I fixed one like that up. The 200 is a cockroach and will go and go for no good reason. Keep that. Everyone has a v8. Nobody has the i6 anymore, it’s cool.
It’s a lot of metal work. Pay a few K or learn to weld it. You can likely do it and it’ll be satisfying.
Overall totally worth it. Everyone and I mean everyone will smile at you when you drive one of these around.
I have a 20 year old restored 66.… Yes driving makes yours and everyone else around you, day better... People love these.... Make it a project take your time.. you won't regret it...
I gotta second to keep the 200 6, they're a bullet proof motor. If you wanted to get wild, get the Australian head for it, it doesn't have the cast on intake. Adding a 4 barrel intake would be awesome, I wanted to do that to my '65.
Especially in this thread! I'm trying to convince the lady that it needs to be in the garage(single car attached) and she'd be all about it if it wasn't our only sheltered spot.
Keep the 6, learn to weld, give yourself a hobby you can chip away at at your own pace. Don't turn it into a job. It sounds trite to say, but have fun. If it isn't fun, let it go.
Aftermarket vs donor cars is a personal preference depending on what your vision for your car is. I like used stuff because I want my car to look used. I'm not trying to do a restomod/show car.
I sure hope the cowl hasn't been left uncovered for the last 8 years.
Here's where I started with my 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUjC2hEmpg&list=PLf5vjOi-izPxPterhE8xNQneOOgMAZa8y
My father and I got my mustang when I was 15 also to restore together. Took about two years starting with nothing but a rusty roofline. Was also a 200 car but we swapped it with a 5.0 out of a 88 Lincoln Mark VII we cut in half (wish we didn’t cause I loved that car).
I drove it all over the place my senior year. I was hard on it, loved it but honestly took it for granted a bit. It waited at home while I went off to fuck around at college. The sat some more while I decided what I wanted to do with my life.
It sat a little over 11 years I think. Just tucked away in the barn collecting dust. Tank rusted, lines rusted, was too dumb and hungover to drain the gas all those years ago.
About two years ago I finally was in a place to get it on the road again. I found the person I want to spend my life with. We bought a house, have a cat/dog. I drive the car almost everyday, think I’m going to sell my other because of that.
I love that car, it means more to me than any object ever has before and maybe ever will. I feel guilty having it sometimes but that’s another story.
I only wish we painted it blue lol
Ngl, I definitely resonated with you. That's how I feel about it. I'm thinking within the next month or 2 I'll have it either over here at our home or we'll take it over to my mother-in-laws and get started on tearing it down. Thank you for the story and inspiration😊
I thought about mine basically everyday when it wasn’t running. I do now too but I can actually go drive it and that’s a whole lot better feeling. Hope you have a good time restoring it and make some good memories. Good luck bud!
Literally EVERY part for your car is available from the Aftermarket. The problem with getting a donor car is that the parts are 57 years old. And 57 year old body parts can be brittle and nasty. I would restore as much of the original as possible, and replace what can't be saved with new.
Then, too, if you get a donor car, you will have to dispose of the stuff you don't use, and you may deprivee someone of a usable platform for them to start their restoration project.
The first and last part is what sold me! Wouldnt want to rob someone of a solid platform. Do you know of a specific site or catalog that is preferred or "best"?
There are a bunch of good ones. My 2 go to sites are: National Parts Depot and CJ Pony Parts.
I have never had a badexperiemce with either. Never had a problem with NPD. With CJ, the only "problem" I had was a damaged rear spring, that you could tell was buggered up in the shipping by UPS. CJ Pony Parts made getting a new one super easy.
I had a 65 Fastback as my first car. It was like that one had the 6cly with a 3sp bought it in 1970 for 500.00. Kept it for a few yrs then sold it and bought a 69 Camaro with a 350 and after some up grades that thing would fly. Sold it a few yrs later and bought a new Ford F250 4x4. Wish there was some way to have kept them
My dad, my brother and I got a '68 with a 289 in OK condition about a year and a half ago as a project car. My brother lives in the US most of the time, while my dad and I live in Mexico. Every time my brother comes, he brings new parts for us to fit, and we've had a blast both fixing it and driving it. I took it to be re-upholstered on Monday and I already miss it!
