Hi everyone, I'm new here, this is my first post. I am in high school, looking for a cheap, interesting car, and on craigslist I found this 1966 Coupe 289 C-4 for $1000
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/478733789.html
On a whim, i emailed the guy for pics, and it's pretty rough, has not run since 1991. As a kid with not much experience in car mechanicals, would something like this be really too much? Hypothetically, how much money/time would this take to return to running, more or less mechanically sound condition? I wouldn't be looking to turn it into a full restoration or anything, just a car to get me too and from school. I have reliable transportation if need be (and for winter), and lots of time. So, am I a total nut for considering buying this?

Thanks, Robert Mickelson

 

figure a couple hundred dollars to a couple grand

 

Probably not something you want to tackle unless you are committed to it. You will put a lot of hours into the car. I would guess the money will get into the thousands. Will the engine start? If the trunk floor is that bad the floor pans may be shot as well, and the shock towers. Those have to be dealt with if they are bad. Pull up the carpet to check. And of course, there is the ever evil cowl...the part under the cowl vent in front of the windshield. Pour a gallon of water down the vent opening between the windshield and hood and see if it drips out under the dash inside the car. If it does, you are talking major work. My seemed in good condition and I dropped about $1500 immediately on a new cooling system, brakes (not just new shoes)and all new belts and hoses and seals.

 

am from minnesota ,,, bought my 66 here in az,,,,anywhere there's salt you got major issues,,,running condition is a dont't care option if your're in the long haul thing,,,, as it will all have to be done,,maybe not right away cause it's a 66 and smog rules and such,,the major isues are the salt.... as it makes it way around it EVERYTHING,,,eats the heck outa everything that you can see and those that you can't which is even worse cause you can't see it and costs twice as nuch to fix,,,,,,,,if it's a lark / bug thing to do... buy it for a grand ....if you REALLY have the money to burn and beat the emissions thing,,if your long haul goal is to have a classic of any kind,,,save your money get one from down here or back there thats solid as all gitt out,, you might pay more up front,,but save in the long haul

 

if you dont want a major project i would stay away from that. in the ad it says the floors and framerails are as bad as the trunk...that takes alot of time and money to fix and being in high school also i know that we dont have much of either. try looking for something with a lot less rust

 

pass :P way to much work

 

Way too much work for what you're looking for.

Pass on it and keep looking....

 

From what it sounds like you are looking for, you should keep looking. Being in high school and probably not wanting to fix a lot, spend more up front and get a solid car. Then you can spend a little money here and there to get it running good.

Best of luck!!!

 

you can get a good running mustang for around 3-4k. im not sure what your budget is but keep looking around