I just purchased a '65 Mustang and a few of the first things I want to do are to replace the front seats (they are not OEM or Aftermarket seats for the '65), replace/add a center console and intall some new seat belts. I have a few questions about where to find parts. Does anyone know a place to get the front bucket seats? I looked on e-bay, but most look pretty worn out. I was hoping to find a place that sells replica seats at a decent price. Same goes for the console. The seat belts are a different story. Do they make aftermarket seat belts with a shoulder harness for the older Mustangs? If anyone can point me in the right direction on those, I have a little 5 year old passenger most of the time and I want a good seat belt for him. Thanks for any resources you guys can pass along.

 

Most of what you seek is not available complete as new, only as parts (some or a lot of assembly required). That leaves used and if you tell us where you are, we may have secret sources for used parts.
To give you an idea of what's available, try www.npdlinks.com This is the link for National Parts Depot which is a good source for price and availability. There is also www.virginiaclassicmustang.com and www.mustangsunlimited.comto do some catalog searching.
Jim

 

Thanks for stopping by! If you'll add some info to your profile, it will help the group usually answer your questions.

Bucket Seats - To find original replacements, most times you'll have to scour the craigslist or ebay or other For Sale sections of message boards to find seats someone has pulled. Plan on buying a seat with torn upholstry and ordering new TMI or other brand upholstery. If you're more interested in safety than in originality, there are several later model Mustangs that had high back & latching bucket seats, as well as several aftermarket styles that fit a 65.

Consoles - there are two types to buy...either the original units, which are typically an ebay type item, or the "humphugger" aftermarket style sold by the parts houses like NPD, Texas Mustang, etc. The oem consoles, in good shape, are bringing a pretty high price.

Seat belts..there is lots onthe internet about installing 3 point seatbelts. Take a look at my website below for some ideas, as well as do a search for the subject here. It's been discussed in several posts.

good luck

 

We need to know if you truly want to keep the interior original as possible, or mod it. JamesW can tell you all about how to mod it with much of the new safety equipment, and I and others can tell you how to keep it original.

 

Thanks for the replies, I will check out some of the resources you have suggested. It appears this is not going to be as easy as I hoped to find replica parts. As far as the look, I would like to keep it as original looking as possible, however; if it comes to a point where I am paying through the nose for obviously inferior products safety wise, I will have to change course. I am located in Dallas, and I know there is a Dallas Mustang, but I have also heard enough stories about them that I would prefer to deal with someone else. I could have sworn there was a vintage Mustang shop around here at one point in time, but I wouldn't know where to start looking for them.

 

There are two or three classic Mustang specialty shops in the metroplex area. Dallas Mustang is the best known for parts, but they are not much different than any other mail order house, except you can run down there after work or on Sat morning to pick up a part. Other than that, it's cheaper to buy out of state and save the tax.

Start with the North Texas Mustang Clubhttp://www.ntmc.org/ as a resource for finding vendors and shops. The members can help you with their experiences. They will know who the good upholstery shops are, or guys who specialize.

One thing tho... your comment about 'obviously inferior products safety wise'. You're facing a delimma... these 42 year old cars were simply not designed to the safety standards we expect today. They are by definition 'inferior' to even the cheapest of modern cars. Spears for steering columns, 4 wheel drum brakes, missing or poor seat belts, low back buckets, loose steering, unshielded gas tanks, etc..etc...

These cars are what they are...

 

JamesW is right. These classics are not safe cars. If you are looking for a safe car, then buy a newer Mustang, or heavily mod these so it will be safer than what they are if left as an unmodded classic.

 

no, what I mean was, if I am going to have to fork out $300 for a replica bucket seat, that by being in the same style as OEM seats, is inherently not safe, I would rather spend that money on a good, safe seat and forget the OEM look.

any of you guys deal with mustangpartsmall.com? I found on there a set of bucket seats for $60. Will need to be redone, but I think the price is very good.

also, anyone got a bead on a good aftermarket a/c system that would fit a 302? I know there are a few out there, just curious as to the best place to get one.

 

Seats: Mustang seats thru 70 will fit your car as a bolt-in item, 71 to 73 are different. A high back 69 or 70 seat may be what you are looking for.
Seat belts: there are aftermarket three point belts available, I got a set on my 66 hardtop. They require some drilling and installation in the moderate difficulty zone. There were rear three point belts available for a while but seem to have disappered. In California we got laws that require kids to sit in the back - strapped in with three point (and duct tape?).
Console: used 65-66 Mustang from e-bay ($200-300) or a hump hugger type. I have a hump hugger that fits over my full length console.
Other stuff: brakes, tires, suspension.
And - how much are or can you do to get all that stuff done?
Jim

 

not sure I understand you last question....

but thanks for the advice on the seats, that might be what I should look for. There are some highback seats in it already, but they have seat covers over them, so I assume the uppolstery is pretty trashed. Might just have them redone. It has a 5 lug conversion and an 8.8 rear on it. I am going to eventually go to discs brakes, just not quite were to start in that respect. I know there are conversion kits, but I haven't researched into how the match up with the 5 lug conversion. Not a law for kids to ride up front...what if you only own a pickup truck? It is safer in the back for sure. But since there are no 3 point seat belts for the back, I am gonna put in the 3 point in the front and have him ride up there. I would think it is a crap shoot between which is safer at that point.