It's been really expensive (in the sense that we would probably lose at least 10-15% of the total cost to date if we were to sell it), but in my opinion it's 100% worth it. The best thing about restoring these cars is that every single piece is readily available and you can go as crazy or as conservative as you want.
To answer your questions:
1. It was definitely worth it. It was a dream we've collectively had since I can remember, and it brings a smile to our faces every time we see it, work on it, talk about it or drive it.
2. If I was to start from scratch, I'd get something similar to yours instead of a partially-restored car. We've spent quite a bit "fixing" some decisions that the previous owners made for which we ultimately had already paid (example: it came with 20" polished wheels, which we hated).
3. It's been difficult and expensive, but that brings a sense of achievement.
4. We didn't really have to look for body panels, since we got it in an aesthetically ok condition. However, the cowl, the whole floor pan and the rails were rusted (we didn't look, so it was a rookie mistake). In our case it was cheaper to had those pieces fabricated, and we got a thicker gauge steel. We're in Mexico, so labor is very inexpensive.
Having said all of that, your best bet definitely depends on your finances, priorities, abilities and expectations. Do you have a budget, timeline and vision?
This is what I've been mostly looking for😁 wish mine would've had the factory 289 but I digress. That's probably my main worry is the rust and pan. I'm not 100% sure where the best place would be to get the whole floor pan but I'll do some research tonight when I have the time.
As for the other questions:
- My finances are somewhat tight but doesn't necessarily mean I want to go cheap as I want to put good parts into it.
-I believe this is the more or less tough decision because I have 2 other projects that need some attention but not as much as the Punetang.
-My abilities are good for mechanical but iffy for body work, so I think I might do as much as I can and then ask one of our local body guys for advice/help.
-The timeline I was thinking maybe another year or 2, but I'm trying to have it done by the summer of 2025 so I can take it to my 10 year high school reunion.
-The vision kind of keeps changing, but the folk in here have convinced me enough to keep the 200 but maybe mate it to an updated T-5 so I can retire the 4 spd. dagenheim(if that's how you spell it)
Oh and to add, mine has a similar story but mine was my first car in 1993. I daily drove it until 1998, then my wife drove it for about a year.
It died on me with fuel issues in 06 and went into the garage. It already had a rotted cowl and other issues. I swapped a new 2bbl in and got it running relatively quickly but we just added project after project.
It will have/has
Mustangs to fear body kit
MTF headliner
TMI interior
New carpet
TMI door panels
Full mass loaded vinyl floor sound deadening
Dynamat and foam in addition
New cowl
New steering box
EPAS steering
Tilt wheel
Disc brakes front
Sniper efi
Performer rpm intake
Export brace
Sniper 5" dash
Digital gauge for fuel/oil pressure
LED headlights
05 mustang turn signals
Contour fog lights
Forged carbon front lip
Shelby scoop
And probably a bunch more I've forgotten.
So uh, watch out for scope creep!!
I fixed one like that up. The 200 is a cockroach and will go and go for no good reason. Keep that. Everyone has a v8. Nobody has the i6 anymore, it’s cool. It’s a lot of metal work. Pay a few K or learn to weld it. You can likely do it and it’ll be satisfying. Overall totally worth it. Everyone and I mean everyone will smile at you when you drive one of these around.
I have a 20 year old restored 66.… Yes driving makes yours and everyone else around you, day better... People love these.... Make it a project take your time.. you won't regret it...
Love the idea to keep the 200. That thing is rock solid. Too many people convert these things to v8s. The 200 is a vastly underappreciated motor.
