I give up!!

i would just buy tools as you go so you dont buy any tools you dont need. also, many auto parts stores rent out tools at almost no cost for as long as you need them. but if you dont have the basic tools to work on cars, you should buy them, and dont go cheap

That's how I started my '66 Coupe 5 years ago. I first removed all the interior and then started stripping the exterior of all trim and lights and the such. Then I decided to use stripper to get off the four previous paint jobs. Next I started to replace the rusted areas and do some repair. I left the glass in until it went to the body shop. Replaced engine and trans in the middle of body work and had the engine bay painted to match the rest of the car. I am now at the point of the final sand and painting this next couple of weeks. Interior is done, glass in, 5.0 and AOD in, wheels and tires in my garage. Waiting .............

As far as special tools, just start with a good set of mechanics tools. It is all american bolts and everything comes off easy. There are a couple of tools used to remove window trim and the such. See a body shop for exactly what you would need.

Get out the first aid kit as it will be needed. Get some good spray to pre lub/clean the bolts with. Spray them the day before you are going to work on things.

Then it is the credit card and the catalogs and don't look back.

Get some gloves too, latex ones and some hardiers ones for banging your hands in. I tell you there's nothing I hate more (well there's actually plenty I hate more, but it's a saying) than scrubbing my hands with washing powder after they're already battered and bruised from mechanicking. Latex stops that, on your hands at least.

Also if you're going to buy tools, buy good ones. Even hand spanners. They will be a better fit, harder to round nuts bolts and themselves with, and harder to break.

might look into getting a small air compressor and some air tools too.. makes things alot easier, they're ALWAYS handy.. 'specially to clean the dust out of places you cant reach..

shop vac too..

I just startd my 67 about 5 months ago, so it's still fresh in my minute brain...I bought an oil-less 33 gal. air compressor. Go bigger, and DON'T go oilless. Way too loud. Check Lowe's compressors. Buy quality air hoses and fittings. I'm not knocking SEARS, but I had TERRIBLE luck with their air tools, fittings, etc. You will want an air hammer, die gringer, cut off tool, air chuck, DA Sander, impact wrench w/ impact sockets, just to name a few. These helped out immensely! Save tons of time. Also be sure to get an inline filter and pressure regulator. MANDATORY! Get good wrenches and sockets (Sears worked great), PB BLaster or Break Free. 4 inch grinder w. cut off wheels, grind wheels, flap wheel, wire wheel for paint removal. For the undercoating, I used a hand held butane torch with a 1 inch steel scraper. Just heat up a small spot, and scrape it off. Very messy, but you need to do it to repaint. Buy about 4 boxes of ziploc baggies, and every time you take a part off, put the screw, nuts, etc, in a baggie, then label it for later identification. This helps a few years down the road when you're reassembling. Also, get eye and ear pro, ask well as dust masks. This is just a few of the things you will really want to make life a lot less difficult. Have fun, keep your chin up, just think of how it'll look when it's done...

I agree with the above posts: a nice thing to have with your air compressor is a table top blasting cabinet. Also a good sized parts washer. If you don't clean the parts before you put them in the bag, they will make your label inside unreadable. If you label the outside of the bag, it can wear off too. When buying wrenches and sockets, look for 6 point; they work the best on our cars. Boxes of disposable rags. I like the "Mechanix" gloves to protect your hands but latex or neoprene will be necessary also.