A lot of good information here. My $0.02 worth. 1. Start with a plan, different parts for restomod versus concours restore. (You have a nice car but it's not one of the particularly valueable ones so I would lean to restomod. Sounds like you are also leaning that way.) 2. Full assessment of the car. Either hire a mechanic or befriend someone in a local mustang club. Here is a check sheet developed by one classic Mustang restorer http://www.karmustang.com/PREDELIVERY_INSPECTION_CHECKLIST.pdf Strangely this list doesn't mention RUST which is the most expensive thing to repair! Check cowl and lower portions of quarter panels, fenders and doors. Look in the drip rails over the windows, trunk drop downs, and around and under the battery tray. 3. Use the assessment and decide what you can fix yourself (which sounds like a lot with the help of Uncle Bondo Bob) and what you will have to pay someone to do. A factory service manual is pretty much a must have for this step (available from Mustang parts suppliers ~$45) 4. Get Mustang parts catalogs. You can download the NPD catalog in a pdf format that makes it handy to search ( http://www.npdlink.com ). Remember you can get a lot of parts at local stores, usually cheaper than Mustang places, so check before purchasing. Also check on the internet, especially for performance parts. 5. Make a time and dollar budget, then double it. 5. BIG decision - rolling restoration or body off. Rolling restoration - fix one system at a time and keep the car dirveable. Body off - strip the car and renew all systems as one major project (you need a lot of time and room for this one, and you wind up with a lot of large expenses with no driving time to enjoy the progress.) 6. For a rolling restoration think safety first repair structural rust (with unibody cars, the body is the structure, the previous owner of my car did a lot of mechanical work to one car only to find out it was a rust bucket and she had to start over with a different car) brakes and good tires suspension and steering electrical drivetrain, engine, transmission, and rear end paint and body work interior As you're doing each of these systems, you will face detailed questions, e.g. refurbish the stock brakes or upgrade. If you select upgrade - power with dual master cylinder with drums or disk/drum combo or disk/disk. If you repair the stock brakes then decide on disks, you are double spending money. As you do these systems, ask here for input.
I really appreciate the advice. I am actually going to spend a couple days this week assessing the car prior to my bringing it home. I believe once I have had a good opportunity to see exactly what I am dealing with it will help me decide the direction to head. I want to ensure that it actually rolls before getting a vehicle and trailer and then find that the tires won't hold air, that the brakes are seize or some other unconsidered issue. I have been talking it over with my wife(the car was her Grandfather's) and she would prefer to do a rolling restore as the car has already sat for 31 years. So it is likely that I will start with new tires, replacing seals in the transmission, draining the old fluids from the engine and replacing the spark plugs. I also plan of replacing the gas tank, there is supposed to be a new one in the trunk but what was new 5 years ago may not still be rust free. Bob's belief is that the car will start with just that but that the alternator may also have to be replaced. I would guess that there may be some hoses to replace as well. I know that there is rust on the rear quarter panels but barring any others I would guess that to be a major structural concern. I would also guess that after 31 years the brakes probably need changed as well.
Based on these tasks I have estimated a cost of less than $1000 to get the car running.
Is there anything else that I should look at from the stand point of just getting the car running and then doing the restoration from that point?
What ever number you come up with as a restomod, double it and you will be close... And by the way, you're 65 has a generator not a alternator. I believe alternators were not used till 66.
< Message edited by slickman -- 3/14/2006 3:25:04 PM >
Sandtiger - sounds like you have a plan. How long has it been since the car was driven? Gas can turn into varnish so in addition to the new tank, you should flush the fuel lines and a carb rebuild would be a good idea, then the fuel pump may be the weak link. You may want to remove the spark plugs and put a teaspoon full of automatic transmission fluid in each cylinder, there is probably some rust on the cylinder walls. Let it sit in there while you do other chores. I would try to turn the motor over manually before beating on it with the starter. I would replace everything that is rubber, flex brake lines, radiator hoses, fuel lines, you get the idea. Most auto parts stores will test the alternator for free. These cars also have a voltage regulator that can be problematic, if it's an issue modern electronic ones are available that are cheaper and do a better job than the original. Keep posting, but start a new thread on the results of your inspection.
Markstang, Not so much the cost of the parts as the shipping and duties on importing them from the USA. The labour i do mostly myself............... I havent even worked in the costs of duties.............only the USA prices of the parts and work i had to farm out.... but then if UNique can sell theirs for more than 170k US$ I reckon mine is still a good investment.
Am looking into bringing a 1970 (fastback?) back to life. Seen it sitting at a local dirt track (no its not setup for race) the car looks stock, just looks like its dying for help.
Am sure at a minimum an enginge rebuild, interior restore, and paint job wiould be in order. would want to make the restore a clean one.
Since I don't have the car as of yet, what would some of the costs be estimated?
It will not be moded. Would like to get it under control enough to make the follow ons affordable for the average driver.
The big costs will be applied in the areas I've posted.
Feel free to e-mail if interested in helping a stang driver reserect a cool car.
Posts: 2310
Joined: 3/25/2006 From: Where I lay my head is home Status: offline
So far, aprox 2k. Total estimate for complete build, $50,000 +/-. Another 48K to go! woo hoo!
