A 1967 Ford Mustang in Candy Apple Red is the kind of classic that deserves to be driven and admired. Unfortunately, one Canadian example spent two decades hidden away in a barn, gathering dust while mice slowly took over its interior.
The car had once been cherished by its previous owners, but life eventually got in the way. By the time its new owner, Nolan, acquired it, the Mustang needed serious attention before it could return to the road.
Despite its condition, the Mustang still had plenty going for it. Before Nolan could concentrate on getting it running again, however, he needed to deal with two decades of accumulated filth.
As documented by The Detail Geek YouTube channel, Nolan brought his recently purchased Mustang in for its first thorough cleaning in decades. What followed was a 16-hour detailing job that produced an emotional reaction neither man would soon forget.
A Dream Car Left in Storage
Originally sold in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Mustang had passed through several owners before disappearing into storage. Its factory 289-cubic-inch V8 had also been replaced with a 351 Cleveland, giving Nolan an interesting mechanical project.
He planned to tackle the engine in spring, followed by further restoration work. First, however, the car needed an extensive cleanup, particularly inside.
Twenty Years of Unwanted Passengers
The exterior was coated in dust, while the cabin contained piles of mouse droppings, nests, and damaged upholstery. The smell was so severe that the detailer described it as the worst he’d encountered.
Opening the jammed trunk required removing the rear seat and reaching the latch from inside. The compartment was packed with nesting material, and the detailer filled his shop vacuum twice while removing the mess. He also discovered several dead mice, along with rodents still living inside the Mustang.
Sixteen Hours of Cleaning
The Detail Geek began with a thorough exterior wash before cleaning the engine bay, carefully protecting the carburetor from water. Inside, he removed the carpets, vacuumed the debris, and deep-cleaned the upholstery and seat belts.
The deteriorating paint required caution because a previous repaint was already flaking. Polishing restored some gloss, while chrome treatment and a protective coating helped improve the Mustang’s appearance ahead of its planned repaint.
An Emotional Reunion
When Nolan returned, he could hardly believe the transformation. He repeatedly thanked the detailer, admitted his knees were shaking, and said he felt like the luckiest guy in the world.
The Mustang still needed mechanical work before it could be driven, but Nolan was already imagining taking it out for a summer cruise. Looking over the freshly cleaned car, he admitted that the results were even better than he’d expected.