Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

I have been looking for a long time now and have found something
within my price range, just curious what the folks who have been doing
this for awhile would think. The car is a 1971 mustang coupe with
302/2v, auto, ac, pb.

First the bad:
1. Car will need all new pans (front seat, back seat, trunk) expected
this though
2. Interior is shot, new headliner, dashpad, upholestry, etc.
3. Car not running, but was when parked several years ago

Now the good:
1. Car is complete
2. Never wrecked, only few minor body rust spots
3. Motor will turn over by hand
4. Everything is all original
5. One owner with title

The owner is asking $1400 and is firm on this price, please ask me any
questions and feel free to give all thoughts and advice.

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

"Newpinguy" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> I have been looking for a long time now and have found something
> within my price range, just curious what the folks who have been doing
> this for awhile would think. The car is a 1971 mustang coupe with
> 302/2v, auto, ac, pb.
>
> First the bad:
> 1. Car will need all new pans (front seat, back seat, trunk) expected
> this though

Floor and trunk pan replacement is a major undertaking and expensive...

> 2. Interior is shot, new headliner, dashpad, upholestry, etc.
> 3. Car not running, but was when parked several years ago
>
> Now the good:
> 1. Car is complete
> 2. Never wrecked, only few minor body rust spots

Floor and trunk pans are MAJOR rust problems, on a unibody car, they can
involve structural issues too.

> 3. Motor will turn over by hand
> 4. Everything is all original
> 5. One owner with title
>
> The owner is asking $1400 and is firm on this price, please ask me any
> questions and feel free to give all thoughts and advice.
>

Good Luck

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

Tomas wrote:

>
> If it's a unibody car (I don't know), you are looking at some very
> expensive work that may grow worse as the body shop starts to tear into
> things.
> IOW, problems that are not obvious may be uncovered.
>
> Engage the services of a competent body shop to give the car a good going
> over before you purchase it and then add another 20 percent to whatever
> they tell you because surprises are bound to surface.

How do I tell if this is a unibody car; I'm not familiar with the term.

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

"Newpinguy" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Tomas wrote:
>
>>
>> If it's a unibody car (I don't know), you are looking at some very
>> expensive work that may grow worse as the body shop starts to tear into
>> things.
>> IOW, problems that are not obvious may be uncovered.
>>
>> Engage the services of a competent body shop to give the car a good going
>> over before you purchase it and then add another 20 percent to whatever
>> they tell you because surprises are bound to surface.
>
> How do I tell if this is a unibody car; I'm not familiar with the term.
>

It is.

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:00:11 -0700, Newpinguy wrote:

> I have been looking for a long time now and have found something
> within my price range, just curious what the folks who have been doing
> this for awhile would think. The car is a 1971 mustang coupe with
> 302/2v, auto, ac, pb.
>
> First the bad:
> 1. Car will need all new pans (front seat, back seat, trunk) expected
> this though
> 2. Interior is shot, new headliner, dashpad, upholestry, etc.
> 3. Car not running, but was when parked several years ago

If it's a unibody car (I don't know), you are looking at some very
expensive work that may grow worse as the body shop starts to tear into
things.
IOW, problems that are not obvious may be uncovered.

Engage the services of a competent body shop to give the car a good going
over before you purchase it and then add another 20 percent to whatever
they tell you because surprises are bound to surface.

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

I'm rebuilding a 72, my biggest problem is finding parts. 60's parts are
everywhere, but 71-73 are more difficult, but can be found with some work on
the internet.
"My Names Nobody" > wrote in message
news:ywHjg.5841$WM4.3611@trnddc01...
>
> "Newpinguy" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>>
>> Tomas wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> If it's a unibody car (I don't know), you are looking at some very
>>> expensive work that may grow worse as the body shop starts to tear into
>>> things.
>>> IOW, problems that are not obvious may be uncovered.
>>>
>>> Engage the services of a competent body shop to give the car a good
>>> going
>>> over before you purchase it and then add another 20 percent to whatever
>>> they tell you because surprises are bound to surface.
>>
>> How do I tell if this is a unibody car; I'm not familiar with the term.
>>
>
> It is.
>

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

Newpinguy wrote:

> First the bad:
> 1. Car will need all new pans (front seat, back seat, trunk) expected
> this though
> 2. Interior is shot, new headliner, dashpad, upholestry, etc.
> 3. Car not running, but was when parked several years ago

> The owner is asking $1400 and is firm on this price, please ask me any
> questions and feel free to give all thoughts and advice.

