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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Classic Mustang Purchase to Restore

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Expert: - 1/6/2008


Question
Hello,
My husband is traveling a fair distance to look at a Mustang for me that is either a 1967 or a 1968. He has done restoration work on Chevys (completely restored a '66 SS Chevelle) but is unfamiliar with Fords.  Can you give me/him any advice on what to look for when he goes over this car? Are there any places on Mustangs that are notorious for going bad? The car has been sitting in a field for 5-10 years but the glass is all there, the paint looks good, and everything original is still in the car, even the pony interior. He is going to pay $500 for it. Does that sound fair? Thank you for your help!

Answer
Under the best of conditions these Mustangs would rust and you would end up with a moon floor. If you are in the desert then rust is not a concern but if you are in the northern tier of the country be carefully of rust. They do make replacement panels for Mustangs but it can get to be a lot of work. Remember that this is a unitized body meaning that the body and frame are all one piece and rust attacks it all.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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