Topic: Restore or leave alone 66 GT coupe with 106K miles

[Crgjohnson]

Unexpectedly fell into a 1966 GT San Jose Feb 66 Mustang. The car is unmolested except for a few items in the engine bay. Currently the undercarriage is very dirty and I believe has dealer installed undercoating The engine is original runs strong but has a few oil leaks. The drivers seat has been recovered. It is a two owner car with a DSO of Seattle and it has remained in Seattle. The only rust is a small bubble in the lower outside corner of the drivers door and a couple very small holes in the very bottom of the drivers quarter panel. One thing to point out is the car was repainted (very well done in original color in 1991). All paper work is with the car including the original owners card that was given to the first buyer at Southgate ford in Seattle. Here is my question. Would you leave the car as is since it is pretty much a survivor or would you full on thoroughbred/concours restore it?  Any input or wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Picture are in the link below

Craig

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/crgjohnson/embed/slideshow/1966%20GT%20Mustang"></iframe>

[rodster]

Don't know if I have any wisdom to share but can always give input. 

What is your budget?    Big factor if you want to consider a concours restoration but you probably already know that. 

Unfortunately the car has been repainted so hard to call it a survivor but if it was mine and it wouldn't take much to get it cleaned up and roadworthy, I think I'd go that route first.

You can always consider a restoration later once you get it cleaned up and see what you have.  Just depends on what you are looking for.

Good luck, it's a good looking car!

[tobkob]

Nice looking car. If it were me I would clean it up and enjoy it as is while I decided what to do. Take your time and make the right decision for you. Remember that a complete restoration not only takes a lot of cash but also a lot of time that you could be enjoying the car. The underside can be slowly cleaned up as you enjoy driving

TOB

[MattDoscher]

Nice Mustang!  I would leave it alone and enjoy it as-is.  As the old saying goes it's only original/unrestored once.

Matt

[CharlesTurner]

Any thoughts of classifying this car as a 'survivor' would be a stretch at this point.  All of the suspension and undercarriage need some type of cleanup/restoration and replace worn parts/bushings.  If the engine/trans haven't been into, probably will need a rebuild or at least cleaning/re-seal.  100k miles on these older cars is not the same as 100k on modern cars, not even taking into account the age of the components at this point.

If you can DIY, you may consider restoring the car. 

[JohnSlack]

Craig,
Caspian65 made some good points. With the detail I've seen you do on your 1970 I'd really consider the full concours restoration. Except the paint may not be necessary, and if it is maybe that needs to be moved in house as well.
John

[rodster]

Craig,
Caspian65 made some good points. With the detail I've seen you do on your 1970 I'd really consider the full concours restoration. Except the paint may not be necessary, and if it is maybe that needs to be moved in house as well.
John

Hey.... someone is holding out on us.... where are the pictures?   

What is your intended usage and future plans for the Mustang at this time? Does it have real sentimental value?

Doing a full restoration on the A-code coupe you will more than likely be far underwater on its value at completion, even if inherited.

But then we don't always think logically do we?    I have a 65 A code coupe which I think really needs done.   

[Crgjohnson]

All very good advice. Since I can do all the undercarriage and suspension work myself I think I will concentrate on the mechanical, suspension and engine compartment. Pulling the engine to clean and restore the engine bay and detail the engine is the way to go. I do see that the valve covers and oil pan is leaking oil due to dried out cork gaskets. Picking the car up today and driving it home I was pleasantly surprised that all the systems worked. However, I did discover that either the windshield gasket or the cowl on both side leaks like crazy. I suspect that it is the windshield gasket since there is so little rust else where.  I have added additional picture to the photo bucket album if interested.

Thank you all for your insight.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/crgjohnson/embed/slideshow/1966%20GT%20Mustang"></iframe>

Craig

[Crgjohnson]

Hey.... someone is holding out on us.... where are the pictures?   

Here you go Rodster. Picture of the 70 Mustang restoration that I am within a couple months of completing.


<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/crgjohnson/embed/slideshow/1970%20Boss%20302"></iframe>

Craig

[67gtasanjose]

All very good advice. Since I can do all the undercarriage and suspension work myself I think I will concentrate on the mechanical, suspension and engine compartment. Pulling the engine to clean and restore the engine bay and detail the engine is the way to go. I do see that the valve covers and oil pan is leaking oil due to dried out cork gaskets. Picking the car up today and driving it home I was pleasantly surprised that all the systems worked. However, I did discover that either the windshield gasket or the cowl on both side leaks like crazy. I suspect that it is the windshield gasket since there is so little rust else where.  I have added additional picture to the photo bucket album if interested.

Thank you all for your insight.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/crgjohnson/embed/slideshow/1966%20GT%20Mustang"></iframe>

Craig

I'd be sure and roll the carpeting back to dry the floorboards out. Here's to hoping it's NOT the cowl. If so, and you do not wish to go that deep (just yet) perhaps one of those cowl cover kits can at least keep things dry when the car gets wet or washed.

[kr3760]

I've got the perfect solution.  Sell it to me. 

[Crgjohnson]

Selling "as is" is not out of the question. As with everything it depends on the offer

[kr3760]

I'm interested.  PM me a starting point.

[krelboyne]

Looks like the car had a birthday today. 22B

[Crgjohnson]

Why yes it does have a birthday today. As it turns out I do not believe the cowls are bad. The day I saw water on the floor mat it was raining very hard and I was in and out of the car as I started it. The water I saw was from my shoes. I originally didn't think I had dragged that much water inside but after I wiped up the water and let the car sit in the rain overnight it was dry. That being said I still plan on doing a good water test to be sure.