67mustang302

The classics are a completely different animal. A 400hp classic has about the same manners as a 600+hp late model. Leaf spring cars, with the older less engineered chassis handle completely differently.

You'll also need a bunch of suspension and chassis mods to be able to control the car or not damage the chassis (unibody).

dragman72

point taken.

rwcstang

yeah im pushing 450hp at the crank, so I had to get subframe connectors and strengthen up the shock towers.

also suspensions/brakes to handle and brake well is recommend!!!

67mustang302

The sad truth is that classics need a lot of suspension/chassis work to get them to properly deal with modern power levels. They leave a lot to be desired in that dept.

MonsterBilly

I have a 66 with a 331 and I'm having problems keeping it straight. I have a lot of suspension work done too.
Before the 331 I had a well built 302 and it was fun to drive and I had no issues. This new engine is a whole new puppy. It's like a completely diff. Car. In fact I can't keep it in one lane while leaving a light.

dragman72

Got her out yesterday and completely understand the "old car feel" She was fun to drive defiantly gets attention. Gotta be honest I don't know how I feel kind of thinking about going back to new stuff though.

67mustang302

Classics have a charm of their own.

*cough*

guitarman376

There's no denying that classic leave a lot to be desired. Like blank canvasses, many of us own similar or same cars but its how you put paint on the canvas or how you build your car that makes it interesting. Ideologies stay the same: make car faster, stiffer, brake better, modernity, styling etc yet look at how far some people go with their builds and how different two cars from the same year can end up being...its awesome! You will never find the same degree of uniqueness or individuality with late models, unless its something like a custom show car.
I am well aware of classics' shortcomings, however I still decided it would be cool to try and make a 69' handle like a beast but keep it very driveable. I've got a good start, lord knows I've got more ideas/plans for the car, but pursuit of a goal is what keeps this and many other projects rolling.
And I am pretty sure I've never heard someone say they regret buying a classic mustang Usually they regret ever having sold theirs!

67mustang302

Yeah, only met people who regret getting rid of it.

You can get a Classic to out handle most modern performance cars, if you're willing to put the time and money into it. Also keep in mind, that most people can't extract more than about 60-70% of the max performance out of their car due to lack of skill/knowledge in how to drive it.

Money spent on driving lessons is money well spent.

dragman72

I consulted a friend and we are gonna make some suspension mods. He noted original owner set car up wrong and that was the cause of the majority of my concerns.
Gonna order new shocks, springs, sway bar, etc. Its gonna be a touch more project than I was expecting but I really like the car.
You guys are right I have had 30 different cars/trucks in my 14 years of driving and my mach 1 is the only one I miss. Don't wanna make it two cars.