Topic: Need some feedback.

[koski19]

This past week I drove out to New Mexico to purchase another 66 mustang coupe for restoration. I would like to know from everyone:
1. Restore to factory original 200 cid 1v 120hp 6 cyl, C4 transmission, Sauterne Gold paint and black interior with black trim, Manual brakes and power steering. 2.83:1 differential.
or
2. Restore to factory original while upgrading the brakes to power disc, adding electronic ignition, electronic fuel pump? Changing paint color. Leaving the interior black.
or
3. Turn the car into the 66 GT Coupe? VIN numbers won't match for the restoration.

I'm leaning toward the factory restoration for the higher resale value. The car has been sitting since 1997 with very little rust. I have a pretty solid foundation to work with. I plan to flip the car once it is done and looking for the highest resale value.

So, I would like some input on the subject.

Thanks
Jeff
ASE

[J_Speegle]

First welcome to the site... hope you find the site useful.

This past week I drove out to New Mexico to purchase another 66 mustang coupe for restoration. I would like to know from everyone:.............................

I'm leaning toward the factory restoration for the higher resale value. The car has been sitting since 1997 with very little rust. I have a pretty solid foundation to work with. I plan to flip the car once it is done and looking for the highest resale value.

Considering you asked on this site expect the general opinion will be restore the car to the way it was built (any other way will not be restoring

Unfortunately a restored 6 cylinder will not likely return your investment so a factory restoration will not be a good idea IMHO if your simply looking at making money   Making a fake V8 GT out of a 6 cylinder is not restoring it

IF you choose to hot rod the car/modify the car every choice you make has the possibility to attract some additional buyers and turn others off.

If your going the modified route there are many good sites that will be much more help than  here since it was designed with a specific focus. Plenty of those "its your car do what you want with it".... places with members that have been there done that.  I quit doing the hot rod thing many years ago... though I see that projects every week... and those challenges


Good luck with your choice and project

[CharlesTurner]

In addition to Jeff's post, keep in mind that to convert a 6cyl car to a V8 and add all the specific parts will be a big $$ and time expense which will most likely diminish any additional value placed on the car.

The only way I would consider restoring to original is if the body is in near perfect condition with no rust and there are many original parts that can be cleaned and re-used.  If you have to replace only normal items like bumpers, door handles and interior trim, keep the car original.  Otherwise, you might consider parting it out.  I really don't think you're going to make anything off of it by making it a GT clone. 

Another option is to do the bare minimum to get it running and driving, clean it up nice and try to make a couple grand off of it.  Probably your best approach for most profit.  Once you start doing a lot of work on the car and spending lots of time on it, your time investment will wash out most of the additional value added.

There really isn't much wiggle room to make anything on coupes, especially 6 cylinders.  They're fun cars for some and I'm not knocking those that buy them, but they are entry level cars and just not very desirable.

[DM_1964]

Original all the way IMHO...

Jeff and Charles's input +1

Would like to see some pics... Good luck which ever way you decide...

[NEFaurora]

"but they are entry level cars and just not very desirable. "

Have to strongly disagree here... It all depends on the buyer...

I actually know plenty of guys that specifically seek out original 6cyl cars to convert because Most V8 cars are rotted, thrashed or blown to hell over a 48 year period.  Who wants to deal with rust or a thrashed out V8 car? (Unless it is a K-code of course).....Not only that, because they are sixes...Lots of times, they just drop in the V8 because the V8 sells...and they do it without even changing the 4-lug drivetrain for a "quick sale"... Most people not familiar with classics mustangs would not even know the difference and just open up their checkbook. I've seen it done plenty of times...  I've always found more better condition rust free 6cyl cars than V8's..way more....Conditionwise from original, The sixes win out just about everytime....so to say that they are not desirable is a big injustice, It all depends on who is doing the looking.   I never turn away a car just because it is a six-banger....It all depends on the condition of the car. Condition means more to me than if the car has a V8 or not.  If it happens to be a V8, It's just a plus.. That's all..  Many share my same view.. Anybody that approaches this from a "Barrett-Jackson" approach will lose out in this hobby....just about everytime...IMHO..

Also, Anyone who is doing this for the sole purpose of flipping cars like the owner of the "Fast N' Loud" folks...usually can't even turn a wrench and is in it for the wrong reasons anyway.... Just  $$$$$.

Tony K.

[CharlesTurner]

Well Tony, you kind of contradicted yourself there.  You say you disagree that 6 cyl cars are not desirable, yet state they are good to use as donor cars for V8 conversions. 

Like I said, I don't have any problem with folks liking 6 cyl cars, but they are absolutely entry level cars today, just like they were when new.  Most car folks, given the choice between an I6 and a V8 in similar condition will most likely take the V8.  I personally would never own an I6 as a pleasure car, the V8's are just too darn fun.  I had a '68 I6 as my first car and am very familiar with how those cars run and drive.  Big difference IMHO.

