most original parts, upgrading components for drive quality and re-upholstered the inside back to its original spec, while putting his stamp on it also.
The Mustang was given a bare metal respray, complete engine overhaul, and was converted to a 4 barrel carburetor. Once this was complete, it was given a new exhaust system and Flowmaster mufflers (obviously).
Modern style LED Halo lights, built to look as stock, so Matt could actually see at night, had to be done. The 60s were a wild time... LED stock looking rear tail lights and all original parts were retained - All it needed were LED circuit boards inside old components.
Next up - tyres, rims and arches. Giving the Mustang the perfect stance was important. Rolled arches were a must, complete with new Magnum 500 wheels and tyres. You know it makes sense.
All original glass was retained and given a clean up, and finally to finish the interior the front drivers floor pan was replaced due to rust and some minor holes, but it's gotta look perfect, right?
Matt truly did this beautiful car justice, it's a testament to how well it was built in the 60s, as well as to Matt's passion for restoring something to it's former glory without eclipsing what it used to be. Used as a daily, Matt has taken the Mustang on trips across the UK (including Goodwood and Prescott's Hill Climb!) as well as parts of Europe - and as you can tell, we're big fans of this rebuild. His future plans for the car, unsurprisingly, are to never sell it and continue to upgrade it as needed.
Thanks to Matt for the exclusive access and behind the scenes look at his incredible 1967 Mustang restore and build. Keep scrolling for the finished article that is nothing short of b-e-a-utiful.
