Topic: Restoration reference material

[rodster]

Just came across a book by Colin Date entitled Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966: The Restorer's Guide and noticed the price of a new copy is very $$$.  $300+ ?

Also see there is another book by Colin Date entitled Collector's Originality Guide Mustang 1964-1/2-1966    for $25-$30.

What is the history behind these books?

If anyone has recommendations for good reference material, maybe this would be a good topic to include it in.

I will make my recommendation for Bob Mannel's Small Block Ford book. One of my favorite reference books! 

The Marti tag book and By the numbers books are good too.

[jwc66k]

Here's "Original Mustang 1964 1/2 - 1966: The Restorer's Guide" on http://www.abebooks.com/
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Original+Mustang+1964+1%2F2+-+1966%3A+The+Restorer%27s+Guide
Here's "Collector's Originality Guide Mustang 1964-1/2-1966" -     
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bi=0&bx=off&ds=30&recentlyadded=all&sortby=17&sts=t&tn=Collector%27s+Originality+Guide+Mustang+1964-1%2F2-1966&x=51&y=17
ABE Books is a great website for finding new and used books on just about anything. They ain't cheap. Vol. 1 of the Haskell-Smart "Mustang Production Guide" is $496.01. You do not get three rooms of carpet for free with this purchase.
Jim

[rodster]

What's the reason the prices are so high?  Limited supply?

Seeing how much we learn every day I wonder how accurate the books are?

[CharlesTurner]

The Colin Date one is nice, but you'll find inaccuracies here and there.

My best restoration material is Ford documentation and pictures I've gathered over the years.

[J_Speegle]

If anyone has recommendations for good reference material, maybe this would be a good topic to include it in.

IMHO NOTHING beats a good forum with ongoing peer review, public discussions attended by knowledgeable members with allot of experiences

Other than my picture collection I use

- A collection of Technical Service Bulletins

- Mustang Production guides to figure out the approx VIN of cars when members only provide plant and date

- Year of production Master Parts Catalogs (don't have many of these

- Shelby registries

- Spread sheets and data bases where I store collected data related to trends and patterns

Not often but sometimes I find a need to use  The Mustang and Cougar Tagbook and the Ford Carburetor Guide

[priceless]

A handy pocket-size data plate decoder is nice to carry around especially when you go look at a Mustang that a friend found and wants you to come see it

[rodster]

Thanks for the info. I might have to check into the Colin Date book(s). 

I agree a forum like this is the best place to get the latest info but sometimes for folks like me who have a general knowledge but lack the depth and details like the experts, I need a base to start with (understanding there may be inadequacies) just to be able to ask and intelligent question. 

(And avoid asking a question that has a simple answer)

[79mustangcobra]

Don't shoot me here for recommending a Corvette book.

I have read a lot of restoration books but they mostly do a 'driver restoration'

I have yet to find the perfect paint dabs etc book, but this is a really good book.  It is a little dated but some of the principles used on this car can be used on a Mustang.

Plus I love the topic that the writer took a beaten car to top flight status.   I like the motivation.




http://www.amazon.com/Road-Top-Flight-Restoration-Planning/dp/1886542007