I too am building mine to MY specs and will not be selling the car (made sure SWMBO knew this from day one and she has no problem with that). I'm changing out everything i can rip out of th ecar! In return, I promised the old lady I'd build her a car of her choice when possible and she told me she wanted her 93 Thunderbird back. I'm still trying to talk her into a 63 or 67 T-bird (cause the MN-12's suck, heavy as hell with a suspension not even fit for an aveo!) but she's dead set on that friggin 93!!.
Mine's a little over $9k so far. But, I figure another $5k for everything I want to do to it. The majority of that will be a new paint job. Anyone have any thoughts on Emberglow with white LeMans stripes on a 66 coupe?
I got my 66 for $1750, delivered on a trailer not running. I had no undercarriage issues other than what I consider general maintenance. New brakes, shocks, fluids, tranny filter, etc. Lubed everything, got the engine running and drivable...it stops too, a good thing! I've been stripping the body, digging deeper and deeper, finding more and more. Some good things. I see what's been done, what I need to do, and some pleasant surprises with condition once I got through the surface. Mine looked like it had been painted with "Dutch Boy and a roller! Anyway, no interior money spent, no paint yet (by the way, I am doing 100% of everything as I have the knowledge, time and family support.) I have the replacement body parts I need, panels, patches, etc. I have about $3600 in it so far (including purchase price) and thought I would get it done for about 5,000. Doubt it now, like everyone else has said. Do a 1.5 factor for the wife. If she staggers, tell her that is the most it will be and the things she wants are driving it up, but certainly well worth it. If you tell her 4K and at 5K she can't drive it, your uncle will have the car 3 hours away while you sit in divorce court! Just kidding, my point is it WILL take more than you think. Especially since you have not even touched it yet. The ride is fun if you like doing this kind of thing. Mine is purely a "toy" and I do not have to depend on it, have it done by a due date, and I am not easily discouraged when I take off paint inly to find some stupid 25 year old repair and 3700 pounds of bondo. Mine will be restored to original condition when finished. Not concourse, and not all NOS or original parts, but it will be a 100% new looking 1966 Mustang! Enjoy!!!
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66 Mustang Coupe w/289, Wimbledon White, Red Bench, C-4.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
Color by WEASEL Custom Paint and Graphics. colorbyweasel.com
I suggest you buy some books such as Mustang resoration guides and shop manuals. Also, peruse the FAQ section above for invaluable information. The 10K ball park figure will get you a decent body and interior restoration (5K) and for about 5K more you could upgade the brakes (1K)and suspension (1K) along with a decent restomod engine and tranny (3K). This all depends on you doing all the labor. So, tell the old lady you need 15K bux to restore your car, and to cut down on the food budget. Seriously, any budget regarding restoring these cars is always busted. It is the little things that add up that make you go over the budget. It sure is a fun hobby though. Good luck with it.
I agree with the figures above. I'm looking to spend no less than $20,000 on my car by the time it's finished. It'll probably be in the 24-26 thousand range. I'm also expecting this to take me 3-5 years before feeling good about bringing it to a mustang/classics show. Of course, I'm expecting to pay more than most because what you can find at a junk yard, I have to find in a catalog and have it shipped 2-day air to Hawaii, which ends up costing as much, if not more, than the part I'm buying.
as it sits now I have about 12K in it most of that you can't see brakes steering suspention ect. I figure it to total around 30K when I finially finish it and it will never be sold as long as I'm a live anyways.
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66 Fastback, 68 302, MSD with 6AL, 600 Holley, Grab-a-trac performance package, 6 banger to V8 converted
Posts: 6862
Joined: 10/10/2005 From: brunstank ga Status: online
since the last time this was up top im at 15000.00 i hope to come in around 18000.00$ for a completely restored and finished fastback with all the mods and the purchase of the car! i got to get a radiator, hoses, fuel pump and hoses, windsheild, ac kit, rear brakes, and seats and ill be finished i think hopefully
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Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Its always dependent on how good a car you start out with, but I would say easily 12k to do a decent restomod. I think the running total (theres always something more to add) for me is somewhere in the neighborhood of 18. As soon as your done with it make sure you call up hagerty or some sort of classic car insurer! All State neglected to tell me for the first year I had my 65 with them that if I were to total it I would only get 2500 for it!? what the #&$&&%*%!? hahahaha protect your butt!
I'm doing a 67 resto mod. Thought I could get it done for 12K. 12K is where I stopped counting. I think I'm up to about 16K. I'm hoping I can do it for 20K but realistically it will be more like 22 or 24. I'm not going to run the final numbers until I'm done. I don't want to start compromising now.
I am in the process of starting my '67 resto mod...how bad was your ride at the begining of your excursion? Where did most of your money fall into? I am assuming it was body work and the hours it took do repair body parts. 22k for a 67 is a bit much in my oppinion. I am hoping that you plan to keep the car in your family, you wont get close to what you put into it if you expect to sell it.
man u guys are BALLERS most of u have put more than 20k do u think u will see that back if u ever decide to sell??, im praying for only 5k paint brakes floor and misc stuff
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RE: Cost of Restoring your Mustang - 
Seriously, any budget regarding restoring these cars is always busted. It is the little things that add up that make you go over the budget. It sure is a fun hobby though. Good luck with it. 
) for me is somewhere in the neighborhood of 18. As soon as your done with it make sure you call up hagerty or some sort of classic car insurer! All State neglected to tell me for the first year I had my 65 with them that if I were to total it I would only get 2500 for it!? what the #&$&&%*%!? hahahaha protect your butt!
