60's Mustang query
Discussion
Hi all
Its still a way off, maybe next year due to a new baby just arriving! I've started to look at 60's Mustangs as a first classic (and something that the OH, and the little one could come in too) the Fastbacks look to be out of my price range for a second car, but I do like the look of the coupe, a convertible would be nice for the summer too!
Problem is, I'm not very mechanically minded, if the right one is purchased, are they relatively reliable and easy to keep going?
James
Its still a way off, maybe next year due to a new baby just arriving! I've started to look at 60's Mustangs as a first classic (and something that the OH, and the little one could come in too) the Fastbacks look to be out of my price range for a second car, but I do like the look of the coupe, a convertible would be nice for the summer too!
Problem is, I'm not very mechanically minded, if the right one is purchased, are they relatively reliable and easy to keep going?
James
jamesbilluk said:
Problem is, I'm not very mechanically minded, if the right one is purchased, are they relatively reliable and easy to keep going?
Yes, and yes.Plus parts supply isn't a problem, pretty much everything is available from USA on the net at the click of a mouse, and there are several UK based specialists as well as enough US car specialists in UK that can do any bigger job you can't tackle.
aeropilot said:
Yes, and yes.
Plus parts supply isn't a problem, pretty much everything is available from USA on the net at the click of a mouse, and there are several UK based specialists as well as enough US car specialists in UK that can do any bigger job you can't tackle.
Brilliant, thank you. Will have to start my long search with which one now! Plus parts supply isn't a problem, pretty much everything is available from USA on the net at the click of a mouse, and there are several UK based specialists as well as enough US car specialists in UK that can do any bigger job you can't tackle.
To do it properly, yes there’s a few around.
These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
Classic cars are no where near as safe as modern cars but as long as you’re aware of that it’s never stopped me driving and enjoying mine
These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
Classic cars are no where near as safe as modern cars but as long as you’re aware of that it’s never stopped me driving and enjoying mine
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Wednesday 17th July 13:29
stuartmmcfc said:
To do it properly, yes there’s a few around.
These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
Classic cars are no where near as safe as modern cars but as long as you’re aware of that it’s never stopped me driving and enjoying mine
Many thanks These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
Classic cars are no where near as safe as modern cars but as long as you’re aware of that it’s never stopped me driving and enjoying mine
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Wednesday 17th July 13:29
Think it will be used for weekends and local journeys (and to go to classic Le man's next year)
The Cougar looks a great looking car!
This will be my first classic so will have to do lots of research!
stuartmmcfc said:
Just remember you’ll probably have to do a bit of work re the seatbelts to enable a baby to travel with you if that’s what you ever intended
Depends on how you want to do it. It's not that difficult to acheive as I've fitted 3 point belts to all 4 seats on my '65 coupe - mainly for car seat purposes in the back.'65-67 will have lap belts, and often have them on all four seats. If it's a "new baby" as the original post suggests you can get the first size car seats that work with lap belts. This will buy you some time to sort things.
'68 on will have three points belts (or at least the mounting is behind the headlining if the belt isn't fitted) for the front seats on coupes/fastbacks.
There are kits to fit the three point belts in the front of the early cars which are simple to fit. I've got them in my '65 coupe.
https://www.cjponyparts.com/install-mustang-3-poin...
They place the top mount lower than is perfect but it's still got to be a damn sight safer than lap belts.
Fitting rear belts is harder as there's no kit. I put large plates under the parcel shelf as the shelf itself isn't strong enough to just bolt through. The top mount bolts through these and then I used the lap belt mounts for the bottom two mounts. It was a bit of messing about as like anything one-off there's a bit of trial and error to sort.
To go back to the original questions. There probably isn't a classic car easier to look after. You'll probably want to modify it to suit your needs but everything is available. When buying concentrate on bodywork (learn how to check the lower cowl especially as that's probably a deal breaker). Resales aren't great on 6 cylinder cars even when converted to V8 - check the VIN number, the fifth will be a T if it's a 6 cylinder (you might find a U code but that will be rare). Watch you don't overpay for a coupe as prices vary dramatically. I've seen decent ones go for £15k recently but some traders are selling them for £22-25k. Remember that the US doesn't have an MOT so new imports might be a bit shoddy with the minimum done to pass one. There are plenty of Mustang groups meeting up around the country, try to get along to a meet to talk to some owners and look at some cars, as you'll learn loads that way to help buy a good car.
stang65 said:
Depends on how you want to do it. It's not that difficult to acheive as I've fitted 3 point belts to all 4 seats on my '65 coupe - mainly for car seat purposes in the back.
'65-67 will have lap belts, and often have them on all four seats. If it's a "new baby" as the original post suggests you can get the first size car seats that work with lap belts. This will buy you some time to sort things.
