Hello all, I've been lurking for a while, also enjoying the FAQ section. I'm a new member and haven't purchased a car yet.

My first car was a '65 coupe, 6-cylinder, 3-speed with a bench front seat and A/C. This car was in immaculate condition with the exception of faded paint. Being a 16 year old kid, I sold it to get a car with a V8. Second car was a '68 Cougar, which I'm told by a friend of mine was a 289 K motor car (not sure I believe that but he knew a lot more about cars than I did back then). I wrecked the Cougar within 36 hours of buying it.

I've mostly worked on 4x4's (Broncos and Blazers) but I've done suspension, brake, engine, interior, etc. I did a complete resto (maybe resto-mod is a better term) on a '75 Bronco taking it all the way down to the frame. I did everything on that truck except for thebody and paint.

Now to my plans ......

I would like to find an early car, my preference being a '66 (because of the round v. horizontal speedo, I know stupid) and I would love to find a convertible. I plan on a 5 year (or so) project with driving in between major projects. Initially, I just want to make sure the car is road worthy. First modification would most likely be the Granada disc brake swap (not sure about power or manual). Next would be a suspension rebuild just to freshen things up. This actually may be done at the time of the brake swap.

Next on my list will be a T-5 swap.

Next would be an engine freshening. Nothing wild here, justa warmed over 289 with an eye towards FI'ing it in the future. Hopefully in the 300-325 HP range.

Then, if I still have any sanity left, I'd like to do an Air Ride suspension.

Somewhere in this process would involve the body work and paint. Since I'm no bodyman, this will be new territory for me.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone has any words of wisdom for me, or sees any omission in my plan.

Thanks.

 

Welcome! Where are you from in Texas?

 

welcome

 

Yeah, us Texicans need to know to whom we are talking. You have a bunch of questions that should be asked in the order in which you need them answered. I am in Wimberley near Austin in the hill country. We have Texas members all over this part of Texas as well as others in the Houston area.

 

My advice would be to take your time and find a car with a solid foundation. I leaped before I looked and have spent the last9 months replacing a complete floor, firewall, cowl, cowl sides, wheel houses, 1/4 panels and dash. It really didn't look that bad when I bought it...but after I got it home....So my weekends have been spent doing the grunt work...not to complain, because I had never done it before, so it was fun. BUT if I had it to do over again, I would be patient and find a solid body car. In my opinion, all the motor,running gear, upholstery, trim can be done alot easier than the bowels of the body....just my .02 worth...Good Luck!

 

I'll definitely look for the best car I can find as a starting point. With my experience in body working, it'd cost a fortune to fix up a rust bucket. I'm kinda worried about thinking I've found a good car only to get it home and find out it needs floors, trunk, quarters, wheel houses, cowl, etc..

Thanks for the welcomes! I'm in Houston, BTW.

 

Welcome AxMan,,, +1 on the rust, and remember you can always "transplant" a 66 dash into a 64 1/2 or 65.... so don't let this issue make you pass on an otherwise good buy, if you don't mind changing the dash,,,,

 

I wouldn't let the shape of the speedo affect my decision, that's just a preference.

Other than the areas I've already mentioned (floor, trunk floor, quarters, cowl, wheel houses), what other areas should I be concerned with (rust wise)? Also, does anyone know of a good inspector I could hire? I'm fine with evaluating mechanical systems, even OK with electrical systems, I'm just afraid of getting a real rust-bucket.

Thanks.