should i buy an old mustang?

[DrumminBoy]

I noticed an ad in the local classifieds for a 66 Mustang Hardtop the other day, and im starting to really like the idea of driving a vintage mustang. (hey, im 16 ) The only thing is, the guy says its "mid-restoration", and i didnt expect it to be even close to a perfect car for the price ($2,850), but im not really a car person or a "motorhead". I dont mind getting dirty and working on things, but my dad's afraid the car would nickel and dime me to death since i dont have a very good knowledge of cars. If i had it, i would try to fix what i could myself while driving it, and also have some work done professionally as tiem goes on. BTW, Its a 289 V8, 3 on the floor, with a brand new 600 cfm 4bbl edelbrock carb. Well, what do you think i should do?

 

[spanky]

if u have the $$$....sure, why not

 

[chickendinner]

If that is what you are into, yes.

 

[Ronstang]

My first car when I was 16 was a '66 Mustang Hardtop...I have owned at least one ever since. These cars are rather simple to work on and if you approach it as a learning expereince that is also fun you really can't go wrong, just make sure the body isn't rusted to hell or worse the rust has just been covered up.

 

[Ju1cyJ]

I really don't think you should for two reasons.

1) It is in mid-restoration BECAUSE restoration nickel and dimes you to death, all those carpets, fittings, buttons, add up to thousands of dollars.

2) It is a 289... it has potential, if you were a motorhead, i may have told u to go for it. Because then when you took out the engine to cam it, or whatever, you could have also bored it out to 327 or 350, then you could make some real power.

P.S. wtf is that guy thinking with a 600 cfm four barrel on a 289???? At max efficiency he prolly only needs 400 cfm, although edlebrock don't flow as well as holleys.... or webbers .

 

[Maleficus]

if it requires work, make sure you can get someone reliable, competent & trustworthy to work on it. The worse thing in the world is owning one of these cars and having it sit and not be able to do anything about it because it isnt being worked on as much as it should and even when it is, not much gets done.

They are nice cars though.

<---bitter that after having his 65 mustang over 7 months that it is still not ready and prolly wont be for a long time.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

If you want some advice from someone who's got some serious experience on cars like that (vintage mustangs, more specifically), look up an Anandtech Forums member named SKYKING.

Other than that, your dad is right. A vintage mustang that's "mid-restoration" will most likely nickel-and-dime you to death.

nik (drummer, mustang afficionaddo, and all around nice guy )

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: Maleficus
if it requires work, make sure you can get someone reliable, competent & trustworthy to work on it. The worse thing in the world is owning one of these cars and having it sit and not be able to do anything about it because it isnt being worked on as much as it should and even when it is, not much gets done. They are nice cars though. <---bitter that after having his 65 mustang over 7 months that it is still not ready and prolly wont be for a long time.

The rubber seals on a Mustang are known for drying out prematurely if you just let it sit for months and months and months. That's another thing to worry about.

nik

 

[DrumminBoy]

The car did sit for a few months...24 to be exact. The people the guy bought it from had the engine rebuilt, drove it for 10k miles, then put it in storage for 2 years. 10k on a rebuilt engine sounds pretty good, but the guy says the valve seats are bad and it blows smoke out one side of the exhaust...doesnt sound good to me. I think im just gonna have to pass on this one, i'd be biting off more than i could chew. btw cobalt, how is your mustang deal coming?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
I noticed an ad in the local classifieds for a 66 Mustang Hardtop the other day, and im starting to really like the idea of driving a vintage mustang. (hey, im 16 ) The only thing is, the guy says its "mid-restoration", and i didnt expect it to be even close to a perfect car for the price ($2,850), but im not really a car person or a "motorhead". I dont mind getting dirty and working on things, but my dad's afraid the car would nickel and dime me to death since i dont have a very good knowledge of cars. If i had it, i would try to fix what i could myself while driving it, and also have some work done professionally as tiem goes on. BTW, Its a 289 V8, 3 on the floor, with a brand new 600 cfm 4bbl edelbrock carb. Well, what do you think i should do?

Based upon this I can heartly recommend against you buying it.