'68 on will have three points belts (or at least the mounting is behind the headlining if the belt isn't fitted) for the front seats on coupes/fastbacks.
There are kits to fit the three point belts in the front of the early cars which are simple to fit. I've got them in my '65 coupe.
https://www.cjponyparts.com/install-mustang-3-poin...
They place the top mount lower than is perfect but it's still got to be a damn sight safer than lap belts.
Fitting rear belts is harder as there's no kit. I put large plates under the parcel shelf as the shelf itself isn't strong enough to just bolt through. The top mount bolts through these and then I used the lap belt mounts for the bottom two mounts. It was a bit of messing about as like anything one-off there's a bit of trial and error to sort.
To go back to the original questions. There probably isn't a classic car easier to look after. You'll probably want to modify it to suit your needs but everything is available. When buying concentrate on bodywork (learn how to check the lower cowl especially as that's probably a deal breaker). Resales aren't great on 6 cylinder cars even when converted to V8 - check the VIN number, the fifth will be a T if it's a 6 cylinder (you might find a U code but that will be rare). Watch you don't overpay for a coupe as prices vary dramatically. I've seen decent ones go for £15k recently but some traders are selling them for £22-25k. Remember that the US doesn't have an MOT so new imports might be a bit shoddy with the minimum done to pass one. There are plenty of Mustang groups meeting up around the country, try to get along to a meet to talk to some owners and look at some cars, as you'll learn loads that way to help buy a good car.
Many thanks for the brilliant reply '65-67 will have lap belts, and often have them on all four seats. If it's a "new baby" as the original post suggests you can get the first size car seats that work with lap belts. This will buy you some time to sort things.
'68 on will have three points belts (or at least the mounting is behind the headlining if the belt isn't fitted) for the front seats on coupes/fastbacks.
There are kits to fit the three point belts in the front of the early cars which are simple to fit. I've got them in my '65 coupe.
https://www.cjponyparts.com/install-mustang-3-poin...
They place the top mount lower than is perfect but it's still got to be a damn sight safer than lap belts.
Fitting rear belts is harder as there's no kit. I put large plates under the parcel shelf as the shelf itself isn't strong enough to just bolt through. The top mount bolts through these and then I used the lap belt mounts for the bottom two mounts. It was a bit of messing about as like anything one-off there's a bit of trial and error to sort.
To go back to the original questions. There probably isn't a classic car easier to look after. You'll probably want to modify it to suit your needs but everything is available. When buying concentrate on bodywork (learn how to check the lower cowl especially as that's probably a deal breaker). Resales aren't great on 6 cylinder cars even when converted to V8 - check the VIN number, the fifth will be a T if it's a 6 cylinder (you might find a U code but that will be rare). Watch you don't overpay for a coupe as prices vary dramatically. I've seen decent ones go for £15k recently but some traders are selling them for £22-25k. Remember that the US doesn't have an MOT so new imports might be a bit shoddy with the minimum done to pass one. There are plenty of Mustang groups meeting up around the country, try to get along to a meet to talk to some owners and look at some cars, as you'll learn loads that way to help buy a good car.
That should be OK with the child seat, I think it will be ocationally when she will come along with me, should be about a year old by the time I can purchase
But I do like to research early.. Price wise I've been presently suprised, (non fast back or convertibles) but I really like the look of the Coupe.
Just from the pictures in the adverts is there a give away to show if it was a 6 cylinder originally?
Edited by jamesbilluk on Saturday 20th July 00:05
jamesbilluk said:
Just from the pictures in the adverts is there a give away to show if it was a 6 cylinder originally?
6 cylinder cars came with 4 stud wheels in place of the V8's 5 stud. However, it's not infallible as if a conversion is done well then V8 or aftermarket parts will be swapped in and they'll end up with 5 stud anyway. Always check the VIN.Edited by jamesbilluk on Saturday 20th July 00:05
Andy-IM said:
jamesbilluk said:
Just from the pictures in the adverts is there a give away to show if it was a 6 cylinder originally?
6 cylinder cars came with 4 stud wheels in place of the V8's 5 stud. However, it's not infallible as if a conversion is done well then V8 or aftermarket parts will be swapped in and they'll end up with 5 stud anyway. Always check the VIN.Edited by jamesbilluk on Saturday 20th July 00:05
stuartmmcfc said:
To do it properly, yes there’s a few around.
These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
The kit I used (see above) is listed as 65-73 and does all models (coupe/convertible and fastback) so might be worth a look to see if it does what you need?These guys seem to know what they’re doing https://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts...
It’s a lot easier in a coupe than a convertible, as I’m discovering in my Cougar (fancy Mustang!)
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