FORD MUSTANG
RUN BY Lizzie Pope
OWNED SINCE October 2017
PREVIOUS REPORT Oct 2023
As reported in Octoberʼs group update, the Mustang made the successful trip to and from the Le Mans Classic in the summer. Weʼd noticed a bit of oil dripping on the ground, but investigation once home proved that this was only a leaky rocker-cover gasket, which was soon replaced.
Despite the Ford not legally requiring an MOT, for peace of mind weʼd rather have someone give the car an annual once-over, so a booking was made in August. The alarming verdict was that the rear brakes didnʼt work. We had not noticed, likely because the retardation of a 59-year-old car doesnʼt have gut-wrenching force anyway, but, having been told, it had to be checked out. The clock was against us, with a summer holiday and busy work schedules to contend with, but also wanting to have the Mustang ready for the Concours of Elegance and the Goodwood Revival, both of which were in September. The culprit was the rear hub seal on the lefthand side, which was leaking oil on to the brakes. This is a part of the car that, during a rebuild prior to us taking ownership, made use of non-ford (but American) parts, so there was a little trial and error in getting the right components. But with the correct Jeep items sourced and fitted, all was well.
Iʼm not afraid to admit that, when driving the car to the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park for the Classic & Sports Car Tour to the Concours of Elegance, it was clear how much better the Ford stopped. And it was lovely to meet readers and their cars, then to (briefly) feel like royalty when we swept into Hampton Court Palace and took our place in the line-up. Next was the Goodwood Revival, and for three days the Mustang performed faultlessly.
After a lull in activities, we gave the car a quick check-over and a run in late December, ahead of a planned New Yearʼs Day outing. Our destination was to be the fantastically varied meeting in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, a bustling and ever-changing automotive tableau that takes over London Road on either side of the Phoenix Inn pub. Even better, we met some friends there, one of whom had made the slow journey from Wiltshire in his ex-military 109in Series III Land-rover. Less good was realising that the Mustangʼs passenger-side door was reluctant to stay closed. It proved a bit of a faff to remove the door mechanism, but, once out, this was clearly the first time it had seen the light of day in a long time. After it had been left in degreaser for a few days, it looked like new and, with the door reassembled, itʼs working perfectly again.
All the car needs to be ready for the season ahead is a good clean, to remove all the Revival dust.