'65 Mustang
 

I was talking to my neighbor over the weekend and she tells me she is selling her Mustang.

About all I know it that it's a 6cyl, three speed manual, hard top, not a fastback. Needs TLC, but runs and drives. She needs $3500 for it.

I thought that sounded cheep, but what do I know.

Run far and fast from that car as it will be a money pit. A 3spd 6 cyl mustang will be very slow and almost boring to drive since it's won't do anything good.

concur.
flee!

Check the front frame rails for rot and expect the cowl vents to leak. Cool looking car, but the wrong drive train to make it any fun. My first car was a 67 Mustang, fond memories.

Wow, thanks guys. I hear '65 Mustang and I think; 'that sounds like a lot of fun'.

Does a year or two project that will cost $30,000 plus still sound like a lot of fun?It's better to spend $25K on a V8 289 that has already been restored then trying to fix a 6cyl.

I think that's why I got my '71. :(

My dad bought a 65 convertible when I was in college for about $3,500. It also had the 3 speed and 6 cyl. It looked nice and the interior was good, but underneath it was completely rusted. The frame was pretty much rusted through. It drove well enough so we would drive it around town, in parades, that sort of thing. It really was one of the most fun cars to just be in. It wasn't fast or fancy, but it was a lot of fun. Something about being in an old Mustang is very evocative.

We looked everywhere to find some place that would restore it for something reasonable and we never found anyone. The money it takes to restore a car like that is fixed. You just can't do it for anything less than the actual cost, and it's a big job to take on yourself. When my father died we ended up selling it at an auction for about $3,500. A very sad day, but it was the right thing to do. A couple of gearheads bought it, pushed it on to a trailer and headed back to their garage where they planned to restore it. I hope they did.

How long would it take for it to fold in 1/2 if I took a saws-all to the top? ;)

For what it is worth almost every repair part is available for them and the are reasonably inexpensive.

IF it's relatively rust free, it might be a fun cruiser. Swapping in a V8 isn't hard/expensive either.

Except that there are lots of nice early Mustangs out there for $4k-$7k.

don't the 6 cylinder early mustangs have 4 lug wheels too. You would have to change a lot of things to make it a worthwhile car for an enthusiast

For collectable value an engine swap will kill the value (if any).

For a fun toy though, might be kinda' cool.

Yes it has 4 lug wheels and softer front springs, the tranny and rear and has to be swapped as well.

No one wants a 6 cyl Mustang, its worthless.

I know where there is a V8 Auto (again not that desirable manual is) 68 Mustang that needs lots of TLC for $3K. I have been tempted to buy it, restore it, and take it to Barrett Jackson and get some idiot to pay 50K for it.

"....A Falcon by any other name......."

If you must have a 60's American car that gets great mileage and is designed well (ind. susp, rear-engined, air-cooled flat-6) that is cheap to maintain, fun to drive and can give P-Cars fits at autocross, I MIGHT have a suggestion.;)

Um, Thanks?

I am not looking, just thought it was interesting that what I thought was a very cool, somewhat collectible car, could be had for $3,500.

I believe almost half a million were sold the first year so they aint rare by any means. If you like to tinker, it will probably keep you busy.

2+2 fastback, hi-po 289 4bbl, 4 speed would be a nice investment. ;)

Lets stop the six cylinder Mustang bashing.

My first car was a 1966 Mustang 6 cylinder I got from the original in MD back in 1991, that I still own.

While not a powerhouse, I drove it from VA to IA for college and got over 25 mpg with the little six and a 2.83 rear end (swapped out the 3.20).

As for the transmission and rear end replacement comments, it is very easy to swap in the 3 speed from a V8 car (67 and later used the same 3 speed V8 or 6), and the 5 speed swap is easy as well sice all the parts are out there. Since there were some many 64 1/2 to 66's made, swapping out the rear end is very easy.

You wouldn't need to go to the 5 lug if you didn't want, they make disc brakes for the 4 lugs now. Or you can use the Granda brake parts.

Basically what I am saying, is that if you want a fun little car, and it isn't a rust bucket, go for it.

There are some good six cylinder only forums out there, and if you think some of the Pelican's are DIY capable, you should see some of those guys.

One a side note, my little six, running three Webers and a progressive linkage, long tube headers, and 3.73 rear end, can easily keep up a 289 powered Mustang till I run out of gears, and my car is lighter and better balanced.

Do you have any pictures?

Bill

:confused: So you spend a decent amount of money to make your car almost as fast a stock V8?