I plan on purchasing my first Mustang in the next year so I'm a total noob. I'll be looking for a '64-'69 hardtop coupe. I'd be using it as a daily driver with a moderate highway commute (averaging about 100 miles a week). I'm not interested in making it a show car or racing it, although I want it to look good.

My question is with regard to what to purchase. There are some Mustangs out there that are beautifully restored and run $20k-$30k. Then there are some that are operational but need a lot of bodywork and a decent amount of mechanical work going for less than $10k. My gut tells me that purchasing a "raw" vehicle and making the upgrades and repairs that are most appropriate for me makes the most sense.

Can anyone provide any advice on whatelse I should be considering when making this purchase decision? If anyone has any resources that they think I should read up on then feel free to provide them.

Thank you very much. Any insights would be appreciated.

 

Picking up a "raw" mustang depends somewhat on your area and what you are looking for. I picked up my 67 C code coupe for $4000, it runs, drives and all the good stuff you will need for daily driving. It only needs minimal body work, a decent enough paint job. If you do plan on getting one as a daily driver get a fixer upper because then you can customize it for what you need. If you can afford a $20K-$30K mustang stock you can afford a $5K fixer upper and upgrade it from stock. Upgrade to an overdrive transmission auto or manual, disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and suspension upgrades.

Kind of the idea of owning a classic, make it your own, especially a hardtop that are in plentiful numbers.

 

Welcome Wayman to MF!

It takes a special breed to use a vintage Mustang for a daily driver. 40+ year old cars can be a bit cantankerous.

If you're set on 64-69... I'd go with the 69 coupe. They are not as popular as the fastbacks and therefore can still be had for a reasonable price. 69s also had more creature comforts and you're more apt to find one in decent shape.

Look for the most expensive one you can afford. Seriously. I would caution against buying a cheaper car with intentions of fixing it up. That is a hobby for weekend mechanics.

 

Thanks for the responses to both of you. That's the kind of stuff I really need to know.

Is there a resource somewhere that may outline the differences between the different model years in the late 60's? You mention that the '69 models had some extra creature comforts. It would be useful if I could figure out what those are and any other differences between the other models.

Thanks again.

 

Good starter for all mustangs is www.mustangspecs.com

 

With each progressive model, the car became more refined. 1st Gen cars (65-66) were little more than reskinned falcons. The 67-68s were wider, bigger, more powerful, and had more comfort. The next gen (69-70) were even bigger and more comfortable. Previous earlier year options like power steering, power brakes, A/C, disc brakes, etc were common on the 69-70s.

If you buy a car that needs work, you'll find yourself working on it alot. If you're looking for a DD, find one in better shape and then update the maintenance....rather than overhaul.

 

After doing some more research, I am most focused on the 1968 hardtop coupe. Does anyone have any recommendations on "for sale" resources besides this site?

 

I strongly recommend craigslist because its a local classified and you can go see the car, make sure it checks out before you buy it. You can use this site to check multiple craigslist listings at once, its really efficent, http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/ms.cgi

I would avoid eBay almost completely, I never have trusted that site for vehicles because you really don't have a chance to check out the vehicle before you buy it, you have to trust the seller. Especially with a classic, you don't know what is going on with it, rust, mechanical, etc.

 

68 Coupe is an excellent choice!! Thats what I was going for but ended up finding a 69 for a good price instead.. Try looking on www.collectorcartraderonline.com

 

'68 coupes should be easy to come by - you can also put a free "want ad" on your local craigslist - can't hurt.

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