Meet “baby II” the 1977 Mustang that belongs to Chris McCarragher. Chris bought this car over 30 years ago when he was 15 years old. He has moved all over the country as his career in the Navy unfolded, and the little red mustang followed him every step of the way. Several years ago Chris started taking the car apart for some maintenance items and upgrades, and like most of us can understand, it snowballed into a complete tear down. Well life, kids, and work got in the way and before he could get the car back together, Chris was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He still has the burn and desire to finish the Mustang but simply doesn’t have the ability to finish it. We heard about Chris’s story and immediately knew that we wanted to help make his dream of driving his car again come true. “Baby II” will represent 1977 in the 55 years of mustang at Ponies in the Smokies and after the show we will help Chris get his car back on the road with the help of our sponsors and your donations and ultimately make his dreams come true!

To donate to our go fund me account for the build, follow the link below!

https://www.gofundme.com/babyii

We first heard of the project when Chris and his wife submitted the car to Garage Squad for help. Once we saw the video, we knew we had to get involved, check it out, we are sure you will feel the same way after watching it!

Lastly, here is Chris in his own words talking about the car.

I have always loved Mustangs even including the rare 2nd generation that has been overlooked by so many.

So way back when I was 15 and started looking for my first car I was lucky enough to come across an all original 1977 Mustang II with all the extras. I fell in love with it and became the 2nd owner of my baby and my one and only project car. I have been enjoying and working on this car for the past 30 years.

Major items I need help with are getting it put back together and running!

Motor
Clutch
Transmission
Rear end
Exhaust
Suspension
Interior

I have all original parts along with extras I have purchased along the way or pulled from a donor parts car.

Motor is original 302 V8 that has been bored over and rebuilt with Edelbrock intake manifold and Holley 4 barrel carburetor and it ran great before it was removed from the car over 10 years ago. Since it has not run in so long I expect it will probably need to be gone through and checked before starting it up, even though it has always been kept in garage, lubricated, and rotated.

Clutch, Borg Warner Manual 4 speed Transmission, and 8″ Rear End with 3.00:1 gear ratio all did work when they were removed but they may need some help or to be rebuilt. 2nd gear is questionable.

I have new Headman headers for the motor but do need all the rest of the exhaust and also need a new radiator.

Suspension is all original and installed but may also need some help.

I have restored the original fuel tank with all new components, currently no fuel in tank, but may need new fuel line and fuel pump.

She was originally Bright Red exterior paint with Red Corinthian Vinyl interior but I repainted her Candy Apple Red with the White racing strips way back in College days. The rear bumper is still original Bright Red color.

I have all of the interior parts except she needs new carpet and heater core. Everything inside needs to be cleaned up and seats may need to be reupholstered. T-tops are in great shape but leak and need new weatherstripping but not critical since now always garage kept.

I have put on all new brakes (disc front and drum rear) including the master cylinder and brake lines and they are working but have not been tested when running.

Thank you so much for reading!- Chris McCarragher

So join us on this incredible journey as we get this Mustang II back on the road. The plan is simple, the car will be on display at Ponies In The Smokies March 23 and 24th in the convention center. Once PITS is over, we will jump on the car and get it running and back on the road so Chris can enjoy his “Baby II” again!