Treasure Valley Mustang and Ford Club

Member Car of the Month - March 2005

Having gone through high school with friends and schoolmates with 60's muscle cars, Larry always longed for a true muscle car. Something his 1972 Vega Kammback just didn't stack up to. One of his best friends had a couple 1965 K-code GT fastbacks and after riding in those wild rides the bond to Ford Mustangs was forged. During the college years in the early 80's, Larry had access to a plethora of Mustang Monthly magazines. (thank's to the same friend who own the GT cars) Obsession didn't describe how Larry poured over these Mags. Without a Mustang of his own, he lived vicariously through the magazines, Treasure Valley Mustang Club meetings, car shows and the many friends he had met along the way.

In the spring of 1986, Larry started working at Micron to continue to pay for school. With that fulltime income of $4.46 an hour, he now had the means to possibly buy a Mustang. Within just a short time, Larry looked at a lot of early Mustangs, many either too expensive or too rough to buy. (it's funny how back then too rough constituted a professionally replace quarter panel). Reluctantly Larry had to realize the fact the 1965 and 1966 cars were still out of reach along with his next choice which were 1969-1970 sportsroof cars. Then one Sunday, An unassuming add was posted in the Idaho Statesman. "1967 Ford Mustang gold paint $3500" Larry called on it and they told him it had gold paint and a gold interior. The only thing that got Larry to actually drive all the way to Weiser and look at it was that they said it had the fog lights, a four speed, and Disc brakes. (Back then 67's and 8's were not really sought after. Hard to believe these days) Upon looking at it Larry was happy with the find. The car was as-you-see-here, (minus wheels/tires). An original 2V, GT, numbers matching car in Burnt Amber paint, and saddle interior. The car was bought with the help of his parents co-signing for the loan.

For the next 4 years, it was a daily driver to school, work, club meetings, and the Bob Rice car shows in '87,'88,'89. After that, Larry was able to buy a driver and park the Stang until it could be restored. Fast forward to 2002. Over a decade later, after the whole young adult thing; carousing, dating, getting married, and settling down. The wife asked Larry if he was ever gonna do anything with that car that she had only ridden in once in their entire time together over the last 13 years. (One date to "Back the Future II" at the 8th Street Market Place). They discussed what it would take to accomplish the restoration. Julie graciously agreed to the undertaking. The pictures you see here are the before pictures of the car in its original paint from the San Jose Plant. At the current time, the car is still on jackstands with the back half gutted. A new gas tank, stainless gas lines, and break lines are waiting for install once the underside of the car gets a new coat of the correct red oxide primer. Much of the new drivetrain and suspension is bought and just needs assembled and installed. The 8 inch rear end has been updated with a new SVO traction loc and 3.55 gears. The original engine will be pulled and detailed, but a warmed over 302 will be installed for some added fun. The original top loader will be rebuilt too. The last big ticket items to buy are the interior kit, the exterior paint, and the chrome. Hopefully it will be together enough by August to make it to Hot August Nights and then to the TVMFC show in September. Keep your fingers crossed!

Comments or questions? E-mail us at webmaster2008@treasurevalleymustang.com