Value of '66 Mustang?

[speeder]

A friend has this '66 Mustang that's been sitting and needs total resto + body work. She is going to sell it, I'm interested but have no idea what to pay. We'll probably wind up putting it on eBay at least once and see where it goes. Depending on where the wheel stops spinning, I might bid.

The good: Black plate CA. car w/ no rust and original data plate showing correct colors and equipment, 289 2V w/ C4 auto, power steering and brakes + factory A/C. Nice color. (IMO).

The Bad: Body work, (needs RF fender and pass. door), need total resto including paint and interior. Has aftermarket carb, manifold and headers but those are easily reversible to stock if desired.

Mechanicals are a question until I get it running this week, it's been sitting for a few years and needs brake hydraulic work and other stuff(?).

What say thee?

[A930Rocket]

Looks like a good car to start with.

Not sure on pricing, but what ever you think it is, double or triple expenses. You'll find more as you dig in and decide how far you want to take it.

[Steve Carlton]

I could see $20K going in and having a $10K car.

I don't really know, but it's the least desirable body style. My giant guess is $1,000.

[CMDR Perry]

On the plus side you can buy every part you need for a reasonable price. On the minus side they made almost 1/2 million 66 Mustangs so unless it is a GT coupe with the Hi-Po 289 (K code) it will never be worth what you put into it. The automatic, power brakes and steering will at least make it easy and enjoyable to drive with some modern tires.

[speeder]

Thanks. I've studied eBay completed auctions and it's just hard to find a true comparable car. There are basket cases, (which this car is not), and rusty "projects" sitting in farmer's fields + a lot of non-original low value coupes and of course beautiful restored cars with all the right options that pull good $$.

This car could be running and road worthy in 1 or 2 days. It was her daughter's first car @ 16 and was bought in nice condition, then crashed and basically thrashed by said daughter. It has nice, (but not big $$), options and is completely intact and correct other than aforementioned bolt-on performance stuff.

I really love early Mustangs, even coupes, and have always wanted to restore one. They are very basic machines compared to our beloved 911s and absolutely everything is available for them in decent quality reproduction parts. This is why zillions of them have been restored compared to other old cars. I was thinking somewhere around $2k for this car, maybe a little more. Sure, it would be great to get it for less but that's the real value of it. She lives right off a busy shopping street and people knock on her door almost everyday wanting to buy it. That's a good reason to sell right there.

[tabs]

2K sounds bout right....Then think 10 to 15 in..for around 17K into it...

Whenever I think resto cost on cars I try to estimate high and always wind up estimating low...

It is a good basic survivor car..that will be resored..unfortunatley it is not a vertible or fastback with the HIPO mtr


Also what is that 356 in the background...thats what I would be licking my chops for and drolling over...

[DaveE]

I'd rather have the red 356........

[speeder]

That would be Mr. Seahawk's car. And yes, it's worth a little more than the Mustang.

The two of them make a nice *black plate* pair that harkens back to a different era in CA., and the world for that matter.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by tabs

2K sounds bout right....Then think 10 to 15 in..for around 17K into it...

I could restore 3 of these in this condition for $15k. Not sure what you're thinking it needs(?)

[pwd72s]

Denis, Can't argue with your thinking here...of course, if it were a fastback, it would be worth more. Much cheaper to restore than a 356, for sure. Plus you'd end up with a nice fun driver for not a lot of coin.

[intakexhaust]

Been thru this and glossy eyed before. In your opinion it might have desirability but the notch-back stang is the least wanted in collector circles. If you want it as a fun driver, you can buy a same equiped with a 289, clean condition in the $8 - 10k range today. Also, ebay is not the place to buy these cars but a good place to dump them. Find a car that has not been advertised to a wide audience and hopefully a complete or nearly done. Sorting it out and restoring it correctly, replacing parts (NOS or aftermarket) are priced way more than even a couple of years ago. Doing most of it yourself (so as to not add the cost of outside labor), mechanical, trim, interior and body will still run you up a tab over ten thou. Have you priced out out body supplies and paint lately?

If money is no object and its just a want to do something project, then make yourself happy. Not to insult the seller, but that car looks to be a $1k to $1,500 tops. I know its not the same vehicle but I recently purchased a 100% original (incl. paint), mint body 1972 t-bird w/ 429 c.i. stored on jack stands, with original docs incl. build sheet, etc. for $400. It needs some sorting and interior tidi-up but I'm sure I'll find $2k more into it.... and with me doing all the work. It's sort of a 'french connection' looking sled and not worth more than $3,000 and I'm probably glossy eyed!

[Schumi]

I say get the mechanicals fresh, get some good rubber on it, and drive it as is- no bodywork.

It has character.

[techweenie]

I think 'stangs like these bring $3-4K in the midwest... you might want to stop by Mustangs Only on Washington and ask their opinion and maybe source the fender/door.

[pavulon]

"do it...you know you wanna..." (obscure 'animal house' reference)

[pavulon]

You probably already know that finding a rust free early mustang (check the floors, cowl and quarters REALLY well) that needs a fender and a door is a pretty simple fix and definitely worth the trouble. Performance SBF engine parts are dirt cheap compared to (any) P-car parts. That car has T/A clone written all over it! Attend a vintage racing event and you should be hooked!

[Rednine11]

get that car...I am in the WV...never see anything but rust buckets here. a 66 in that kind of shape is unheard of here. EASY fix and a nice car when you're done. maybe not the best of the best but any way you look at it she is a 66 and dam cool. I agree with the restore 3 like that for 17 k or whatever it was. as long as the frame rails and floors are good that car is an easy save . grab it and post pics as you rebuild it..

[speeder]

Thanks, guys. It's a dry car. It might have gotten slapped in the ass at some point, pretty sure there's bondo in one rear quarter. I'm tempted to buy it and enroll in auto body class @ Santa Monica city college. It would be the perfect project.

I can't believe that no one has asked me, "is she hot?" Yet. You guys are really slipping.

[fintstone]

Easy and cheap to restore. Parts are available and reasonable (no Porsche tax). They are very easy to work on...including body work as the panels are mostly flats. Had two '65's and loved them...one was the same color combination. The factory air is fairly rare...If it works and the car runs and drives well...I would pay $2500 in a minute.

[mossguy]

Is she hot?

[Joe Bob]

Easy car to work on, frame is basically a Ford Falcon. Parts are readily available, F Parts are a little more than GM and HIPO parts are worse.

Don't get anal and go correct everything and you'll have fun.