I just purchased a 65 fastback in need of much work. I will be restoring the car as a restomod since many of the original parts are missing. I would liketo install disc brakes, better front suspension, 8.8 or 9" rear end, air conditioning, power steering, new high back seats (fox style?), a mild street motor (302 ,351W or 5.0), automatic transmission, new steering wheel and a new radiator. I think that I would be better off getting as many of these parts off of a donor car if possible. Which donor car would allow me to get the most of the items that I am looking for?

 

Any 65-66 V8 Mustang for year specificparts. What engine and tranny are you starting with? You can look above your head and you will see a FAQ section in the stickyor top section. Click on that and you will see a ton of how-to's. You can also go to the bottom of this page and find the search section. Just type in a major word of what you want to know and you will read past discussions on just about any topic you want to name. Welcome to our world of classic Mustangs. Post often and keep us informed of your progress. We've all "been there done that."

 

It has a 289 that is out of the car and is rusted to the point that I don't think I can go back with the original. It does not have a transmission in it but I think that it had an auto. I wanted to upgrade from the original parts and go with something newer without the cost of buying brand new parts. Thanks for the help!

 

Unfortunately, just about any 65 or 66 you may find in the price range of a parts car will be a rusted out wreck. You will have to go with aftermarket parts whether it be the body or the mechanics. Rebuilding a classic Mustang from the dead is not cheap. Unless you have some serious cash, forget it.

 

From the things you said you wanted I don't think ther is a best parts car except if you are considering a mustang II front suspension which a mustang II would be good for that but most likely alot of the parts you want will be worn out and need replacement. Your best bet is to look after market at mustang plus, national parts depot, mustang unlimited, and yearone to just name a few. As for a 8.8 rear they are not as good as a 9" and will require a lot of cutting and welding to work. You can get a pretty much bullit pruff currie 9" from summit for about $2000 including the center section. I would go with a crate engine for the motor that way you know what you got as soon as you drop it in here is a link to the place I work at you can judge for youself if it will work for you. If you like what you see you sould plan on about 6 to 8 weeks from when you make a deposit to shipping they are custom buit engines.http://tandlengines.com/

 

Please, nobody steer any fastback, nay, any classic Mustang towards the butchery of a Mustang II front suspension.[sm=badidea.gif] For the money and work that it will take, you could go with the Granada brake swap, new stock performance suspension with the Shelby drop and either a used factory PS system off Ebay or a bolt-on rack and pinion steering.

To the original poster, even "parts car" early Mustangs are not cheap, and if they are, the parts will be junk. Unfortunately, you're undertaking a somewhat expensive project. The good news is that you have a platform that is desirable.

 

Yup, like I said, unless you have some serious cash, forget it.

 

A few more links for you FAQ is also a good place to look, and its jegs not summit who has the rearends.
http://mustangunlimited.com/
http://nationalpartsdepot.com/
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...56727_-1_10141
http://yearone.com/