Restored 1992-2000

The decision to restore is a major one, but the decision of how far to go is also challenging. In the group that has now developed around these wonderful old racecars there are few that are still in their original condition. Craig Kline’s unique survivor Cougar is an excellent example and often the only example of an unrestored T/A car that participates in HMSA events.

Safety was also a key part of the restoration decision. Many of our hero’s would have been around today if current safety equipment and building knowledge were available.

Every effort was made to accurately participate in the spirit that makes up HMSA vintage racing, “the cars are the stars”. The original body damage from the preliminary race the weekend prior to the 1969 Michigan Trans Am race, which helps identify the cars tub as original, was left crinkled. The roof with its holes for the camera mounts is untouched as are the doors with there original internal metalwork. The dash and its unique instrument’s. The firewall’s unique holes for the custom aircraft style wiring, along with the 1968 fender flares versus the larger 1969 flares help put the Mustang into spirit of today’s HMSA’s as first raced condition. The first Year Sea Mist Green, the Silver Mink of 1969, the replaced panels Medium Blue, and the light everywhere Yellow of 1969 and the Rangoon Red from Mexico, all over the original body and chassis made identifying the originality of the Hinchliff Ross Mustang an easy process.

The restoration project began the New Years Eve of 1998/1999 when J. Bittle, Paul Dotson, Chuck Kolb and Ray Hale began the transport of the Hinchliff Mustang to San Diego, California. It was a great road trip.

Picked up and delivered to Paul and Grace Dotson’s home in Woodstock, Georgia, Grace’s driveway would be occupied with this fine example of dilapidated American road racing history for what she was assured was a very short time.

The infamous delivery to New Orleans by Chuck Kolb just in time for the Sugar Bowl began the road trip weekend of life to bring the T/A car home. Here the Texas Aggie’s make some noise on the way to watching the Aggieband win the half time competition against the Ohio State Buckeye’s.

A rental truck and trailer at old Texas A&M Sports Car Club buddy Ray Hale’s home is loaded and ready to go on one more long road trip. Here we are ready to get on the road for the straight through run to San Diego.

Safe in Southern California the Hinchliff / Ross Mustang is ready to make its new home at the Bittle’s. Here the Bittle boys and Vickie get ready for the big project after enjoying a good visit from ol buddy Ray Hale.

The remaining Rangoon Red Mexican paint scheme color along with the first round of restoration to the silver is how the Hinchliff/Ross Mustang arrived at the Bittle’s ready for the restoration.

Here Vickie and Stewart Bittle begin the cleaning, inspection and disassembly process of one worn out old race car.

Crew Chief A. J. Bittle tears into the disassembly process with determination to go to Daytona.

The decision to remove the dash pad was a very exciting time because under the pad was the original tech inspection sticker from Steve Ross and one of the SCCA events he participated in at the end of 1969 from the Northeast Division.

Scott Case begins the removal of heavily repairs and the Mexican modifications that Ed Hinchliff had documented as non-original.

The original dash with electronic switches (which were sponsored and installed in 1968 at the night race at Daytona by Hella) and drivers door were well documented by both the era of the parts and Ed Hinchliff and Steve Ross.

No longer legal the modified roll cage is removed, to be saved and re-installed with legal materials and in the same Hinchliff configuration.

To gain access to the bent sheet metal, and to allow for the repairs, the temporary removal of the cage was necessary. Here the new quarter panels have been installed and the vintage vender flares from the 1968 season were re-installed while the 1069 flares were stored.

The bodywork along with the repair of the chassis is near complete as the time to re-install the cage draws near.