Power is nothing without control. We improved the performance of our engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes, so the steering got our attention as well. Had we not wanted to retain the factory look of the car, we likely would have replaced the original steering system with a rack-and-pinion conversion. While somewhat expensive, the improvement in […]

If maximum authenticity is the desired goal, the solution is to simply reuse the parts that were on the car or replace them. Direct-replacement components or kits that are readily available for most first-generation Mustang models. In our case, we wanted to do a bit better because we had upgraded the engine to achieve higher […]

Installing new seat covers is a lot harder than you might think, especially if you want to do it right. There are many little procedures required to get the new covers to fit properly and look right. A professional often produces a better result, but I show some of the main aspects to consider if […]

Inner door panels are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. There are, of course, differences in quality among manufacturers, but the better known brands tend to be roughly equivalent and very close to the OEM parts in appearance. If your car’s original door panels are in good condition with minimal to no damage, you should […]

The panels that comprise the interior of most first-generation Mustangs can almost always be repaired or refurbished to at least an acceptable level. While there may be issues, such as pitted chrome, that can’t be completely eliminated in all cases, enough can often be done to make the result pleasing to all but perhaps the […]

Putting in a new carpet involves more than just taking out the old one and installing new pieces in its place. Either way, you need to remove the seats, console, and other items. However, if you want the end result to look good, what you put back in and how you do it involves much […]

Interior inspection is pretty simple so check Mustang Restoration Guide or Tips. You’ll generally know if you need to replace or repair something just by looking at it. The real question becomes: What is the best method to resolve each issue? Torn seat covers or a torn headliner must be replaced; ditto for the carpet […]

There are far too many variations among the different models of early Mustangs to cover each one in detail, but I can provide some insight into problems that seem to have plagued multiple versions. There can be some significant hardware changes in a relatively short period of time, and I show how these affect the […]

The passage of time affects any vehicle. How much (as well as how) the car was used and maintained plus the environment it was used in are the primary factors in how much wear and tear any vehicle has. While we can’t undo what was done, we can certainly compensate for it as the need […]

The basic leaf-spring-style rear suspension used on early Mustangs is simple, yet it has provided good performance and reliability for many years. There are, however, a few subtle changes that can be implemented to make it even better. I do not get into the full-blown restomod or racing upgrades where the leaf springs are removed […]