Whenever I feel like buying a "REAL fixer-upper" I calculate all costs
that will be needed for the repair and after it's all figured
up......double that figure. Now is it worth it? That's up to you to
decide. If I buy a "one-of-a-kind" type of project where the costs of
what it's worth to me really can't be figured, that's one thing. But
when you buy a Mustang that isn't a one-of-a-kind project, that's
another.
If I were you, (and remember that I'm not) I'd probably pass on this
project, especially a unibody car that needs serious rust/rot repair.

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

"Kruse" > wrote
> If I were you, (and remember that I'm not) I'd probably pass on this
> project, especially a unibody car that needs serious rust/rot repair.

DEFINITELY PASS!
Besides the fact that the 71-73, imho, is the ugliest of all the mustangs
( yes, including the Mustang II) it's near impossible to find parts for
them. There's almost nothing made in the aftermarket when it comes to the
body, and that seems to be the WORST part of the build in your case. Rust
repair is extremely expensive when done correctly.

Keep your cash in your pocket and keep looking for something better.

Kruse is right. It will take you twice as much time and money as you think
to finish the project. It may not take as much time, but that comes at an
even HIGHER price in $$$'s.
--
Scott W.
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 18:58:46 -0500, "bf81" > wrote:

>I'm rebuilding a 72, my biggest problem is finding parts. 60's parts are
>everywhere, but 71-73 are more difficult, but can be found with some work on
>the internet.
>"My Names Nobody" > wrote in message
>news:ywHjg.5841$WM4.3611@trnddc01...
>>
>> "Newpinguy" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>>>
>>> Tomas wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> If it's a unibody car (I don't know), you are looking at some very
>>>> expensive work that may grow worse as the body shop starts to tear into
>>>> things.
>>>> IOW, problems that are not obvious may be uncovered.
>>>>
>>>> Engage the services of a competent body shop to give the car a good
>>>> going
>>>> over before you purchase it and then add another 20 percent to whatever
>>>> they tell you because surprises are bound to surface.
>>>
>>> How do I tell if this is a unibody car; I'm not familiar with the term.
>>>
>>
>> It is.
>>
>

Although as time marches on, they are producing more and more parts
for the 71-73s, and even starting on Mustang IIs. It's the same
problem people had with the earlier models.
--

Spike
1965 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2, Vintage Burgundy
w/Black Std Interior, A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok;
Vintage 40 16" rims w/225/50ZR16 KDWS BF Goodrich
gForce Radial T/As, Cobra drop; surround sound
audio-video...
See my ride at....
Feb 2004- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/003_May_21_3004.jpg
Feb 2004- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/005_May_21_2004.jpg
Jul 2005- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/d..._11_05_002.jpg
Jul 2005- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/E...ebuild_006.jpg

Thoughts on first Mustang purchase please
 

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 18:51:03 -0600, "Blue Mesteno"
> wrote:

>"Kruse" > wrote
>> If I were you, (and remember that I'm not) I'd probably pass on this
>> project, especially a unibody car that needs serious rust/rot repair.
>
>DEFINITELY PASS!
>Besides the fact that the 71-73, imho, is the ugliest of all the mustangs
>( yes, including the Mustang II) it's near impossible to find parts for
>them. There's almost nothing made in the aftermarket when it comes to the
>body, and that seems to be the WORST part of the build in your case. Rust
>repair is extremely expensive when done correctly.
>
>Keep your cash in your pocket and keep looking for something better.
>
>Kruse is right. It will take you twice as much time and money as you think
>to finish the project. It may not take as much time, but that comes at an
>even HIGHER price in $$$'s.

Personally, after owning a 72 for a number of years, I was quite happy
with it. Beat the heck out of Mustang IIs for looks, ran like a champ
with power to spare according to the cop who clocked me :0) and wrote
me :0(.

But, mine was only 2 years old when I got it and it was in excellent
shape.

This one I would pass on. There are too many better ones available
that others have already put the money into.
--

Spike
1965 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2, Vintage Burgundy
w/Black Std Interior, A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok;
Vintage 40 16" rims w/225/50ZR16 KDWS BF Goodrich
gForce Radial T/As, Cobra drop; surround sound
audio-video...
See my ride at....
Feb 2004- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/003_May_21_3004.jpg
Feb 2004- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/005_May_21_2004.jpg
Jul 2005- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/d..._11_05_002.jpg
Jul 2005- http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/E...ebuild_006.jpg