Actually, my guess is these guys are serious lifelong gearheads who are pro caliber wrenches.

Money is obviously not an issue. If you're broke, you don't buy a project..and everyone knows you lose money on a mustang project. These guys have serious money.

Time is not an issue since they are retired. They have a real facility in which to work. No limitations.

They have hardcore skills. You don't buy a tub like that unless you have serious guns in your arsenal.

Anyone can buy a sensible hobby car that won't break the bank. But, it takes a special combination of skills, time, and money to have the balls to undertake this kind of no ****s given money bleeding bakery case project.

My guess is these guys could have their own garage TV show. Or, they're just clueless teenagers.

No, looks like a 69 plain Jane to me. At least the cowl and rockers were galvanized on that year.

I think this guy's got more bondo than common sense...

I also hope he has all the interior and exterior trim. That could cost a lot more than welding up all those stamping and patches.

another happiness cure!!

Can he buy a new body from the aftermarket?
I've seen them for 67-68 fastbacks.
In the long run it may be cheaper.

So to answer the above questions, he's a car guy - 'light' from what I've seen. Has never undertaken any major auto restoration stuff.......

All this guy needs to do is set aside a full day to watch all the episodes of "Project Binky"........truly amazing metal work done on that Mini, little regard for time, and alot of patch panels (whether bought or fabricated).

Is he hoping to lean on the guys in the "club" to help make this happen? Are all the fellas gonna be friends when all is said and done?

Could be a good learning experience. He can do the filthy unskilled work, the guys can help with the skill stuff, and teach him while he builds.

(But, man, talk about learning how to swim at the deep end of the shark tank!)

I seen a356 in that condition, restored to concourse shape after a full year. The restoration was done many years ago and the car still looks concourse. Don't know if it'worth it for this Mustang. The guys who did the 356 had done a Pebble Beach winner.

No question it is possible. And may even be "worth it" on a car that demands a high price. An average Rustang isn't going to get to a $250k price tag any time soon. That's the biggest issue I see here ...

G

a lot of you guys are talking about the barrel of money related to the direct cost of restoration. but dont forget about the opportunity costs (ie honey i dont have time to paint the kitchen we'll just hire someone, might as well have someone cut the grass too, ill be at the garage). ask me how i know.

It might all be worth it if he's looking for a way out of the house that has even the slightest possibility of being explained as an "investment"

That dude should have purchased this one my friend Mark is selling. Sweet deal!

www.imperialmustangclub.org/1968mustang.htm

http://www.imperialmustangclub.org/1...s/image026.jpg

... and that's about it. :(

I can't even imagine taking on a project like this even if it was a "rare" 356. It's too far gone IMO.

Naw, that's beyond my mad skillz yo! I'd never get it done.

This is cool. I saw a local "Eleanor" with a similar chassis strengthening/stiffening setup.

(from the ad)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1451366395.jpg

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this guy is absolutely clueless as to what is needed just to get it as a ready 'roller'. BTW, talked with my close friend this morning and the parts you see in the car are all the parts he has for .....................................the $3K he spent. The guy is retired has a little money but clueless about the process ahead of him.

Also I told him to tell Claude that he'll need a frame jig and lots 1"x square tubing for bracing when the 'remaining' panels are cut to make way for new.......................................

The only time I have seen a muscle car that was this far gone, then brought back was a late 60's Mopar that was 1-of-1 where it was used in magazine and as a public promotion mule. The cost was stratospheric if I remember correctly.

While it's just a fraction of the project cost, he did get ripped off for $3000.
He could have almost gotten a complete running car for that. Just saying.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Ford-Mustang-/281847953284?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Ford-Mustang-/262097504945?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Ford-Mustang-/281859735393?

I want to know about other life decisions Claude has made.
Usually, these things do not occur in isolation.

Dunno if either of these are real, but this could be quite a deal.

Two old customized plymouth cars (unsure of year) | classic cars | Abbotsford | Kijiji

Oh wow, he'd have been MUCH better off with the second on there. That extra $250 would have put him worlds ahead.