Restoring any classic car demands time, dedication, and a deep passion for automotive craftsmanship. The AVID Automotive Team recently undertook the exciting project of bringing a 1967 Ford Mustang back to life in its iconic Highland Green. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the step-by-step restoration process, from the initial sandblasting to the final polishing.
Sandblasting and Epoxy Priming:
The first step in any car restoration is to strip the vehicle down to a bare shell. In this case, the owner had stripped out the mechanical components himself. The AVID Automotive Team then removed old paint, rust, and any damaged metal using a process called sandblasting. This is where fine sand is blasted at the shell with high velocity, removing all substrates but without damaging the metal below. After exposing and cleaning the metal, we applied an epoxy primer to protect it from further corrosion. This step is crucial to ensuring the longevity of the restoration.
Welding of Floor-pans, Rear Arches, Quarter Panels, and Patches:
This 1967 Ford Mustang had seen its fair share of road time and previous repairs, so the floor-pans, inner rear arches, quarter panels, and many patches required attention. Using high-quality welding techniques, we carefully replaced or repaired these areas, preserving the car’s structural integrity while maintaining its authenticity. Each section was cut out, re-shaped and welded seamlessly back in place.
Filling and Multiple Coats of Primer:
Once the structural repairs were complete, we moved on to the meticulous process of bodywork. Any damage such as dents and dings are planished to minimise the amount of filler required. We filled remaining gaps with body filler and sanded them down to create a smooth, flawless surface. After ensuring that the body was perfectly even and ready for paint, we applied multiple coats of high-quality primer to create a strong base for the Highland Green finish. Each coat of primer is progressively sanded with a block to achieve a show quality level of straightness.
Blocking and Final Prep:
Blocking is an essential step that involves sanding the primer to create a dead straight surface. It’s a labor-intensive process that pays off in the final result. We worked diligently to ensure that every contour of the Mustang was perfectly shaped, panel gaps were accurate and components fitted accurately. Of the 600 hours spend on this shell, at this point, we’re around 500 hours into the project. This gives an idea of just how important the preparation is before even considering laying down the paint.
Original Highland Green:
Highland Green is a legendary colour, famously associated with the classic Ford Mustang in the movie “Bullitt.” We carefully mixed and applied this paint to the Mustang: first to the shell, then to the individual panels and smaller components. Having applied the green basecoat, the shell received two coats of lacquer to seal and protect the colour. The transformation was remarkable and the car began to resemble the timeless classic it once was.
Flatting and Polishing the Clearcoat:
Once the 2k clearcoat had fully cured after several weeks, we meticulously wet-sanded the surface to remove any imperfections which may have surfaced during the spraying process. This multistep process takes considerable time and skill to ensure the clearcoat is not sanded through. We then polished to a high gloss for maximum light reflection.
1967 Ford Mustang
Restoring a 1967 Ford Mustang to its former glory is a laborious yet deeply rewarding endeavour. Every step of the process requires patience, persistence and dedication. The end result is a masterpiece that celebrates the timeless beauty of the Ford Mustang and it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of classic cars and the dedication of enthusiasts to keep them on the road for generations to come.
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