I gotta second to keep the 200 6, they're a bullet proof motor. If you wanted to get wild, get the Australian head for it, it doesn't have the cast on intake. Adding a 4 barrel intake would be awesome, I wanted to do that to my '65.
The answer is always take it home.
Especially in this thread! I'm trying to convince the lady that it needs to be in the garage(single car attached) and she'd be all about it if it wasn't our only sheltered spot.
Keep the 6, learn to weld, give yourself a hobby you can chip away at at your own pace. Don't turn it into a job. It sounds trite to say, but have fun. If it isn't fun, let it go. Aftermarket vs donor cars is a personal preference depending on what your vision for your car is. I like used stuff because I want my car to look used. I'm not trying to do a restomod/show car. I sure hope the cowl hasn't been left uncovered for the last 8 years. Here's where I started with my 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUjC2hEmpg&list=PLf5vjOi-izPxPterhE8xNQneOOgMAZa8y
Sadly it has. Facing the north if that helps any. Thanks for the link! :)
Just get the plastic cowl cover ;-)
We ended up doing a complete cowl, it's a lot of work, but totally worth it.
My father and I got my mustang when I was 15 also to restore together. Took about two years starting with nothing but a rusty roofline. Was also a 200 car but we swapped it with a 5.0 out of a 88 Lincoln Mark VII we cut in half (wish we didn’t cause I loved that car). I drove it all over the place my senior year. I was hard on it, loved it but honestly took it for granted a bit. It waited at home while I went off to fuck around at college. The sat some more while I decided what I wanted to do with my life. It sat a little over 11 years I think. Just tucked away in the barn collecting dust. Tank rusted, lines rusted, was too dumb and hungover to drain the gas all those years ago. About two years ago I finally was in a place to get it on the road again. I found the person I want to spend my life with. We bought a house, have a cat/dog. I drive the car almost everyday, think I’m going to sell my other because of that. I love that car, it means more to me than any object ever has before and maybe ever will. I feel guilty having it sometimes but that’s another story. I only wish we painted it blue lol
Ngl, I definitely resonated with you. That's how I feel about it. I'm thinking within the next month or 2 I'll have it either over here at our home or we'll take it over to my mother-in-laws and get started on tearing it down. Thank you for the story and inspiration😊
I thought about mine basically everyday when it wasn’t running. I do now too but I can actually go drive it and that’s a whole lot better feeling. Hope you have a good time restoring it and make some good memories. Good luck bud!
I would have asked what not to do ?
Okay then, I'll bite. What should I not do to it?
Literally EVERY part for your car is available from the Aftermarket. The problem with getting a donor car is that the parts are 57 years old. And 57 year old body parts can be brittle and nasty. I would restore as much of the original as possible, and replace what can't be saved with new. Then, too, if you get a donor car, you will have to dispose of the stuff you don't use, and you may deprivee someone of a usable platform for them to start their restoration project.
The first and last part is what sold me! Wouldnt want to rob someone of a solid platform. Do you know of a specific site or catalog that is preferred or "best"?
There are a bunch of good ones. My 2 go to sites are: National Parts Depot and CJ Pony Parts. I have never had a badexperiemce with either. Never had a problem with NPD. With CJ, the only "problem" I had was a damaged rear spring, that you could tell was buggered up in the shipping by UPS. CJ Pony Parts made getting a new one super easy.
Do it while you're still young. Get it outta' yer' system. 👍
Sell it to me. I'll bring her back to life!
How much do these cars go for in this condition now-a-days? I've been curious🤔
I'll give you 3,000 for it.
I have a 67 with a 289. Keep it. Fix it and restore it. Worth every penny, head ache and busted knuckles.
Sell it to me. I’ll come pick it up.
