1970 351C 4V Sportsroof

The car on display at Convention 2002 in Hamilton

An especially good example with the 300 hp 351C-4V engine, painted in a very attractive Vermillion red, and fitted with an imported American made powered rack and pinion steering conversion.

(Under the bonnet. Click for full size picture)

The car was imported into New Zealand in 1979.   

Manufactured:     Nov 1970 at San Jose             VIN Number:        ORO2M121594
Original Colour:   Dark Ivy Green Metallic                Colour:               Vermillion Red.
Interior Colour:   Black                                           Engine:             351 4V Cleveland V8              
Transmission:      FMX 3 speed auto                    Axle Ratio:           3.07: 1 (std) 9 inch  

Factory Options:
  Power disc brakes  
  Powered rack & pinion steering (TCP)
  Colour keyed racing mirrors  
  Front Spoiler (Genuine factory fibreglass-not plastic)
  Rear Spoiler (Genuine factory fibreglass)  
  Factory wood grain deluxe dash with clock  
  Original AM push button radio still fitted.
  Rocker panel mouldings (Along under the door)
  Fender edge trim strips.

Options subsequently added:
  Chromed 14 x 8 12 slot GT Wheels with 235 x 60 tyres (including a full size identical spare wheel)
  Wood rim steering wheel
  Xenon high output headlights 
  Driving lights (hidden behind grill)  
  Uprated front and rear suspension
  Mach 1 dual stainless exhaust extensions
  Sony "Explode" sound system with JVL GT speakers.
  Powered rack and Pinion steering system (TCP).
  Alarm  

Key improvements carried out by Wal:

1. Rebuilt the rear brakes; (new cylinders, shoes, replaced the drums with a fined set, new rear brake lines and hose).

2. Replaced the rear suspension, (new uprated leaf springs, and new front and rear bushes). 

3. Replaced the headlights with new Xenon units, and relayed the headlights off for maximum power.

4. Fitted 14 x 8 chrome 12 slot wheels all round including  the spare wheel.

5. Installed a shock tower brace in the engine bay. 

6. Replaced the battery with a heavy duty truck unit.

7. Installed Pertronix Ignitor, (electronic points) into the distributor.

8. Repaired a water leak in lower left corner of rear window. (When the window was removed it revealed a seam that had never been properly sealed in the factory; a common problem with all 69/70 fastback models.)

9. Rebuilt the front suspension: New strut rod mountings, new top and bottom suspension arm and spring perches. (Already installed were 600 lb/inch springs and 15/16th inch front sway bar with new mounting rubbers). Included lowering the top suspension arms 1 inch to improve handling. 

10. Removed original manual steering system, and replaced it with a powered Rack and Pinion Steering kit,  from Total Control Products in the US. (This is a very expensive conversion (NZ$5,000 ish) , but brilliant improvement!  

11. Fitted 69 Mach 1 style dual stainless exhaust extensions with correct rolled ends.

12. Fitted new Inertia reel seat belts on both front seats.

More Photos of the Car   

This car looked terrific, ran sweetly, and handled and steered brilliantly.