Very nice Jeff!! I like the modified adpt bracket for the modern AC compressor.
Thanks, Brian but I can’t take credit for it. The bracketry is part of the engine compartment upgrade kit I bought from Classic Auto Air.
Asked
I modified the sliding sunroof panel so I can manually open it without having to disconnect anything. This gives me more headroom when the roof is closed and makes it easier to access the adjustment points.
and answered
I also changed the sliding upholstered panel so that it is no longer connected to the panel and I can slide it open independently to give myself more headroom or access the adjustment points.
I think that is a great idea!
Awesome car Jeff, and it’s even better in person. I never saw the “before” pics… that is quite a transformation. The new paint job is killer… sorry that it took 2 years for it to get done!
Some pics from last year’s open house at WCCC:
Awesome car, really. Is that the “factory” color, or has that been modded a bit, too?
Congrats Jeff, it was cool to take this guided tour of your car. Cheers.
Thanks. I painted the car in factory Competition Green but this car was originally delivered in Medium Lime Metallic with black Decor interior and black vinyl top. You won’t find evidence of the original color though-unless you check the new door tag which I had reproduced but left with all the original color and option codes.
I knew I would never find a sunroof car optioned the way I wanted in the color combination I wanted of Comp Green over black & white houndstooth. I had a choice of finding a car in the color I wanted and adding all the options or finding a car optioned the way I wanted and changing the colors. I opted for the latter.
I had my future son-in-law who is the leather guy at a local auto customization shop, fashion a new panel using the original metal sliding frame for a template. He choose some thin corrugated plastic that was cut to shape and to which he glued original headliner material. He then scrounged up a new black plastic handle from a modern sliding sunroof panel and cut that into the new upholstered panel. It flexs so it will fit into the original sunroof slides without removing anything, including the metal panel. It fits tight to the metal panel too so you can’t see a gap when the roof is open.
I’ll try to remember to take a shot of it with the panel closed and open and I’ll post them later.
Way cool…wasn’t a huge fan of the houndstooth before, but it just “works” with that Comp. Green.
Same with mine on “no evidence” of the original color…unless you check the door tag…
, media-blasting rocks.
Me? I had a new door tag made with the options I changed indicated as such (4 speed and 3.25 limited slip). I mean why not make the illusion complete? Just my thinking on this, i.e., my $.02.
Regardless, great car/job Jeff. 
Bob, the argument against doing that is that it gives a future seller the opportunity to misrepresent those items as original ("Look, it’s right there on the door tag!). While you may never sell Isabel, you (probably) aren’t going to live forever. Someday, there will be a future seller.
That is the main reason I choose not to change the door tag. I have no interest in misrepresenting the car. Not suggesting that was Bob’s intent but this was the right choice for me and my car.
If someone asks how the car was originally equipped, I tell them. If they ask me if the color is original, I tell them that it is an original 1970 Cougar color. Most people don’t seem to care at all that the car wasn’t delivered in this color combination and if they do, well…f*** 'em.
Love the paint highlights and reflections in these pictures.
Would be hard to code “Grey over Brandywine”, and 4-wheel power discs…plus, the drivers door on mine wasn’t the original, either…had an augusta green xr7 tag on it. No worries, though. I considered having my paint code changed to “X” (at least I think that’s what the custom color choice was??)
X was Wellington Blue in 1968. Custom would have been blank.
What? That’s not what the devil told me when I sold him my soul and decided to fix Isabel!
Beautiful car Jeff. Excellent and tasteful modifications!!!
Thanks, Zoli. My goal was to make the car a great cruiser that is comfortable with modern amenities but one that appeared to be pretty much stock. This car moves down the highway at 70 mph on cruise control turning 1900 rpm’s with the A/C blowing cold and the tunes cranked. It handles well, accelerates wonderfully and is reasonably quiet. It’s really a pleasure to drive.
I never understood why someone with good intentions would change a door tag.
