Hello. As you can see by my # of posts I'm new here.

One day back in April of this year I was watching TV when my dad announced he had just bought a great condition 1965 Mustang GT for $1500 from a guy who had one in Florida (we live in TN). I couldn't believe it. After years of living in economical, cheap as possible, unrespectable, transportation under my father's rule this seemed very odd. Furthermore, I didn't believe that the Mustang wasn't in "great condition" (my dad purchased it without even seeing proof his friend had it) and I had big fears my pop's new friend might take the money and run. After all he had little to nothing keeping him in TN. Fortunately the Mustang did exist, the previous owner didn't cheat us and my family became the proud owner of a classic.

Of course for $1500 the Mustang wasn't in great condition. In fact the firewall, floor panels, and back panels have rusted out and been removed (before we bought it). The floor panels have been partially welded in by the previous owner but done so incorrectly. They are up too high and too far back and so will have to be "unwelded". My question is what should I, well my dad, expect to pay to have the all the panels and seat mounts installed by a body shop.

In true do it yourself fashion my father and I would like very much to do it ourselves but we don't have any welding experience. I have seriously considered buying a welding book and learn to weld but I'm unsure if I could really learn to weld from a book. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Your doomed!!! No, just kidding. Here's a little tip: INSPECT THOROUGHLY BEFORE PERCHASE! Of course, I'm sure you know that. </P>


Getting the weld job done to the magnitude you say will cost a serious amount. Without a firewall, cowls, etc ... that's going to set you back on just that alone, not to mention welding it in, etc ...</P>


If you father is truly serious about restoring a Mustang, he might want to find a second car that is better condition (the body is bare essentials is all there!) and use the first car as a potential parts car as needed. </P>


Hopes this helps!</P>


<IMG src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0"></P>

Thanks for the reply. Further investigation of our Mustang has found even more rust spots. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley11.gif border="0"> I don't even think I could get replacement pieces for some of those things. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0">It's had a hard life for sure.We also went ahead and bought a welder so it looks like we'll be doing it ourselves. My dad did find about 10 feet of sheet metal that is about the same thickness as the Mustang's body but it would be a heckuva job hand making those panels! <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0"> I will get back to y'all when something new (and important) develops.

Welding isnt that hard, I learnd in a day.<IMG src=smileys/smiley17.gif border="0"> I welded new floor pans into my 67 coupe no problem. Just cut it the right size, the SLOWLY start weding it in( use a mig welder). Do try to weld the whole thing at once, stich weld it. After you have to welded and fitted (e.i. perswading the metal with a hammer) put a sealent around the weld.

After reading this it makes me happy to live here in Calif. Most cars here are rust free ( knock on a solid floor board) Good luck with the welding. You can also take a comunity college course in welding/ metel shop. Chances are you would also be able to do alot of the work on the car there.

I've thought about taking a welding class at the vocational skool I'm going to but I'm already enrolled in an electricity class. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0"> Maybe next quarter. Or maybe I'll work up enough money to have a pro do it. I haven't really worked on my Stang lately unless you count more dissassembly of it. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley12.gif border="0">

Oh well they say these kind of projects take years.....