Ok, so we are new to the mustangs and to restoring as well. I say we cause its actually me and my wife. Her dream has always been a classic mustang so a couple of days ago I picked one up for our anniversary. Well I was on here yesterday with my starting problem which so far I think has been taken care of. Now my first question is where do we start? She is a 1966 mustang coupe all original with the straight 6 auto tranny. The body seems to be very straight but hassome little rust spots or bubbles trying to come thru the new paint the previous owner put on her. The floors are pretty much all gone. I don't know much about this at all and don't really know what to be looking for. The interior is bad too. She does run very smooth and quiet though. We have never restored anything though I am some what mechenically inclined. I would like to do alot of the work but I have no welder so I know most of it will have to be done else where. I would like to upgrade the suspension, add power stearing and add power brakes. I am also thinking somewhere down the line to upgrade the motor to a v8. Now with all that in mind where do I start?
Thanks
David and Claire

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Welcome to the site. There is a lot of useful knowledge here and some very knowledgeable people. Also when it comes to restoration and projects check out "mustang monlthly's" web site (popular mustang mag with helpful tech articles) as well as a lot of personal web sites of members who have documented there work. ( http://www.midnightdsigns.com/james/ http://home.bresnan.net/~dazed/DazeCars http://www.mustangsteve.com/ http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howtoguide/index.html just to mention a few)

THe picture of your car looks really nice, but, your description of the floor boards makes me think you have some pretty serious (but common) restoration issues ahead - new floors, perhaps (probably) new cowl, maybe some other issues like frame rails. These are all quite common and many people on here are or have been in the same situation so there is plenty of help, but the point is you have to assess the cost of these upgrades vs the cost of maybe looking for a different car before you go too far. Then there is the inline 6 vs a 289 (V8). It's easy to get excited about all this, but it's easy to get frustrated as well so take a long thoughtful look and when you decide, go for it. It's just fun.

Ste7of1

 

Welcome!

You will really have two options here. The first onewill involve purchasing an inexpensive welder and a few other metal working tools and learning how to use them. The second option ishiring someone else to doyour metal repairfor you.

The first will more than likely be the most economical, and the most sure way to get a good repair.

I recommend that you do all of your work in stages, where you complete one project, get the car on the road drive it for a little while and then do the next project... This way neither your wife or you get tired of the car being un-drivable.

You might consider keeping the six and changing the transmissionto an overdrive unit,andthe axleto one with 4.10 gears.

One of our stages, (in my case "our" = my son and I), was when we had theI-6 and stock tranny in the car with new brakes, suspension, steering, and a 4.10 rear axle, the little car was a kick to drive!

 

I agree with Ste7of1 as to the cost aspect. If you have no timeline as to driving around town, I would get the body structural parts first. Don't worry about cosmetics or interior, or motor too much. Once the body is sound, put in a new front end (I don't know what style brakes you have, but if you plan to get a V-8, you will have to get different spindles, V-6 spindles are different). My personal opinion, as long as it's safe to drive, it doesn't really matter if it breaks down somewhere--get it towed. If it's not safe to drive, chances are you won't get the chance to break down--and it will get towed.

 

First, welcome to the forum!

Be sure to check out the FAQ section of the forum as well. There is a wealth of info. therealone.

I would want to know the frame was safe 1st, move to the floors and maybe subframe connectors (If you want them), then since your engine/trans. seem fine go to suspension/steering, brakes, body and end with interior and other detail work. But that is just my opinion.

And yes as JMD stated above, do it in stages if you can.

You have a start - you have the car. Now spend some time reading upon the restoration tips and modification ideas. Look the car over well with this new knowledge. Decide what what needs to be done, whatyou want to tackle and what you want to have done. Make a spred sheet form of your proposed budget (Based uopn your recearch) then add 20% or so to that to get an idea of ture final cost. Keep your planned mod's in mind as you go so you don'tneed to re-do work you have already finished and finally, open your wallet and have FUN!

 

Thanks for all the welcome and all the recomendations. I am going to definately take in what Ste7of1said and try to figure out if it is worth keeping this car or looking for another one that will better fit us and be a better beginner as well. I am going to post on here and see if there are any members in or near Mckinney TX that would be willing to meet up some time and take a quick look at the car for us.
Thanks again guys.
David and Claire

 

[sm=welcomesign.gif]Sounds like you got some good advice. Good like and keep us posted.

 

Yeah I did get great advise. I'm hoping to find someone around my area from here in the forum that might meet up with me to take a look it you know...
Thanks
David

 

If no forum member responds that can take a look at the car for you, check to see if there is a local MCA chapteror vintage Mustang club near you. Contact the club and ask if they know someonethat might look it over for you. Most clubs have several knowledgable members who would prob. do it without cost and be pretty straight up with you about the car.

Hey, it can't hurt to ask.

 

Thanks guys, I think I found someone that is willing to help me out. 65poppy works near me so he said we can work out a time. I will keep yall posted.
Thanks
David