Analysis on Current Condition of Project Vehicle

Once we got the Falcon home we were able to look the car over really well to assess all the things that needed repaired. We already knew that the interior would have to be replaced. This would include the overhead upholstery, door panels, and rear deck. We also new that the seats that had been placed into the vehicle was way to large (especially for my over grown son). The rear seat was too long and sat crooked in the rear. The bucket seats (although flush and electric) sat way too high and wouldn't accommodate a console. We had also decided that we would cut the dash to accommodate a new slide in dash radio/cd player. This is an important decision because if you plan to resell the vehicle the value will be down if the dash has been altered. It would be best to mount a radio/cd player under the dash instead. The original steering column was made for a straight shift (3-speed). The car had been outfitted with a 3-speed manual on the floor. We decided to change all of this to a 3-speed automatic on the floor. This means we will have to make the collar on the steering column smooth so that no one will be able to that it was ever a manual shifter collar. I found help on how to do this, along with much help on other issues at my friendly Ford Falcon Forum called tffn (The Ford Falcon News). http://tffn.net/
We also plan to move the new Mustang bucket seats back to allow more leg room and are still comptemplating wether or not to add a tilt steering column as well. I found out that a 67-69 Lincoln can provide a very close fit. We have also decided to manufacture our own center console for convienience reasons. We will add cup holders as the older models didn't allow for such amenities. We were able to get the original front bench and rear bench seat along with the car when we bought it so we will simply re-upholster the rear seat and add buckets from a Mustang. We have a friend helping us with the paint and body work. His name is Harry and he also happens to have an upholstery sewing machine. We will make our own red and white seat covers to cover all the seats and I also found a place in Huntsville Alabama that can embrodery a siloiet of Paul "Bear" Bryant on the seat covers as well. This will add that special personalized touch we are looking for and tie the inside to the Alabama Crimson Tide theme that we are going for on the outside.

There are more details that we have considered for the interior such as instrument gauges, wiring, and electric door locks. I will be posting about this next time. Hope everyone has an awesome week and especially a safe and joyful Holiday Weekend remembering the birth of our awesome nation. Please remember our current soldiers and their families during this time of celebration.

Hollis