Jason in LA

There is a '65 Fastback that I'm interested in buying. I guess it's going to be tough to answer my questions because I don't have any pictures of the car, and have not started it up either. Any info will be helpful.</P>


The car has been sitting in the back yard of one of my parents neighbors. To my knowledge the car has been sitting in the same spot for about 30 years. Growing up I never saw the car. My dad told me about it a couple of years ago. </P>


It doesn't have body damage, but it's in bad need of a paint job. It's been sitting uncovered for all these years. Good thing it's in LA, where the weather doesn't get too bad. All the tires are flat. The car probably hasn't been started in 30 years. From my understanding the father bought the car for his daughter. She drove it for awhile, but then she wanted anther car. So the Mustang went to the spot it is sitting in right now. I think the car has about 50,000 miles on it.</P>


My questions are, how much should I offer on this car, and what would I be getting into if I bought it? Would a car that's been sitting around for years need major engine work? </P>


I know this is very limited information. I'm just trying to get an idea about what I should do.</P>

bob emmerich

O.k.-I'll give it a shot.</P>


The car has been sitting 30 years, in the same spot, I would have to believe the floor pans are shot, and possibly the frame rails. Engine work would most likely be the least of your troubles. </P>


What I would do is this: Ask the guy how much he would like to get for the car andif you could take a good look at the car. Check for rust in the frame(floors are easy to patch, frame rails are a bit more complicated),rear 1/4 panels,bottom of the doors,bottom of the front fenders,the front frame rails in the engine compartment and around the front/rearwindows. </P>


If the car is in decent shape rust-wise, it may be a good idea to pick it up, engines and transmissions are easy to find/get rebuilt.</P>

Jason in LA

Thanks for the info. This looks like a project that I'd like to get into. I just don't want to end up paying too much for the car. I'm thinking somewhere between $2-3,000 for the car in it's present condition.

bob emmerich

That sounds reasonable. If the car is complete and has it's original parts, I would go for it. Just remember, rust wreaks havoc on these, not to mention snakes,mice,bees,hornets and other "pests" love to use a disabled car for a home. Be very wary when you approach it. Keep us posted on it, and if possible I'd love to see some pics. Bob

hotrodman

THAT IS SOME LOW MILES???

bigchalupa

Probably just saying its 50k, theres no way to know since it turns over at 100k

meich75

If it's judt sitting in his yard for 30 years he'll probably let it go for a lot less than 2K just to get rid of it. I assume he has no plans for it and may be willing to let it go cheap just to have someone restore it.

65Fastback_4spd

Always start low its easy to offer more hard to offer less.