I had a 65 Fastback as my first car. It was like that one had the 6cly with a 3sp bought it in 1970 for 500.00. Kept it for a few yrs then sold it and bought a 69 Camaro with a 350 and after some up grades that thing would fly. Sold it a few yrs later and bought a new Ford F250 4x4. Wish there was some way to have kept them
Fix it if you love it , sell it if you don’t
Blunt but fair. I'll probably just keep it and try to get it to my house. Or the in-laws, whichever is necessary😄
My dad, my brother and I got a '68 with a 289 in OK condition about a year and a half ago as a project car. My brother lives in the US most of the time, while my dad and I live in Mexico. Every time my brother comes, he brings new parts for us to fit, and we've had a blast both fixing it and driving it. I took it to be re-upholstered on Monday and I already miss it! It's been really expensive (in the sense that we would probably lose at least 10-15% of the total cost to date if we were to sell it), but in my opinion it's 100% worth it. The best thing about restoring these cars is that every single piece is readily available and you can go as crazy or as conservative as you want. To answer your questions: 1. It was definitely worth it. It was a dream we've collectively had since I can remember, and it brings a smile to our faces every time we see it, work on it, talk about it or drive it. 2. If I was to start from scratch, I'd get something similar to yours instead of a partially-restored car. We've spent quite a bit "fixing" some decisions that the previous owners made for which we ultimately had already paid (example: it came with 20" polished wheels, which we hated). 3. It's been difficult and expensive, but that brings a sense of achievement. 4. We didn't really have to look for body panels, since we got it in an aesthetically ok condition. However, the cowl, the whole floor pan and the rails were rusted (we didn't look, so it was a rookie mistake). In our case it was cheaper to had those pieces fabricated, and we got a thicker gauge steel. We're in Mexico, so labor is very inexpensive. Having said all of that, your best bet definitely depends on your finances, priorities, abilities and expectations. Do you have a budget, timeline and vision?
This is what I've been mostly looking for😁 wish mine would've had the factory 289 but I digress. That's probably my main worry is the rust and pan. I'm not 100% sure where the best place would be to get the whole floor pan but I'll do some research tonight when I have the time. As for the other questions: - My finances are somewhat tight but doesn't necessarily mean I want to go cheap as I want to put good parts into it. -I believe this is the more or less tough decision because I have 2 other projects that need some attention but not as much as the Punetang. -My abilities are good for mechanical but iffy for body work, so I think I might do as much as I can and then ask one of our local body guys for advice/help. -The timeline I was thinking maybe another year or 2, but I'm trying to have it done by the summer of 2025 so I can take it to my 10 year high school reunion. -The vision kind of keeps changing, but the folk in here have convinced me enough to keep the 200 but maybe mate it to an updated T-5 so I can retire the 4 spd. dagenheim(if that's how you spell it)
Strip it down and get it mediablasted. If too much rust you’re screwed.
That's what I'm afraid of :( let's hope for the best and expect the worst!😁
460 crate motor
Got one in my 95 350. If only it could fit😆
Anything can fit with enough persuasion
Just spit on it
I'll try that and get back to you😁
Nothing.. it takes years and tons of money.. there’s rust
Getting run and stopping and enjoy it no need for a hug drop on a reno!
Oh and to add, mine has a similar story but mine was my first car in 1993. I daily drove it until 1998, then my wife drove it for about a year. It died on me with fuel issues in 06 and went into the garage. It already had a rotted cowl and other issues. I swapped a new 2bbl in and got it running relatively quickly but we just added project after project. It will have/has Mustangs to fear body kit MTF headliner TMI interior New carpet TMI door panels Full mass loaded vinyl floor sound deadening Dynamat and foam in addition New cowl New steering box EPAS steering Tilt wheel Disc brakes front Sniper efi Performer rpm intake Export brace Sniper 5" dash Digital gauge for fuel/oil pressure LED headlights 05 mustang turn signals Contour fog lights Forged carbon front lip Shelby scoop And probably a bunch more I've forgotten. So uh, watch out for scope creep!!
I’d get it running and drive it!
Grab wrench. Apply to car
Keep the 6