The one thing you would have done different.

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ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

4,818

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69

BC Canada

Aug 13, 2004

#1

• Aug 13, 2004

• #1

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.

 

69PaleHorse

Member

Feb 3, 2004

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16

Ventura County, CA

Aug 13, 2004

#2

• Aug 13, 2004

• #2

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.

 

O

Ozsum2

New Member

Jul 28, 2004

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Aug 13, 2004

#3

• Aug 13, 2004

• #3

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.

 

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ssppiitt

New Member

Apr 8, 2003

206

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Mountain View, Ca.

Aug 13, 2004

#4

• Aug 13, 2004

• #4

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.

 

66 BLAKE 96

Native Texican

Founding Member

Feb 16, 2001

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Cowtown

Aug 13, 2004

#5

• Aug 13, 2004

• #5

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.

 

cardude

Founding Member

Apr 20, 2000

221

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0

Portland, OR

Aug 13, 2004

#6

• Aug 13, 2004

• #6

LOL ..... ummmm all of the above

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 I was not so fortunate..

 

1

10secgoal

Active Member

Dec 1, 2003

2,801

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49

San Diego

Aug 13, 2004

#7

• Aug 13, 2004

• #7

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

 

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gp001

Founding Member

Jun 30, 2001

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66

So. Cal.

Aug 13, 2004

#8

• Aug 13, 2004

• #8

Ozsum2 said:

I did OK with the cosmetics. I guess age and experience gaave me that.

Click to expand...

 

1

10secgoal

Active Member

Dec 1, 2003

2,801

3

49

San Diego

Aug 13, 2004

#9

• Aug 13, 2004

• #9

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.

 

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Red66GT

New Member

Jul 14, 2003

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Simi Valley, CA

Aug 13, 2004

#10

• Aug 13, 2004

• #10

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.

 

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65straightsick

New Member

Jun 4, 2004

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Montgomery, AL

Aug 13, 2004

#11

• Aug 13, 2004

• #11

I am barely beginning to start. I haven't had too much time to f**k up. And if we wanted to get all technical...ssppiitt, it would be a I6 to V8 change, Last I checked the early mustang didn't have a V6.

 

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D.Hearne

New Member

Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Aug 13, 2004

#12

• Aug 13, 2004

• #12

The one thing I would do, is I would NEVER have sold my 67-427 powered fastback Stang. Especially knowing what I know now and not knowing then

 

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vrooom

New Member

Apr 17, 2003

139

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0

Midwest

Aug 13, 2004

#13

• Aug 13, 2004

• #13

I wish I would have bought my fastback when I was in high school when I actually had time to work on cars. The back seat could have come in handy too.

 

D

D.Hearne

New Member

Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Aug 13, 2004

#14

• Aug 13, 2004

• #14

vrooom said:

I wish I would have bought my fastback when I was in high school when I actually had time to work on cars. The back seat could have come in handy too.

Click to expand...

There were back seats in fastbacks ?

 

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Ronstang

New Member

Apr 4, 2004

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Houston Texas

Aug 13, 2004

#15

• Aug 13, 2004

• #15

D.Hearne said:

There were back seats in fastbacks ?

Click to expand...

He must be a midget....the only successful episode in the Shelby took place in the front seat.

 

V

vrooom

New Member

Apr 17, 2003

139

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0

Midwest

Aug 13, 2004

#16

• Aug 13, 2004

• #16

D.Hearne said:

There were back seats in fastbacks ?

Click to expand...

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.



Do you like apples?

 

D

D.Hearne

New Member

Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Aug 14, 2004

#17

• Aug 14, 2004

• #17

Oh wait, that's what must have been under that carpeted rear deck in my 67 FB Always thought that was storage space.

 

88 Fox GT

Active Member

Nov 18, 2002

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Iowa

Aug 14, 2004

#18

• Aug 14, 2004

• #18

I would have never let my dad talking me into installing these 4 tail lights.

Hope to fix that problem soon.

 

MustangPaul

Founding Member

Jun 20, 2002

514

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0

South East Louisiana

Aug 14, 2004

#19

• Aug 14, 2004

• #19

I would have never converted from R-12 to 134a. 134 just doesn't cool as well.

As for the backseat of a fastback, the backseat of my coupe was almost useless, so I can't imagine the backseat of a f'back.

 

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67GTA-FB429

Member

Dec 15, 2003

777

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Tri-Cities, Wa

Aug 14, 2004

#20

• Aug 14, 2004

• #20

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".