Progress On Al and Gary Schweitzer's '65 Mustang Magic Skyway car continues in earnest.
We've been waiting for this car to shine for more than 30 years. Gary Schweitzer and his father, Al, a retired Chrysler executive bought this historic convertible from the original Detroit owner, in 1978 with just 35,000 original miles showing. It had been a driver for more than a decade. It was one of 12 Walt Disney/Ford Magic Skyway cars from the 1965 segment of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.
For decades, this car sat disassembled in long term storage because there wasn't the time, nor the means, to begin a restoration. And Gary wasn't about to begin a restoration until it could do the car justice. About four years ago, Gary decided to blow the dust off and give this sleeping collectible a whirl.
It has been our pleasure to help Gary from an editorial angle on this car, rebuilding the 200ci six, C4 transmission, and integral carrier rear axle. All of which are back in Michigan comfortable nestled in the car.
Gary admits this restoration is taking much longer than he anticipated due to his close attention to authenticity. He found a set of BFGoodrich Silvertown bias belted tires. He even went as far as to find 1965 period wheel weights Much of the car's original interior is going back in right down to the bench seat, which was installed during the car's Magic Skyway prep. Study the car's warranty plate and you will see "76A" indicating a standard interior bucket seat car.
Go to Gary's trunk area and you will see "MUST 383-376" on the fuel tank. Gary's vehicle identification number is 5F08T383386, which means this car had the fuel tank from 5F08T383376. Fuel tanks were removed from these cars before they were transported to New York, then reinstalled after the Fair ended. Because the car's 383376 tank was badly deteriorated, Gary had to opt for a new fuel tank, carefully marking the tank as it was marked in 1965.
It is unknown when Gary's Magic Skyway car will be finished because details are 99% of an authentic restoration. There is talk of waiting to roll the car out until the Mustang's 50th Anniversary in 2014, but that has not been confirmed.
One other World's Fair car, 5F08F100006, undergoes a restoration at Mustang Central in the heart of Georgia. This car's status remains unknown.
We will keep you abreast of Gary''s progress in your Mustang Monthly Magazine and in this blog.