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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

May start a long term project on a 92 LX Vert...

  • Thread starter Thread starter 95.0Stang
  • Start date Start date Jul 27, 2010
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#1
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #1
Found a 92 LX Vert with some rear end damage for $1600. its the color me and my wife want already, it has a black working convertible top that lines up near perfect, 4 cyl auto. No apparent frame damage, but plan to take it to my body guy before I pull the trigger on it. everything works good as far as AC radio power options, brakes, seatbelts, and my 6 year old daughter approves and wants to help me work on it. I am sure I am looking at $3500 in body work to get it as perfect as I want it. Late Model Resto will be added to my favorites list on Mozilla. I just look at the car and see a ton of good and some bad and overall a great amount of potential. Even though it is a 4 cyl car and will be driven until I start the motor work I think the FIRST thing I will do is add Full length Subframe connectors as they really stiffen out the body on these Fox cars.

What do you guys think? This is possibly a long term car that may very well be passed to my daughter in 10 years if I buy it. Would you guys do it? Financially I know I am buying a money pit, and will never get 1/4 out of it I put into it if I ever had to sell it, but the low starting price seems like a good starting point.

Can't seem to find used or new convertible rear driver quarter panels anywhere though so that has me worried!

Any tips?

Jared
 
L

Lawbreaker5.0

Member
Feb 20, 2009
543
2
18
Texas
Jul 27, 2010
#2
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #2
You should be able to find the skins. My vert was t boned in the right rear quarter and had to be cut out and welded back in. As long as a body shop re insurers the frame is straight it should be fine. Although 1600 is a lot even for a mint 4 cyl. I paid 500 for my coupe. You might wanna pass. Covertibles aren't hat desirable and I'm sure you'll find a non wrecked for the same price. I would pass
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Jul 27, 2010
#3
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #3
I have done a 5.0 swap before and I felt I was literally spinning my wheels. If there is rear end damage, the unibody will make that a PITA to repair. I have had 3 verts as well. If the top lines up I would say the structural damage is minimal. Honestly I would pass on this one and just wait for that perfect 5.0 vert to pop up.

when I did my first one I bought the car for 300 dollars and all it needed was a new top and a dent or two popped out. Resourcing all my parts as I didnt have a donor car nickle and dimed me and I the swap itself took forever. If you do this it would be best to find a donor car on the cheap.
 

1987LXragtop

Member
Jan 26, 2008
837
3
18
Just outside Philly PA
Jul 27, 2010
#4
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #4
1600 is way too much for a 4 cyl auto with rear end damage. I bought mine non running for 200. Didnt have a fuel tank on it. Got it running with a tank and pump and realized I could never roll with a 4 cyl.
 

Cobra912

Active Member
May 1, 2005
1,777
11
39
Wish I was anywhere but here
Jul 27, 2010
#5
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #5
sounds like a good plan but I agree with teh above posters, that's too much for a damaged 4 cylinder. 5.0 would a better deal. But hey it's your cash, you decide
 

1987LXragtop

Member
Jan 26, 2008
837
3
18
Just outside Philly PA
Jul 27, 2010
#6
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #6
....as per the following example.
1988 mustang lx swap convertible
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Jul 27, 2010
#7
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #7
find an original 5.0 vert.
the vert market is weak so you can find them for much cheaper than it would cost to convert.
 
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#8
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #8
1987GTragtop said:
....as per the following example.
1988 mustang lx swap convertible
Click to expand...

craigs list in philly...I am in Kansas! seems like all the enthusiasts are 500+ miles away sometimes!
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Jul 27, 2010
#9
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #9
keep looking you will find some
 
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#10
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #10
found a couple hatchbacks on autotrader from 1595-2000...hatch is better than a vert in MY opinion but not my wives! here are a couple links. I requested more pics of both.

Cars for Sale: 1993 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback in Peoria, IL 61615: Hatchback Details - 280952970 - AutoTrader.com

Cars for Sale: 1991 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback in Moore, OK 73160: Hatchback Details - 281054937 - AutoTrader.com
 

1987LXragtop

Member
Jan 26, 2008
837
3
18
Just outside Philly PA
Jul 27, 2010
#11
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #11
95.0Stang said:
craigs list in philly...I am in Kansas! seems like all the enthusiasts are 500+ miles away sometimes!
Click to expand...



1990 Mustang Convertible

1987 Mustang Convertible **NICE**DAILY DRIVER**

1989 mustang convertible

1989 Ford Mustang Convertible

mustang convertible

1988 Mustang Convertible <--the hotness
 
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#12
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #12
1987GTragtop said:
1990 Mustang Convertible

1987 Mustang Convertible **NICE**DAILY DRIVER**

Contacted them

1989 mustang convertible

Contacted them

1989 Ford Mustang Convertible

Contacted them

mustang convertible

1988 Mustang Convertible <--the hotness
Click to expand...

thats just adorable...

my personal favorite so far...

1990 Mustang 5.0 5 speed

I guess they are out there I just completely forgot Craigs list.
 

1987LXragtop

Member
Jan 26, 2008
837
3
18
Just outside Philly PA
Jul 27, 2010
#13
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #13
clean hatch ...17 bills?....sold
 
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#14
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #14
went back and looked at the vert again, and decided to take it to my body shop. Just had a really bad feeling about a couple things, sure enough, the rear bumper had been replaced and they had done a great job of matching up the paint, but UNDER the car the frame was bent, and rusted a bit the black convertible top plastic piece had broke off and a screw was starting to wear into the top, my body guy estimated that it would be about $2500 to put it on the fram machine and get it all back to gether right and put a used quarter on it and paint it and fix the convertible stuff. so just to get it LOOKING nice all the way around would be:
$1650---for the car
$2500---for the needed repairs

$4150 for a great looking/running/driving 4banger convertible Mustang with who knows what other issues BEFORE I start really digging in and doing the stuff I want to do to it... NO GO!

Still looking around though

Jared
 

Cobra912

Active Member
May 1, 2005
1,777
11
39
Wish I was anywhere but here
Jul 27, 2010
#15
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #15
good man you made the right decision. sometimes patience will reap rewards
 
9

95.0Stang

Member
Feb 20, 2003
538
1
18
Kansas
Jul 27, 2010
#16
  • Jul 27, 2010
  • #16
The Army taught me to "hurry up and wait"...sometimes I am better at that than others. This time I am glad I held off.
 
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