The one thing you would have done different.

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
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BC Canada
This is always a good one for the newbies, and I don't think it's been done for a while.

List the 1 biggest thing you would do differently if you were to purchase/restore your mustang all over again.

For me, it would have to be that I would start with a car that had less rust damage. The car had a brand new engine/tranny...that's all I saw. Little did I know that rust repair would cost me more time and money than an engine or tranny ever would. I ended up having to pull the engine to fix rusted out shock towers anyway. Plus I also ended up tearing down the engine and rebuilding it to how I wanted.
 
When I was looking I had my heart set on a 67 or 68 fastback. I saw so many that were way overpriced, but found an elderly couplewanting to sell their Acapulco blue fastback for $5K. I test drove it, gave it a quick lookover and told them that I was interested and wanted to schedule a mechanic for an inspection.

Well, I went home, scheduled the mechanic and when I called the people back they had already sold the car. Serves me right for not leaving a deposit I guess.

Other than that, I think I would have spent more money in the rebuild for more performance now, and I likely would have done the Shelby drop before I cut my coils.
 
I did OK with the cosmetics. I guess age and experience gaave me that. The only thing I should have done was go with my first true Mustang love which is a 69 Fastback. I never got the first one completely out of my system.
 
I am still in the process of doing a I6 to V8 conversion. I think before it has become what it has I would have bought a V8 and just fixed it up. But now because of the conversion my car is going to kick ass due to all the new parts I had to replace and you know you just have to replace them with the top of the line parts.

Also when I was putting the engine and tranny in, one of the bolts that the sling was attached to snapped and tore off the bolt hole on the top of the transmission. I never took the broken bolt out of the engine.

So having said that I would have bought a stronger bolt.
 
I would have done the Shelby drop when I rebuilt my suspension and done more research so I'd know that 5 leaf rear springs with the standard eye make the car ride too hight. It'd be better to have the correct spring instead of using lowering blocks.
 
LOL ..... ummmm all of the above :lol:

a) I guess mine would be dig deep and hard for rust and dont leave until it passes the water hose test.

b) dont bite off more than you can chew at a time to change / dont try to change everything all at once = frustration and disapointment. if this happens walk away for a while and come back with a plan.

c) better to buy something close to what you really want than to buy something really far away from what you want and try to change it.

*** Note everything above can be fixed with money so if that is not a problem disregard these items :banana: I was not so fortunate..
 
I started with a rust free body. So I am lucky. If I had it to different, I would not go the drag racing route. It's so expensive and even worse, it's very addictive. I don't know if my car will ever get done. I haven't done any restoring. I just replace the parts when I have too, and nothing to make it look good. It has a cowl and rims, because that is what I needed to race. Other than that is is fugly as hell
 
I know it's only supposed to be one.. but I made the mistake on my first one of taking everything apart at once. It's very discouraging to walk out in the garage and see it in pieces for ever, not knowing when it will run again. Do a little at a time. It's best to be able to drive and enjoy at the same time of restoration.
 
As much as I love my 66 GT coupe I'd get a Fastback. I see too many coupes around and barely any Fastbacks, always nice to have something barely anyone else does. Aside from that, they're about the baddest looking car out there, especially w/ a cowl induction or bump hood, really nice lines from the sideview.

On a side note, you don't see too many real good looking coupes around, I've only seen 2 that looked better than mine, and when they have a real nice paint job AND 17" chrome American Racing Torque Thrust II's they can almost look just as kool.

At this point I'm in too much luv w/ my car and want one of the baddest coupes out there, so no selling it to get a Fastback for me. Just more $$$ in the coupe.
 
D.Hearne said:
:shrug: There were back seats in fastbacks ? :shrug: :D

There is totally a back seat in the fastback. Yes the seat isn't the largestl, but the front seats can fold forward and when you are dating someone in gymnastics....(use imagination here) anything is possible. ;)

:nice:

Do you like apples?
 
I would have converted to a 427/428 FE instead of a 429. There is a little extra room there. Or used hydrualic lifters instead of solids.

As for the fastback seat...it make a nice hiding place for a case of your favorite amber brain fluid, and the top part leave plenty of room for "star watching". :D