Before telling you what I am paying, I want you to tell me what you think I should pay.

Its a 1966 Mustang non gt coupe. It was originally an A code 200 hp 289 car. It has the original c4 auto with a 2.80 rear. It has the basic interior in blue. It was originally and still is Wimbeldon White with a black vinyl top. It has the original hubs. Currently has a 302 in it but there is a 289 that comes with the car that is bored with an intake and 4 barrel carb. No heads are on that engine. It was originally a two barrel car and had/still has power steering. All gauges, accessories, and heater work. It was a non ac car. The car needs paint, but subframe looks good with some surface rust around the drivers side seat holes where it doesn't have any plugs. The cowl has a small leak and the buckets need to be replaced. Some surface rust on the channels and major rust on the drain holes on the rear quarter. Rear trunk is clean as a whistle and one fender has been replaced. No sign of an accident. Needs a new steering wheel and the interior needs to be freshened. There is a tear in the drivers seat and the drivers carpet needs to be replaced from the drip. Shock towers look good and the car drives and brakes well. Car comes with both engines. I am thinking about painting it brittney blue. I have attached some pics for your review. Let me know what you think.

 

I'd guess around 2-3K

 

I'm jealous. I always wanted a '66 GT hardtop.

 

I'm not sure myself, repairing rust can be expensive. And these cars can need a lot of things done to them, all of which cost money!

I had to have the engine, trans, and rear end rebuilt on mine. That cost a pretty penny!

 

The good news is I have a running 302 in it now so the car drives fine until I have the 289 built.

Respectfully,

Roger

 

I'd guess about 2K myself, given the rust issues... maybe 3, if I was really feeling in the 'gotta havit' mode.

I'd really have to be having a good look under the dash, under the car, etc. But the bubbles in the door outside are not a great sign. Rust is my biggest concern... and I *hate* those stupid cowl covers. Hate. There are easier ways to fix that problem... it's called Por15 paint, Por15 putty, and tophats inserts. Worked great, no more issues... basically rebuilt the cowls from the inside... and easily added on if needed.

I am well aware of unwelding the cowl and repairing correctly... which is why I'm totally against the cowl cover. Fixing the problem THAT leaves behind in my opinion is worse.. those poor little slats...

Still, it's not a bad starting point, I'm sure you're gonna have a really good looker when you're done!

/brings back memories... good times, good times...

 

Hey Houtex,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, in florida it is very yard to find a running mustang for 2-3k. In that price range you get a stripped rolling chassis unpainted or a parts car. So I went a little higher than that but not much. I looked in all the usual areas as I am familiar with what to look for. The bubbles concern me but I knocked on them and they seem solid. The paint was done in 91 and the prep wasn't very good so it might be bubbling. It will interesting to see. This will be a long term project as I plan on getting a boss or gt500 in the next few years and I have a G8 GT as my daily. Again thanks for the reply. I won't be doing any of the bodywork/paint or welding, but I will be doing everything else to include building the A Code motor while driving it with the 302.

Respectfully,

Roger

 

Well guys just a quick update. I haven't really had time to do anything really major buttt..... So far I have cleaned up the engine bay, taken the tow hitch off, flushed the tranny, replaced the brake lines (also flushed and replaced the fluid), loosened the drums a bit, gotten the car on a lift, changed the diff fluid and thats pretty much it. Next on the agenda is a new power steering seal, new plugs (I suspect a bad connection is causing a miss that wasn't there until we took the air cleaner etc. off), new diff seal, repair of the driver seat cover, paint faded carpeting and some of the interior panels, put in seat belts, put in rear firewall for gas tank safety, and a new steering wheel. On the agenda is to get a new bolt kit and then start the arduous process of getting things rechromed. The body is in good shape. The floor boards and trunk is clean, shock towers are clean, cowl/hats etc are clean, tranny shifts smooth as silk now, the rear quarter areas need a small area removed and so do the doors, and the surface rust needs to be fixed. All in all not that bad. To have the body redone, all repaired, and painted to the point where I won't have to restore it for 15 years is going to run me about 7k. Not too bad. Every electrical piece works on the car including the original wiper blades, lights, horn, turn signals etc. It still has the original power steering pump, bladder etc. I will keep you up to date.
Roger

http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...hotos/1082888/
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18340350
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18358273
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18358314
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18358376
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18358382
http://www.meetup.com/PerfectionPerf...2888/#18358389
http://www.meetup.com/carphotography...0181/#18271362
http://www.meetup.com/carphotography...0181/#18369802
http://www.meetup.com/carphotography...0181/18271498/

 

That is a good find. Congrats.

I would normally suspect a Mustang such as yours to be a hidden chamber of rust and rot horrors. Glad it is not turning out that way!

 

Thanks,

I did find out it was born in October 1965 at the San Jose Plant and went straight to Arizona with the original owner for 20 years. It then was sold to the previous owner who kept it in Florida for another 10 years. All in all I should have about 12500 in it when everything is done. It really does drive great and I enjoy it. I have owned a lot of mustangs and only my 03 mach1 garnered as much attention. Its funny when people pass my friends beautiful 09 Shelby and say they would rather have my car. Although, I can't wait to own a Shelby as well. I just wish I had more time to get it done faster.

Respectfully,

Roger

 

My dad wanted to take the rustang into the shop he manages for my xmas present. He spilled the beans and told me he was having rear seat belts in so that my son could ride in it. He asked that I bring the car over last night. Being that it was in the 40's last night in Florida and I decided to try the heater. Low and behold it actually worked. I haven't tried the defrost but the heater worked like a charm. I have a feeling my dad is telling me more than he is telling me but I thought that was pretty cool since it is the original heater and core

Roger

 

Well Congrats, how is the rest of the restro going?

Any pics?

 

congrats, I am three years and 10 K into mine and still at the body shop with it...LOL

 

Seeing as its a running driver, I think $4500 would be fair. You got to start somewhere and if you can get the car all the way done and have less than $15K in it, you've done something. Now, how much did you pay?

 

Slow so far. I do bits and pieces where I can. I will update in the post below. I don't have anything new but I can post some with my son in it

 

Kenny,

I ended up paying 4500, but for tax purposes 500 . Anyway, it came with a 289 short block and and a new lower intake etc. I think I did pretty good.

 

So, I got the mustang back yesterday and my dad had installed the seat belts, replaced some components of the power steering, replaced the distrubuter, cap, coil, plugs, and plug wires. The 302 runs so much smoother. I had tested the cylinder heat and I knew two cylinders weren't firing. Runs like a champ now. We also rolled a small dent in the nose. While the seats were out we had our body man look at the body and it is clean as a whistle there as well. He said the small rusted areas evidenced on the pictures above could be cut out and repaired pretty easily. He also said he could do everything for around 4k. That would mean 4500 in it so far. My dad also throws a lot of business to his interior guy. he said he would repair the seat for 100 and re do all the panels/carpet for free. I think I will probably end up with another 2k in the 289 and about another 2 grand in other small bits and pieces. So 12500 total investment to make it perfect. Not bad I think

 

Well that sounds good, but the trans, and the rear end can also cost some money!

But, I'm glad to see you restoring your Mustang..........

 

Hey Falchion,

Thank you for keeping up with my posts. The trans is fine now. We flushed the fluid a while back and put new fluid in it. The condition of the fluid was horrid and it was leaking so it was very low. We fixed the seal and refilled it with new fluid. We did the same for the rear and it shifts smooth as silk. My dad and I were commenting how much better it shifts than the sn95 auto's that dropped 3500 rpm between shifts. Driveability wise the car drives amazing and with the power steering components replaced it has no more leaks. So that means I can drive it while I put the 289 back together. It also means I can start concentrating on other areas. Little things like putting the door handles facing the right direction. Aligning the wheel. (The alignment is great but the steering wheel is off). Just the fun little stuff. I tell my dad all the time how much I enjoy driving it. My wife loves it too!! One step at time, but I love this car!!

Respectfully,
Roger

 

Well good! Keep us informed with plenty of pics!

I spent plenty of money on mine, but mine also drives real nice!

Looking forward to hear about the rest of your restoration......