dorante

I have a 66 Mustang Coupe, which I bought (received) new on July 10, 1966. It is hard to believe I have had the car for 39 years!! It is the only thing I have had longer than my wife (35+ years). I just retired and plan to restore it. It is very much all original. Red (repainted twice) / black interior, 289-2V, 3 Speed, AC, PS, AM radio. It has about 250K miles. The engine still runs strong. It has never had a valve cover off. I did replace the timing chain. Interior is all original (not Pony). There is one minor tear in the dirvers seat, but all other interior is in very good shape. My son, when he was three, did poke a hole in the headliner. He is now 21 and is helping me with the resoration. There is very, very little rust on this car. It was originally a Louisiana car, but now resides in Virginia. I didn't take it out in the snow, so it has seen little or no salt. The painter I showed it to could not believe how good it looked, and how little rust. To protect the rear quarter panels, I used to pour oil in them inside the trunk. It worked. I also would pour oil down the cowl, so my "top hats" are in great shape also. I learned this from my old man. Environmentally bad, but can save a body. I miss him very much.

I plan to complete the restoration by next summer. I will probably give it to my son. His wife to be wants to leave the wedding in it. Amazingly, this will be the same car I drove from my wedding in 1970. At least he won't be going to Nam, but he is in the Air Force Reserve, and may go to Iraq. Hopefully, that mess will be in better shape next summer.

I am going to upgrade it in the restoration. I plan to add the Pony interior, a 4 Speed, and a console. I am going to save the original engine, and replace it with a rebuilt 302, 4V with electronic ignition. Do you have any idea how many sets of points I have replaced in nearly 4 decades! I even have a couple of dwell meters, if anyone knows what they are. I will be throwing away a lot of worn original stuff, but I don't have room to store all the parts I replace.

This Mustang served me very well over it's life. I paid $2,685 to Clark Ford in New Orleans in 66. They are now out of business. It is to good to see Mustangs, a signifianct part of automotive history, being brought back to life. Hopefully, this car will survive for anther 40 years.


Tom Doran
King George, VA

blueangelfightr

Welcome to the forums. It's a pleasure to have you here. Have fun!

xRockThePonyx

Welcome! What a great story! I hope the restoration goes well so your son can use it in his wedding.

I hope he doesn't go over to the sandbox- I have many loved ones in the military, but have been lucky that none have gone over there. My boyfriend especially, who is in the army reserves. Tell your son thanks for his service!

v8stang05

welcome to the forums

jowen

welcome

fnkyscotty

Welcome to the forum and wow....that's awesome...ur stang lasted so long..its like ur a grand wizard