Newbie Seeking Advice

Joel in KC

New Member
Jan 13, 2004
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New to the forum. I thought you folks could fill me in on some basic issues regarding a 1967 Mustang.

The car is owned by some friends. They are elderly now, but bought the car new. It is a 6 cylinder coupe and has about 30,000 on it. It was her car and has air conditioning and automatic transmission. It is gold with a black vinyl roof, and has the stock wheels and wheel covers. It has been driven once every week or so for the last 20 years for just a few miles. As you would expect, it is, to the untrained eye, in mint condition. It has never been stored outside -- always covered in their garage. They kept the car with the idea of giving to their granddaughter. Well, she doesn't want it. Kids!

They would like to sell the car, but don't really know what it is worth. The offers they've gotten (in the $5,000 range) don't motivate them to sell. While I'm no expert, I've told them that the "problem" is that it isn't a 8 cylinder, a fastback or convertible, etc. They would just as soon continue to keep it covered in their garage for the amounts they've been offered, but it is finally dawning on them that they need to do something with it as they have no heirs who are interested in it.

Anyway, a few questions:

1) What is the car worth? It is in the Kansas City, Missouri area. I know I didn't give you all the details, but some ideas as to a range would be appreciated. If there is a specific feature that I've not told you about that is critical, let me know and I'll find out.

2) Is there any point in keeping it longer? Some reason it will be worth significantly more in, say, the next 5 years?

3) Are there any modifications that would significantly raise the value? For example, would putting a non-numbers-matching V8 in make it worth more than the cost of the mod? Different wheels and tires?

Thank you in advance.
 
5-6,000 is about right value wise. if the car is pretty much all original i wouldnt change a thing. try logging on to hemmings.com and see if you can get an idea of what the car would be worth.
 
Does it have any rust? Could you maybe post some pictures? I agree that with it being almost completely original, I wouldn't change anything. And I don't think putting a v8 in it will help increase the price enough to be worth the effort.

Have you ever hear of Happy Days Dream Cars in Warrensburg (on hwy 50 about 50 mile east of KC)? If the car is really pristine, they might consider buying it. You could also try Ebay and Classic Car Trader.

My personal opinion is that with it being in the mid west and if it is a rust-free car, it's worth a little more than $5000 (maybe around $6000 - $7000).

-Chelle
 
Sounds like an awfully good, unmolested car to be slapping a V8 in it. IMO, this car is worth keeping original. Depending on the condition, I'd call it a 5-8K car simply because it is a 30K mile survivor. Maybe more if you find the right buyer.
 
Thanks, all

Keep it coming.

t-chelle, great idea about Happy Dayz. We drive by there most weekends on our way to the Lake. I'll give that a try.

No rust, by the way.

I'm kind of glad to hear no one has yet advocated a violent makeover. The car doesn't seem to deserve that.
 
A V-8 conversion is NOT a cost-effective way to raise the car's value. "Numbers-matching" is largely mis-understood and is more significant for GM products.

If it is a mint-original to the untrained eye, have the car evaluated buy a Mustang authority. A good six cylinder is a fine car to the right person. To optimize the car's value, you may have to do some avertizing beyond your willingness to make the effort. If you are operating from word of mouth offers alone, you are likely attracting only offers from people on a "fishing" expedition. Regional and possibly national exposure may be warranted.

Offers are offen taken entirely too seriously UNLESS they come from qualified and serious potential buyers. I've had "offers" to trade my car (see avatar) for brand-new Mustang ragtops. I will quickly accept such an offer and watch the proposer backpedal and retract. This is FUNNY and it happens all the time.

Your situation is NOT moviated by time-contraints. Use this advantage to seek the right buyer. Beware of "looky Lou" types and remember the adage: "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride".
 
Yeah, I would also consider looking into the receipts if any and list every item possible that has had to been replaced. If you are lucky it may be only things like mufflers, tires, batteries and normal wear and tear items, if the car is still original paint it may be worth entering into a local show at the unrestored driver level. A trophy helps justify higher asking prices on occasion. It certainly would not hurt to pay the small amount for a professional appraisal either. Items like this are emotional and hard to lock into a specific price range, but happening on to the right buyer at the right time can yield a nice profit. The variation between someone who has been searching for some time for a car exactly like you have vs. someone with a few grand in their pocket looking for almost anything is worlds apart. There are many ways to post ads for free on the internet to reach the biggest Mustang audience possible, I believe also that Hemmings though not cheap will post your car until it sells or something like that. Using buzz words like original owner, rust free, low miles, original paint etc, will certainly wet appetites more. I personally found my car online and went to Missouri to check out and buy it way back when and shipped it to Boston simply because it was the right one for me and I liked the guy selling it.

Here is a VERY GENERAL price guide for you to consider, but if you have ever watched a Barrett Jackson auction you know that pricing is the most subjective thing about this hobby.

Low Retail Value: $3,915
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is".
Note: This value does not represent a "parts car".


Average Retail Value: $7,605
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A "20-footer".

High Retail Value: $11,610
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition.
Note: This value does not represent a "100 Point" or "# 1" vehicle *.
 
One other place to look into is Mustang Plus (not to be confused with Mustangs Plus) on Independence ave. They're not one of my favorite businesses nor do I like that part of KC, but they would probably let you put an ad up on their bulletin board. Or I'm pretty sure they buy mustangs too.

-Chelle
 
I was going to say $10,000+ was reasonable assuming no rust and good condition, particularly if the 30,000 miles can be documented (through maintenance records like oil changes) to prove it is not 130,000. As serious as I am about restomodding I would not molest a low mileage survivor in ANY way at all. My car had over 200,000 miles on the chassis and the block/paint/interior was not original when I got it in the mid '80s.