66 Mustang, worth $2000?

[Evilfox]

1966 MUSTANG

I went out and took a look at this stang. I honestly don't think it's worth 2 grand. Couple things about the car that are not listed in the ad. Windows all have primer overspray on them, brake line has a loose connection or cracked line. 289 in doesn't run. C4 transmission is pretty much in shambles. Rear tires are flat + bald. Front grill is actually a falcon grill riveted on

Front Windshield has gasket maker in the gaps. Registration is ~4 months overdue, plates are missing. Interior was poorly redone. Headliner is not installed, and carpet has tear and lumps in various places. Also looks like there is some potential rust in all the usual areas that has been plastered over with bondo. 19 year old kid who is selling it did the body work himself and it's very poorly done, lumpy, pin holes, etc. The only real plus to the car is that it's together...barely. =(

Just looking for some more opinions on the car.

 

[rbohm]

if the body is rust free, and the car is complete, then i say pay the $2k and fix the car right.

 

[StangDreamin']

When I looked at the ad...... forgive me, but immediately my mind heard Rush Limbaugh saying "...for those of you in Rio Linda..."; and that is the case here.
'66 Mustangs are kinda like "the forgotten". They weren't the original 64-1/2's - 65's, they weren't the more "hawt" '67-68's; they just "were there" - so they don't have the respect of Stang's both older and newer than them, which makes them more or less rare compared to the others these days. But not everybody looks at them in this manner. Add in the fact that this one is a coupe, not the "2+2" (fastback); and, well....

I'm one of those guys that thinks any Mustang is worth keeping alive... but it really depends upon your desire, skills, and checkbook! If everything you "see" is a problem (and then you add in everything you can't see); you could very reasonably find yourself adding another zero to the total cost of putting this particular car back in good shape. Plus, you're looking at a lot of labor-intensive time spent on doing this stuff.

If you've got the patience to take on what will be a long-term project; this would be the car for you. Otherwise, you might want to keep looking.
Do a search for the work 65stanger is putting into "Sally"; and know that he doesn't have as much work to do as you're fearing with this car.
On the other hand, at least '65-'66 Mustang's with 289/302's have a reliable repro parts train; unlike the cause of the whining you'll hear out of me when I start working on Catrin, my '73 Cougar in March of next year.

 

[65stanger]

Hard to tell from those pictures, but........

IF most / all the parts are there......

IF the undercarraige is solid........

IF the rust is ONLY surface rust.........

IF the body is realtively sound.......

Then yes, $2K is a reasonable price.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Seems to me people are always asking the, "Is this half arsed POS incomplete project car worth $$$$ ?" question, and honestly I'm not even sure what it means. Let's face it, if he gave it to you for free, it wouldn't be "worth it", unless you own your own body / repair shop. It's not like you're going to pull a profit out of this thing. Go with your gut, not your imagination of what it could be after 3 years and $20,000.

 

[SadbutTrue]

When I looked at the ad...... forgive me, but immediately my mind heard Rush Limbaugh saying "...for those of you in Rio Linda..."; and that is the case here.
'66 Mustangs are kinda like "the forgotten". They weren't the original 64-1/2's - 65's, they weren't the more "hawt" '67-68's; they just "were there" - so they don't have the respect of Stang's both older and newer than them, which makes them more or less rare compared to the others these days. But not everybody looks at them in this manner. Add in the fact that this one is a coupe, not the "2+2" (fastback); and, well....

I'm one of those guys that thinks any Mustang is worth keeping alive... but it really depends upon your desire, skills, and checkbook! If everything you "see" is a problem (and then you add in everything you can't see); you could very reasonably find yourself adding another zero to the total cost of putting this particular car back in good shape. Plus, you're looking at a lot of labor-intensive time spent on doing this stuff.

