[73XR7]

Ok people i need some good old fashioned advice.
I own a 1973 XR7 in Triple Ginger. Marti report shows that it is 1 of like 1700 made that year in that configuration.
Now i am not a man who can have normal things and i always need to make my mark on my car in some way.
My plans include a scoop, wing, new wheels, aluminum intake, 4bbl carb, aluminum water pump, i have aluminum vc's and air cleaner on there already.
My thing is should i keep her stock for the most part or should i let loose my creative side? Of course my biggest issue is rust which once thats done she will need paint. In which the second issue comes in...if i paint her what color besides Ginger goes with a near mint ginger interior? I have discussed the color issue before and we talked about black cherry, and black and forrest green...but i need more opinions. So i lkeave it to you peeps to help me decide!
Thanks!

 

[73XR7]

Heres a pic of her

 

[droptopcat70]

have some fun,
do some modifications to her, you`ll enjoy it more
thanks
pat

 

[sixt9coug]

i agree. have some fun with it and modify it. hell i have an oddball 67 right now with a bench seat, factory 4bbl 289 and what looks like a decor interior... but im gonna cut it up as a parts car. yeah it kinda sucks but well, sometiems you gotta look at the whole picture as with the condition of the car, and even if it originally was a rare car, if it needs alot of work now then look at if its gonna be worth the cost to restore it to original, if at all. in my case, the 67 isnt worth the repair cost. in yours, the car looks overall solid. but to stock i think you wont be as happy. Clevelands have ALOT of potential, and in stock 73 form they had all the smog restrictions on them, so why not have more fun with it? yeah im ranting but it is all your choice, but nothing wrong with modifying the car at all. hell, make a full tube chassis car with a blown 514 thatll turn alot of heads

 

[73XR7]

lol
I like the tube frame idea...what i would love is to drop it off at Chip Foose Design and hand him a 50K check...lol

 

[Bruce]

Take advantage of improvements in technology. Better suspension components, shocks, power everything, etc. Donna's restomod looks bone stock except for the wheels unless you open the hood or know what to look for on the inside. She has all of the modern conveniences and classic looks, the best of both worlds.

 

[texrep]

Hey!!.. whatever floats your boat!!! Go for it!


Don

 

[cougarguy]

"anyone can restore it takes a real man to cut it up" read it on a bumper sticker and feel it is true to this day.

 

[69BluKat]

I agree. This is your car. Let it show your personality. When it is all said and done, if you are happy with it, that's all that matters.

 

[Local Hero]

73XR-7, that 50K check at Foose's just might get you an artistic renduring of what the final project "could" look like. I saw on TLC a few weeks back on a show about him called "RIDES" that he gets 5K for just one wheel that he designs and has milled.

By the way, I vote to make it as creative as you wish and funds will allow.

Mark

 

[73XR7]

Oh i know man i was just joking...he does do awesome stuff tho! I saw that show and was like WHOA!

 

[Martin]

Given the fact that they aren't making them anymore I will suggest you plan the modifications with the cars long-term well-being in mind. Sometimes external factors force us to let go of our treasures, and when that happens the next owner may not be as skilled as you and thus be unable to maintain a highly modified car. A couple of those owners later it is no longer a nice car and may be headed for the boneyard. So I think you should make the modifications that will make you want to keep it for a long time and stay away from the extremes.

 

[72cat]

Unless you're like us and don't ever let the old cars go....

66 Ford Fairlane [no eng. etc]
69 Ford Ranchero I.6 200cui Parts car for 71 ranchero
70 Holden Monaro V8 308cui Project eldest son
70 Ford Mercury Cougar V8 351cui
71 Ford Ranchero V8 302cui Project No 1
72 Ford Mercury Cougar V8 351cui
73 VW Bus/Kombi 4cyl Chev 2.5l Project No 3
74 VW Bus/Kombi 4cyl vw 1.8l Project No 2
81 Ford Escort 4cyl 1.6l Project No 4 [for 3rd son]
83 Ford Sierra V6 2.3l Due for overhaul
86 Mercedes Benz 4cyl 2l daily driver
86 Renault 9 4cy 1.4l 2nd Son's 'project'
89 VW Golf CSL 2nd Son's daily driver
89 Toyota Corolla GL 1st Son's almost totalled daily driver
80 900CBF will be finished one day
89 Yamaha DT125 Middle sons daily driver
1 ski boat - will use her --one day

 

[Martin]

Exactly my point - I don't let go of cars either, but when I had the chance to move from Denmark to California and then Hawaii I had to leave my 63 Galaxie in Denmark. Divorce, death, opportunity, economic misfortune etc. may separate you and your beloved car with little prior notice. Thus we need to keep our cars in a marketable condition to ensure their survival.

 

[jjoohhnnbb]

I say you should do it til it feels good.

If you want a lumpy cam and then the next guy can't maintain it then he will have to spend the money to have it worked on. Build it the way YOU want it, because you don't have to worry about the next person driving it.

A car is still just a tool, no matter how much we love them, and if it doesn't fit YOUR hand then you will become dissatisfied and leave it to get a tool that does fit.

 

[NoKitten]

Creative reasoning

I say no wing, unlesss it's an Eliminator repop/orig wing. Those low, sleek flat black spoilers look good on cougs, anything else wouldn't. As to motor, satisfy yourself, but try to keep it streetable. We all want to see you drive to the shows, ya?

Be expressive. And, if you check itow's paint poll, you'll find my color recomendations for your triple ginger car.

 

[Cougrrcj]

Keep it stock only if you plan on showing in Concours Judged class at shows, otherwise..... I think that a car in an extension of your own personality. Do with it as you see fit! Modifying our cars is just plain old AMERICAN!!!

 

[73XR7]

NoKitten,
It will be a eliminator style wing
Also i am thinking of adding Trans Am style vent to the front fenders...not sure tho.

 

[73XR7]

Heres a pic of me and Ginger.. this is the hood scoop that i will be using I just layed it on there for looks to see if i liked it
Oh and by the way she also now has a new windshield and trim around it.

 

[Tim B]

Since you asked for opinions (and I always have one or two!) here's my take:

1) If it's a nice low mileage original survivor, keep it that way. Only make mods that can be removed without holes or cuts.

2) If it needs a restoration or "freshening" take a few more liberties. But still keep it subtle. How about an Eliminator (68-72)hood scoop instead? Period Magnum 500 wheels? 351C 4bbl, header, duals, X pipe? If you have the $$$ slip in a 460. But keep it stock looking.....it'd be a great sleeper.

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but tacky is obvious to everyone!