Newbie (please be nice!) has a few questions...

[Escondido]

I'm lucky enough to have the time, tools and space to restore a car - and I think I'm settling on a vintage convertable mustang. I'm drawn to the '69 since from what I've seen, the prices are more reasonable than the 65-68, yet the look is still cool... But I'm pretty mustang ignorant (I did have an '88 GT ragtop for a while - does that count??!) - - If you can recommend some reading - as in a good published book that would outline the changes, year to year, that'd be great. Also, if there is a reason to avoid a certain year / model combo, that'd be helpful too. And yes, I want a V8, and of course the biggah the bettah. I'm not a full-on vintage guy, I want a cool daily driver that I can take the local car-cruise and show off...

Thanks much!

Harry in sunny Escondido

 

[dolfan87]

I'm lucky enough to have the time, tools and space to restore a car - and I think I'm settling on a vintage convertable mustang. I'm drawn to the '69 since from what I've seen, the prices are more reasonable than the 65-68, yet the look is still cool... But I'm pretty mustang ignorant (I did have an '88 GT ragtop for a while - does that count??!) - - If you can recommend some reading - as in a good published book that would outline the changes, year to year, that'd be great. Also, if there is a reason to avoid a certain year / model combo, that'd be helpful too. And yes, I want a V8, and of course the biggah the bettah. I'm not a full-on vintage guy, I want a cool daily driver that I can take the local car-cruise and show off...

Thanks much!

Harry in sunny Escondido

There really aren't any models to avoid. What you need to avoid is rust. When you are looking at a possible purchase, bring a large bucket, and pour water into the cowl vents (vent located right in front of the windshield), if after you do this, you find that the carpet is wet...walk away.

Bring a jack, and a screw driver. Poke at the frame rails, floor boards, trunk area, everywhere.

Look at the bottom edges of the doors, check for bubbling paint. The tire wells at on the inside, usually at the bottom is a very common spot for rust.

Be smart, and shop for the most solid car you can find...don't get caught up in the "it's so pretty" syndrome. A Mustang with a pretty paint job, and rust underneath is going to cost you more in the long run than a primered car with no rust.

69's are a lot harder to get parts for than the 65-68 cars, so keep that in mind.

Check many of the Mustang vendors for books. Mustangs Unlimited, California Mustang, National Parts Depot...all good vendors.

Good luck.

87

 

[65fastback2+2]

A good book:

Mustang Recognition Guide by the Editor's of Mustang Monthly

It covers 1965 (64 1/2) Through 1973

IMO (in my opinion) if I was gonna spend my time on a car, itd be a 65 vert. 65-66 has to be one of the easiest cars to get parts for.

 

[geegee]

IMO, order of difficulty from least to most...

'65, '66, '64.5, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73

This is due to parts availability and simplicity of construction. Why not '64.5 first? Engine is different (five bolt bell), 4 speed is BW not Toploader, car has parts specific to dc electrical system (generator), sheet metal does not come in '64.5 specific moldings. On the opposite end of the scale, later models are more complex with more accessories to restore. Some pieces get impossible to find.

If this is your first restoration, stick to '65/'66 and you'll be a lot better off. They are worth more restored giving you more budgetary margin to work with. '69's are beautiful cars but somewhat expensive to restore. A complete "1" restoration of a '69 is likely to cost upwards of $35K even if you do most of the labor yourself. Doing it yourself brings more satisfaction and you get the car the way you dream it could be. At the low end of the scale expect to spend $25K. Remember its almost always cheaper to buy a restored car than to do one yourself.

 

[burg65]

A good book:

Mustang Recognition Guide by the Editor's of Mustang Monthly

.

Very good book I have this one as well!

 

[mustang70]

There's a couple of us in your area. Streetgrande69 and I are both in San Diego. Well, I will be next week at least. If you need someone to go with you, don't be afraid to ask. I'm not the most knowledgable, but I don't mind helping.

 

[Escondido]

hmmm -

thanks for the info - -I'm just in the data gathering stage at this point, so it helps...

So parts are a bit more problematic for the '69+ years? You think that's because of the popularity of restoring the older 'stangs? Any by 'parts', you mean all parts, or just sheet metal & interior fittings? If I'm not going 100% authentic vintage, on would think that'd make things a bit easier...

Regarding the locals - let me know if any of you will be at Cruisin' Grand in Escondido Friday - - I'd love to hook up and chat.

thanks

Harry

 

[65fastback2+2]

the 69+ years are the more rare of classic stangs. More stangs were sold from 65-68 then 69-73. Thus supply and demand the 65-68 are easier to get parts for.

 

[Pakrat]

Another good book that I personally like is the Illustrated Mustang Buyers Guide. It gives a lot of statistics as well as pictures and info on all model years.

Take it from someone who owns a 69' convertible, yes the parts are significantly more expensive particularly for the convertible only parts (they only made around 14,000 of them and maybe 1/2 to 3/4 are on the road today) but it is also more rewarding. For extreme cases check the cost of say a new dash or the pillar and convertible top weather strip, double to triple easily. Another benefit is that you almost never see another one though. I run acrosss 65-68 verts all the time, but I have never been at a show next to another 69' to date. I don't think I have even seen another up close though I did know someone who owned one.

If you go this way still I'll help you with any specifics or detail pictures I can, good luck.

 

[65fastback2+2]

yeah 69 verts are sweet looking, i have nothing against em on that

 

[mustang70]

Regarding the locals - let me know if any of you will be at Cruisin' Grand in Escondido Friday - - I'd love to hook up and chat.

thanks

Harry

I totally forgot about that. After I get back we'll have to work something out. As for the parts availability, I can vouch for the lack of them for the 69 and 70's. But I love the body styles.

 

[Sicarius428]

I bought my 70 a few years ago and it is expensive and hard to find parts. If you are looking for something that has the possibility to have a budget I say get a 67-68 is a good choice but if you really like the look of the 69, get it. I really like my 70 and I would not have anything else in its place and I don't regret it at all. All the mustangs of that era have the same issues because they are all really similar but really get one with a good body whatever you do. Drivetrain work is relatively cheap compared to what body work and paint will cost you in the long run.
Kevin