Hello all I am new here. I just purchased a 1966 Mustang Fastback project. I would like to convert the car into a Eleanor Clone. My question is Will 1968 Sheet metal weld up to a 1966 body? looking to replace the Quarter panels,rear body panel, doors and Nose. The car is a rot box right now and needs alot of work.

Thanks any info would be great.

Tom

 

No, the 68 sheetmetal will NOT attach to a 66. Why not just use 66 sheetmetal? I'm no fan of the "Eleanor" look, I think the original Shelby looked much better, but if you gotta do one, go with the 66 stuff.

 

You have a sharp looking car. I am new to classic mustangs here, Will 1067 sheetmetal fit or can I only use the 1966 stuff. I looked at various photos and the only differences I could see is that there are different flares and side scoops on the quarter panels,doors and fenders.

I guess those can be purchased as options.

 

Not my car, I posted that as an example of a 66 Shelby.

The 67-68 used entirely different sheetmetal than the 65-66.

Turning a Mustang into an Eleanor is a ton of work, more than a restoration. Lotta "Eleanors" never get finished. When they do get driven, all that body filler all over the place tends to crack.

 

Didn't they make an Elanor kit for the 65/66 mustangs?

 

I think the answer to that question would be yes since 2+2 just posted a pic of a 65/66 with an Eleanor kit on it. I like the 66 Eleanor less than the 68 Eleanor and I hate the 68 Eleanor. Short answer is yes kits are availilbe for the 66.

 

Wow, that was nice. Way to welcome and encourage a new member to post and share his build. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but come on, respect the fact that people build their cars how they've always dreamed of. Just because you hate it, that shouldn't give you the right to put him down.

Anyways, welcome to the site Tom. Buy 66 sheet metal for your car. If you are looking for a 65/66 Eleanor nose, www.mustangstofear.com just came out with a 65/66 Eleanor kit. It is brand new and not on their site yet but it is available. Call and ask for Rich, he will lead you in the right direction and will be very happy to do so. Good luck with your project!

Here is a pic of the nose:

 

Glad to have a new member of the Hobby. I am curious though as to your name. What did you stuff an LT1 into?

 

I would really like to see that nose on a car,(and know what it costs) it would reduce the number of parts by a good bit, elenore or not it may be a neat look on any color 65/66 car.

 

Speaking for myself, I'm happy to guide him through it, but I wanted to warn him of the pitfalls, such as 68 body parts won't fit, and all that body filler blending in the scoops and flares can be a problem.

On a personal note, which explains some of my misgivings, while I'm sure there are some well-built Eleanors out there, I've never seen one. I have seen nearly a dozen, and up close they didn't look very well built. A few were kinda scary, like the one with compression fittings on the brake lines.