The New, Newer Project: Part Tres...

[K code Mustang]

My dad was the one that did the prep and test drive on Steve's Hemi Charger. My dad, or my Grandfather were the only ones that did the preps on the hi performance cars at Suburban Dodge for just that reason. When I went to work there years later, I was the one that prepped the Shelby Chargers and Daytonas and turbo cars.

[njsteve]

I talked with original owner Rick again today. He confirmed that the oil filter in the photos is the oil filter he put on in the late 1970's or early 1980s. He only used factory parts to maintain the car. I sent him the link to the SD455 Registry and he was surprised that they built so many 73 Formulas with the SD455. He thought there were only a handful so the 43 total number came as somewhat of a surprise.

This evening I used a flashlight and an inspection mirror to look under all the seats and did not see any signs of a broadcast in the springs or on the floor. I pulled the spare tire out and used the mirror to look behind the cardboard bulkhead liner and did not see anything in there either. I don't want to needlessly pull that back seat since the bottom cushions are so hard to remove and replace without damaging the vinyl.

[njsteve]

Here's something interesting I noticed about the spare tire. What I thought is mildew is the protective film that is sprayed on the white letters. You know, that blue stuff that is on the sidewalls of modern new tires when they arrive. It seems to be on both sides of the tires.

In addition to the tire, the jack does not appear to ever have been used. - there are no paint chips where the post would mount in to the base.

Here's some photos:




The unpainted spot by the center cap opening appears to be a result of the method by which the factory must have had the rim held in a fixture when it was painted. The other NOS spare I have has the very same unpainted notch.





Original valve stem and cap with small dome on the cap.




The jack in its original position

[njsteve]

Here is a panorama of the trunk for you trunk spatter paint aficianados out there: