Hello, I spend most of my time over at the s197 area... So, please bare with me. I am looking at buying a 1965 plane jane v-8, near me. Could a few of you guy(and gals) give me some heads up on their problem areas. I already understand the front perch (sp) mounts are one area to look at. It is an automatic, with a 302, no ac, ps, etc....... I am looking to just keep it a daily driver, no resto yet. Any help would be nice. Asking price is 4,000. Good tread, runs good, alot of original equipment in it, etc. Decent paint, blue interior. Thanks in advance, JON

 

Check out the New Buyer Guide up in the FAQ section. Good info there.

The main thing is RUST, check the cowl area closely. Check the framerails. Check the floorpans. For any rust you DO see, there's 4x as much "hiding".

Did I mention to check for RUST? :scratch:

 

I did read the extensive fix on the 65 cowl area.... WOW.. Any help would be noce, Thanks

 

Cloney neglected to mention RUST!

 

excellent advice from Clone and his link! Be careful, You have to remember this car is 40 years old. That means the wiring is probably also 40 years old. If it's going to be a daily driver, it has to be very dependable. Have a qualified bodyman, and mechanic check it out, even if it cost you a few dollars. Then you will have piece of mind.

bondo and paint can hide wonders!

 

I have restored about 9 cars in my life, so alot of the mechanics, etc I can do. I figured that you guys here have first hand experience at the trouble spots, thanks

 

Ok, I'm looking into getting a 65-66 Mustang Coupe and am reviewing past threads to research what to look for when buying these to make sure I get a car that is 100% restorable to stock condition without having to do much, if any metal work.

The main trick I'm trying to pull off here is knowing all of the key points for rust, which the buyers guide gives a few spots, such as the cowl vents, frame rails, and floor pans, but I just want to make sure I have a good general idea of all possible spots.

My main question here is about possible problem areas. Other than my rust questions, what parts of the car, that if rusted are unrepairable also worries me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am just trying to make the most educated decision when making this purchase. I'd rather represent mustangs with a show car someday rather than a junker I need to get rid of because it didn't meet my needs.

Thanks again,

-Matt

 

the BEST thing you can do is ask/cajole/beg/whatever a person familiar with old Mustangs to go with you and advise. This is esp important since he (hopefully) wont be emotionally involved in the car and will tell you the straight stuff.....

my personal limit is frame rails....if its a plain 65-66 coupe, I stop at frame rail cheese....not worth it IMO. But to anser your question, almost ANYTHING on a 65-66 can be replaced...for a price

 

Yeah, thats about what I expected, I just wanted to make sure and I appreciate it. I have a friend who knows everything about these cars and reassures me he does but I just want to do my homework on this too, couldn't hurt I figured.

Thanks again,

-Matt

 

The best advice that anyone ever gave me is DON'T get emotionally involved with the car until it is yours. Looks bad? Walk away. They are all over.

I use a 66 GT as a daily driver and it is a labor of love

 

You forgot to mention that the owner of the car is a mustang lover and is already emotional attached. Bring money with you. We're a fickle bunch.

I agree with the others...bring someone you trust.

 

Dan--Very, very true. Fickle? I'd say borderline crazy about our cars. I know that it'd take WAY more money that the GT is worth to pry it from me.

I've helped several people buy stangs over the years and, although I can only speak for me, ANY day when I get to go look at an old car is a good day for me! I've seen some friends get deals and I've helped some avoid having their pockets picked. Someone helped us get our first one 20 some years ago and I'm just returning the favor.

I think that most Mustang people are this way. Just ask--never hurts to offer to buy lunch, too!

 

heh Yeah, I'm only 18 and I have been heavily into old bugs and know a lot about them and am helping my friend purchase a quality one so I know what you guys mean about be nice to your guide. I'm leaving that circle for more of a real car.

Thanks for the info you guys,

-Matt

 

Watch for the power steering lines behind the left front wheel. They may get leaks cause they rub so many things on their way up to the pump. Had one blow while I was driving once and it felt like I ran over a small bear.

 

 

So you guys said that the owners are fickle and are hard to part with their car?...

Found a '65 in an odd yellow (special edition color) original paint, 70,000 original miles, factory air, not sure if it's an A or C code, haven't got a chance to look at the VIN yet, never been hit, garaged since new by the original owner, an almost eighty year old woman. Cowl so clean it hurts heh Original interior with not even a sun-spot anywhere, original engine and trans, original black and yellow plates, never sat and runs like the day it left the factory.

I'm trying to see how much it's gonna take to get this one, it's amazing. I'm gonna try going from 3 grand up to five something and see what happens.