Any classic 'Stang experts?

[50tbrd88]

My sister has always wanted a classic 'stang and has found a '66 vert. She wants me to call the dealer who is trying to sell it to see what I can find out about the car. Other than riding in a friends '67 in High School, I've really never been around old Mustangs. I'm honestly more familiar with GM muscle car era stuff (Dad has a '72 Chevelle, uncle has a '72 Stingray, etc).

What do I need to look for/ask about? I know rust is very prevalent on these but other than that what are common problem areas?

How about a reasonable price for a solid '66 vert with 289 and pony interior? This is her dream car because she wants the "emberglo" paint and parchment interior with 289/auto. Seems like a rare combo....I'm not sure that I've ever seen one in person.

Here is the link to the ad: http://www.ultramotors.net/vehicle-...d+mustang+convertible+2-door+convertible.html

The price seems high to me but it does look like a very solid original car...what do ya'll think?

 

[19COBRA93]

That's way too much $$$ for that car. Based on the orange peel in the paint, and the black paint over stickers in the engine bay, I'd say the restoration/turd shining on this car was cheaply done just to get it out the door.

I could be wrong, but this one you would want to really look at in person closely to see what is really underneath. The market isn't exactly solid right now, so $26k can get you a really nicely done car. This one is not that IMO.

 

[GallopingFord]

That's a pretty nice car. The VIN does specify that it is indeed a 289 car and was built in Dearborn, MI.

As for the price. The average price for a 289 1966 convertible has been lingering around 25K and this car is clean. The interior looks very nice and to add it's got the center console. You should be able to negotiate a couple dollars off of it considering what Sam said

Do they have any documentation to go with the car?

 

[50tbrd88]

Thanks guys. I agree about the paint. Its not a great paint job but would serve her well as she's not a "car person" anyway and I would cringe to see her own something with a 1st class paint job.

That being said its pretty easy to polish a turd with a quick paint job...and if that car has been in northern Indiana all along, there's no way that it hasn't had rust at one time or another.

My opinion is this is a high-teen's/low $20's Mustang, but maybe I'm wrong. I guess they've had it quite awhile, and its been on eBay a few times and has not sold.

Do they have any documentation to go with the car?

That was going to be one of my 1st questions. Its hard to prove a car is an original 50,000 mile survivor without serious documentation. I'd would have to lean towards the miles being actual just based on the condition of the interior. It is definitely original and in very good condition judging by the pics.

I already told her that a visual inspection would be the only way to truly know what caliber of car it is. Bad thing is that I'm getting ready to go out of town for a couple weeks so she may have to take my Dad to look. And while he loves his Ford trucks...he's not a old Mustang lover at all (too many Chevelle's, Cutlass's, and El Camino's in his past, lol).

 

[19COBRA93]

I've owned probably 12 classic cars, and most of them were purchased online. Of those, almost all were misrepresented.

 

[50tbrd88]

I've owned probably 12 classic cars, and most of them were purchased online. Of those, almost all were misrepresented.

Duly noted!

 

[stkjock]

does she have any idea how driving a 50 year old car compares to a modern car?

 

[19COBRA93]

This is one I bought out of Fresno, CA. It was listed as 100% rust free, with only a recent paint refresh.

The pics looked great, but it turned out to have many areas of rust rot, and every panel had bondo under the shitty paint job. This car was a huge disappointment. But the pic makes it look great. I ended up getting $1500 back from the guy because I threatened to drive it through is living room window.

It did run great though. It had power everything and a/c. I drove it from Fresno, CA to Clinton, UT in the middle of July and the a/c blew cold the whole ride home. I ended up selling it not long after at a loss.

This pic is from the for sale ad:

 

[GallopingFord]

I've owned probably 12 classic cars, and most of them were purchased online. Of those, almost all were misrepresented.

There is so much truth in this. It's like the "angle" pictures of ugly girls looking decent on Facebook. Anyone can make utter shit look good if you photograph it right.

does she have any idea how driving a 50 year old car compares to a modern car?

I was going to ask this, but if she is firmly set on owning this car then she will have to make due with the characteristics

I ended up getting $1500 back from the guy because I threatened to drive it through is living room window.

LOL. Back in High School I almost bought a 68 GT Convertible with a 390. Car looked pristine in the photos. When I saw that car in person though... I couldn't wait to never see it again.

 

[CPRsm]

Take it to a classic mustang shop and pay to have them to over the whole car. 75-300 bucks. Money well spent. I saved a few people headache. And crushed a few when they brought it to me for upgrades and needed 10k in repair from things that were hidden to amateur eyes. Expect to spend money after you buy one, no matter how much you spend, or how much they spend on their restore or upkeep. They all need something. If not repairs, updates.

 

[19COBRA93]

I'm currently in the market for a '50's Ford F1/F100 and I'm having a hard time finding one that is represented well. I ask for pictures of very specific areas, and one I was told straight up "maybe this truck isn't for you", because I think they didn't want to show me the rot that was underneath. And I'm looking for more of a project than something restored, so it doesn't have to be perfect.

 

[50tbrd88]

does she have any idea how driving a 50 year old car compares to a modern car?

Lol this is EXACTLY what I told her last night. I told her in the long run she'd be happier if she just went and spent $30K on a new V6 Stang with warranty, a/c, leather, badass radio, good MPG, etc.

I remember how my friends '67 drove...really not a great driving car in stock form IIRC.

 

[Rangersfan]

I had a 67 coupe back when I was in high school (long time ago) One thing to look for on those cars that's easy to overlook, is that they are prone to rot in the cowl vent area. Water collects in it, and if it rusts enough it will lead to floor pan issues too. Not easy to fix at all and hard to spot unless you do a leak check

 

[Wicked GT]

Biggest things to look at... Cowl as mentioned, front frame where it ends by the driver passenger's feet, floor below drivers and passengers feet, shock tower where it meets the fenders, top of rear quarter wheel wells, rear cowl along the bottom corners of the rear window, and inside the trunk behind each rear wheel... lots of places to look.

 

[50tbrd88]

Looks like it's marked sold now