If you've got the patience to take on what will be a long-term project; this would be the car for you. Otherwise, you might want to keep looking.
Do a search for the work 65stanger is putting into "Sally"; and know that he doesn't have as much work to do as you're fearing with this car.
On the other hand, at least '65-'66 Mustang's with 289/302's have a reliable repro parts train; unlike the cause of the whining you'll hear out of me when I start working on Catrin, my '73 Cougar in March of next year.

That and there are more 66's than damn near any classic car out there, except probably some years of VW Beetle.

 

[65stanger]

I meant that IF he was looking for a classic Mustang, and didn't mind doing the work himself, that then it might be worth it.
I didn't buy my '65 for what it "might" be worth when I was done, I bought it because I love Mustangs.
Why else would an otherwise (supposedly) sane person would do TWO complete restorations?

 

[SadbutTrue]

but yeah, if the frame is straight, title is clear and there is no rust... its worth 2k, regardless of the shape the rest of the car is in. Most of that stuff will be replaced during a resto anyway, so even if it looked managable now it'd probably be just as likely to be replaced.

if you're up for the project and it meets those 3 conditions, offer 1500 and report back.

if it has a little rust, has been in an accident or two, etc... then you might need to bring pics/more information to determine whether its worth the trouble. sometimes you can get quite a bit of car for 1500, but in general $2000 isn't going to buy a very nice classic mustang.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I guess my only gripe is with the "worth it" question, which implies a monetary value. Surely it has a value in comparison to the price and availability of all the other 66 Coupes available out there. If you're looking at this one because it's all you can afford, then it isn't worth anything to you, as it certainly isn't going to appreciate in value as it rots in your driveway.

(I must be getting old and cynical, but it needs to be said.)

 

[izzy jr]

IF you have the $2k in cash go offer $1200-$1400 with cash in hand and see if you get it. Cash in hand always speaks louder than words.

 

[hipo_p51]

if you are honestly looking for a 65-6 coupe. there are 100's of choices out there, i think someone already said this, but what the he!!. i would be looking for one with ZERO rust. by looking at the pictures, it looks to me this car is a real rusty car. the primer must have been put on to hide it a bit. if it were solid, who care what color or colors the car is. aside from repairing rust, everything else on this car is easy to fix. rust repair, assuming you have someone else do the work costs a lot of f'n $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. spend the extra cash on a rust free car, running or not. thats what i did.

 

[enferno]

i live in sac. if you want i can come out with ya and take a look at it and give you some advice.

 

[aks801]

...'66 Mustangs are kinda like "the forgotten". They weren't the original 64-1/2's - 65's, they weren't the more "hawt" '67-68's; they just "were there" - so they don't have the respect of Stang's both older and newer than them, which makes them more or less rare compared to the others these days. But not everybody looks at them in this manner. Add in the fact that this one is a coupe, not the "2+2" (fastback); and, well....

Purely subjective, but I've always preferred the '66 over the 64.5 and the '65. I base that on: no side trim; round speedo; cleaner front grille.

 

[65stanger]

'66s came with side trim too, and you could get the "round" speedo on the '65s as well.
Body styles are the same.....there really is NO difference between the '65 and '66. There were a few minor differences in the '64 1/2.............

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I got my '68 about four years ago for $1900. The junk 289 and C4 came with, but were out of the car, the body had some mediocre Bondo spots, but no rust to speak of and it was mostly complete and original. The paint was oxidizing Maaco/Earl Shiebe junk, the vinyl roof was falling off, and it had been sitting in the desert for at least seven years.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/65ShelbyClone/Public/100_0719.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/65ShelbyClone/Public/100_0741.jpg

In contrast, it was a better price than the '65 notchback I had prior. It also cost about $2000, but the paint was 10 different colors, it had been hit and poorly repaired behind the passenger door, and the 289 wasn't in very good shape. The original seats were gone and the dash had been painted orange. I think it was really an unfinished highschooler project. That thing cost a pile of money to get sorted out and it stranded me on the road about four times. The upside was that it was a 4-speed disc brake car.

I personally wouldn't go near a Mustang that needs rust repair for $2000.