[koski19]

Thanks for all the interesting replies.  I too, have enjoyed owning Mustangs since I was able to drive. I learned to drive in a 1965 fastback 2+2. I then bought a 1967 Cougar in 71 and then upgraded to a 1968 California Special in 1975. Moving on, in 1976 I purchased a 1975 a Mustang II. Traded my cabover camper for a 1965 Mustang coupe in 1977. In 1988 I was able to pickup a 1966 GT Mustang Coupe (wish I still had that one) and in 2005 drove from Spokane Washington to Chicago to purchase a 1966 Mustang Coupe V8 restored it to a daily driver condition and was sold to a guy in Australia. Now in 2013 drove to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to buy the current 1966 Mustang I6 for restoration. My plan is to do a ground up restoration. Since the car was delivered in 1966 to the DSO in Los Angeles, Ca and ended up in New Mexico there isn't alot of rust. Initial inspection found the floor pan does need to be replaced. Haven't decided to do the GT clone or keep it all original as the day it rolled from the showroom floor. I'm leaning toward original but part of me says clone. I'm fairly capable to perform all the work myself but the paint work which will be farmed out to the local hot rod shop. I'm a retired ASE tech and have worked for Ford, Chevy and Dodge over the years. Here's several pictures of my Mustang project. Thanks again....Jeff....Oh, I do own a horse....A mustang of the range here in Nevada!.....LOL

[CharlesTurner]

Looks like a straight car.  Replacing a floor pan is a pretty large order, I guess since you're retired this is something to do for enjoyment?  If that's the case, then have fun, but don't expect a windfall when you try to sell the car.  You're probably going to have 500+ hours in it not counting the cost of parts and other repairs/restoration farmed out.

If you intend to go back all original, this will be a great forum to get feedback on any questions along the way.

[J_Speegle]

Bought and sold ALLOT of cars over the years and I would offer that you make almost all of your profit when you buy the car (get it for a great price) rather than on the other end. Also found that selling projects often made me more money, since there were always dreamers and guys that thought they could do things cheaper. Meant selling a higher volume of cars at times but work for me since we always had a ton of cars to choose from. This does not always apply to really rare or in demand cars but often still did

With the rise of the cost of paint jobs in  this country I would think that alone would limit profit taking on a car completely gone through.

Good luck with the car no matter what choice you choose

[NEFaurora]

....No Contradiction.....6cyl cars ARE desirable.............For V8 conversions!!!!!!!!!!

They are also desirable in stock form as well...  The Sprint 200's are pretty desirable...unmolested. As are some Early '65='66 six bangers.  I'm sure that Bob Aieberto of Mustang#2 would disagree as well..but that of course is a pre-production car.

I think there should really be a split....  Not to say that the sixes are not desirable...because they are...., but to actually say that they are not desirable to be considered as a real "Musclecar"... then I would I would definitely agree with that statement more.

Most gearheads want the "V8"....just as in 1966.... which makes the V8's more sought after... but as I stated most V8 cars found usually have way more issues than that of your average 6cyl car found..and that is the truth.


Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

To also add.... I've also owned as many V8 '65-'66 Mustangs as I have owned 6cyl '65-'66 Mustangs... And I've enjoyed the 6cyl cars just as much as the V8 cars... To each his own I guess.. The 200cid's power to weight ratio under the hood of a '65-'66 Mustang is really peppy...and I can definitely say that the '68 and later sixes with IMCO are nowhere as good as the earlier '65-'67 Non-IMCO sixes.  Sorry you had bad experiences in your '68 IMCO six banger Charles... It looks like it left a big scar...lol... I'm not surprised though, The '68 and later IMCO engines suck in their stock form...especially with the distributors and the carbs.  You have to modify them to get any good power out of them.. Had you had a Non-IMCO six... I think your views would be much better on the '65-'66 six bangers.

Tony K.

[koski19]

Looks like a straight car.  Replacing a floor pan is a pretty large order, I guess since you're retired this is something to do for enjoyment?  If that's the case, then have fun, but don't expect a windfall when you try to sell the car.  You're probably going to have 500+ hours in it not counting the cost of parts and other repairs/restoration farmed out.

If you intend to go back all original, this will be a great forum to get feedback on any questions along the way.

Not concerned about the hours that will be put into the project. But, I will be concerned about the sublet repair hours farmed out. I'll be moving the Mustang to the work area in a week or so. There I'll start the final disassembly process and inspection of the frame and sub assemblies. Yesterday I inventoried and cataloged all the parts that came with the car to find what was missing. The body is straight and the doors and truck lid close solid. I couldn't find any bondo but I'll see it when the paint gets stripped. The floor pan is rusted through on the driver's side where the floor meets the fire wall.  One of the perks of buying this car it came with new interior seat coverings front and rear, kick panels, dash pad, door panels and window visors. The upholstery came from Distinctive Industries. After consideration and viewing inputs, I'll be restoring the car to stock form and showroom condition. I plan to farm out the C4 transmission rebuild, the paint from primer to final coat and there is a metal refinishing service here for the bright work. I'll post photos and captions along with requests for help under the various headings at this forum as questions arise. Thanks for all your help and input. I'll post a question about stripping the paint, sealers, dirt and grime in that thread.........Jeff

[StangCrazy]

You said "there is a metal refinishing service here" and you are in Nevada, do you mind telling who that is? Also how is the rebuild going? I have started the same project on an original owner no rust (except the battery tray) 65 coupe, I6, C4, A/C, Visibility Group, Tinted Windshield, 14-inch whitewall's and I also have the original California plates with 1965 stickers...... I have it all stripped down now ready for paint and planned on doing a total restore but am now toying with changing to 289. any remarks to that would be greatly appreciated.   

[cobrajetchris]

I will weigh in on  restoring a car for profit, DON'T DO IT!  If you are not in love with this car and  don't plan on keeping it forever I would not do anything to it at all except put a few layers of dust on it and call it a barn find. I don't care if you are talking about a base 6 cylinder coupe or a boss 429. There are many examples of the so called barn finds staged or not that sell for way more than there worth. There are plenty more examples of cars that are restored to a high level and don't bring near the money they should. The higher level of a concourse restoration is done and the rarer the car is not only takes the cost to restore it through the roof but brings more scrutiny from high end buyers. In my opinion there are easier ways to lose money than doing a full scale car restoration. The people that make the most money on restoring cars is the ones that are slapped together and painted resale red or the high end restorers that do nice work and are lucky enough to have a clientele that is not concerned with the cost of the restoration.