I drove this car as a sales rep for just under 380,000 miles from 1993 to 2005
First thing AFTER you have chosen the model and year of your project is you REALLY need to have a clear idea on just what you want out of the car.
I bought this as a mild runner with 220 rhp in 1993. By 1995 I was doing track days in it so it started the slipery slope of mods. I went up a couple notches. Changed out rear gears add on custom made wheels to go to bigger low profile tires wheels are replica's of stock 1968 wheels but are 15" over the 14's that came fom the factory
Around 1998 I blew my first engine after a 120 mph straight-a-way I dropped a valve. Engine #2 was a crate motorsport B302 motor with better heads, a bigger intake and dyno'ed around 260 if I rember right
Add in more upgrades to the suspention, change rear gears, add a modern 5spd Add on American Racing Torq thrust D wheels
2001 things go bigger on brakes, add in a 302 based stroker motor, 331 ci 364 rear wheel hp at 6,400 rpm and rev limiter set at 7k on the street and 7,200 on the track This engine was built in my Dads home garage by us using intake, carb, ( dyno shop tricked out this carb for the prior B302 motor) Distributor and headers.
Find a set of 16" Torque thrust D replicas to clear larger brakes, Wife walks in on conversion while "doing a brake job" See's 8 wheels with "R" spec tires Dad gets a free set of 15" torque thrust D wheels and some pretty fresh rubber to go on his Ranchero!
Do have a clear plan and work your plan. I did all of my work other than paint. I can tell you that I spent far more than buying a M3 new off of the lot.
I'm thinking of buying a 1966 GT Fairlane once I get back to work. I have a wife with MS that's nearly bedridden and I'm cook, cleaner, bread winner. I will most likely buy a finished car at this point due to lack of time. I will sell the Corvette that I bought with the funds from selling the Mustang. This car is almost perfect but I want a Manual trans.
1966 Ford Fairlane Coupe for sale | Hemmings Motor News