The project's name is a reference to part of the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational course, the twists and turns involved in a car restoration project and getting back to driving the Mustang.
Junior/Senior year in high school, I wanted to buy my first car, a 60's Mustang was high on the list. In April 1987, Sandra saw an ad for a 1967 Mustang for sale in Ontario, CA. We drove down to take a look and liked what we saw. On May 6, 1987, with cash in hand, I purchased the 1967 Mustang Coupe for $2,850.00 from the original owner. It had an odometer reading of 95,056 miles. The car was driven senior year in high school, through college and for about two years after that. In October 1993, after purchasing a new car, the Mustang was garaged in Southern California, with an odometer reading of 153,453 miles.
After talking with Jennifer, Jason, and Sandra, I decided it was time to get the Mustang running again. Let the jokes commence; it is a long story, but that is what happens with 35+ years of history between us.
Three things needed to happen to get this project started; Get permission from Jennifer (wife), a space to work, and the Mustang in Northern California. Jennifer agreed to let me start down this road, woo-hoo! The garage was cleaned up and reorganized to allow for a workspace and some storage. On September 9, 2019, Keith (father), Justin (brother), and I loaded the car onto a U-Haul car trailer. At 4 a.m., Justin and I started the drive up I-5 to Northern California.
Mid-day, September 10, 2019, the restoration started...
Restoration Project Planning
Planning and Organizing - Switchback Project is an adaptation of the They Might Be Racing Frame-Off Project Planning Guide. There are several books, web posts, and YouTube videos related to restoring a classic Mustang, but generally, they described a piece of the project, not a grand overview. This is my first restoration project, They Might Be Racing provides a complete framework, for the whole project.
1967 Ford Mustang Coupe 289 V8
Photo Gallery
1967 Ford Mustang Project Car
1967 Ford Mustang Exterior
1967 Ford Mustang Engine
Vehicle Identification Number
| Body Type | 01 - 2-Door Hardtop |
| Engine | C - 289 CID V-8 2V |
| Production Number | 168,631 |
Vehicle Certification Tag
| Body Code | 65A - 2-Door Hardtop Bucket Seats |
| Exterior Color | Z - Sauterne Gold |
| Interior Color | 2G - Medium and Light Ivy Gold Crinkle Vinyl (Medium Ivy Gold) |
| Date Code | 14A - January 14, 1967 |
| DSO Code | 71 - Los Angeles |
| Axel | 0 - 2.79:1 Standard-Open |
| Transmission Code | W - Automatic C-4 |
Engine Identification
| Engine C.I.D | 289 |
| Engine Plant Code | E - Windsor |
| Model Year | 67 |
| Year of Engine Production | A - |
| Month of Engine Production | E - May |
| Engine Code No | 236-B |
| Change Level | 15 - Canadian Built |
Engine Specifications
| CID | 289 |
| HP @ rpm | 200 @ 4400 |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00" x 2.87" |
| Carb | 2V |
| C.R. | 9.3:1 |
| Family | Small block |
