Used Mustangs: A Vintage Rebuild
So you are ready to rebuild that 1964 to 1973 Vintage Mustang. If you are a serious rebuilder from the muscle car era of the 60s and 70s, you understand this will take more than just elbow grease and a big fat wallet.
You will need to spend some time searching for a suitable chassis to start the project off with. Then you will spend countless hours hunting for used or new aftermarket parts.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to locate factory original parts for classic cars although it is not impossible. Some auto salvage yards specialize in Vintage cars and may just have what you are looking for.
You will need to spend some time searching for a suitable chassis to start the project off with. Then you will spend countless hours hunting for used or new aftermarket parts.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to locate factory original parts for classic cars although it is not impossible. Some auto salvage yards specialize in Vintage cars and may just have what you are looking for.
Inspect It
Before you get started, you need to spend a lot of time under the chassis to confirm if the car is worth restoring. Mustangs from 1964 to 1973 are a uni-body construction. If the undercarriage of the chassis is severely rusted, you may want to pass on this one and keep searching for a more suitable candidate.
That's not to say you can't restore the uni-body frame. However, it is a lot more work and requires a lot of skill to repair a rusted out chassis.
That's not to say you can't restore the uni-body frame. However, it is a lot more work and requires a lot of skill to repair a rusted out chassis.
Strip it clean
In any professional restoration, the best bet is to strip the chassis clean. This means removing the engine, transmission, and rear end. Take out the interior and fuel tank and remove the fenders, doors, and bumpers. This may seem like a lot of extra work, but as you take the car apart you will find areas that may need some attention. Perhaps a hole in the body or a loose bolt, or you may even find a missing bracket or two.
Original or Aftermarket?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to restoring a classic Mustang. Do you want to keep everything original in the form of a true classic car? Or do you want to upgrade your ride with the conveniences and technology of today's modern cars?
If you keep everything factory OEM original, the car would bring a higher selling price. However, I prefer the latter. I like to upgrade my vintage Mustangs for speed, handling, and comfort while maintaining that vintage appearance.
If you keep everything factory OEM original, the car would bring a higher selling price. However, I prefer the latter. I like to upgrade my vintage Mustangs for speed, handling, and comfort while maintaining that vintage appearance.
Chassis Upgrades:
The next step is to build a rolling chassis. Replace the entire front end steering with new parts. This includes ball joints, steering arms, tie rods, idler arms, and even the center link. Your new hot rod will be fast; therefore, you need the ability to point it in the right direction.
You need to improve the handling as well. There are a number of aftermarket handling packages available. The upgrade kits include a heavier sway bar, new springs, polyurethane bushings, and heavy duty shocks.
You need to improve the handling as well. There are a number of aftermarket handling packages available. The upgrade kits include a heavier sway bar, new springs, polyurethane bushings, and heavy duty shocks.
Brake Upgrade
Many of the early Mustangs were equipped with drum brakes. Upgrade the front spindles to an aftermarket, heavy-duty spindle with disc brakes. Once you get your Classic Mustang rolling, you will need some serious stopping power. Rear disc brakes are also available today as an aftermarket item and are well worth the effort and price.
Don't skimp on the brake pads. Spring for a set of high-quality brake pads purchased from U.S. Brake, Performance Friction, or Hawk Performance Brakes.
Don't skimp on the brake pads. Spring for a set of high-quality brake pads purchased from U.S. Brake, Performance Friction, or Hawk Performance Brakes.
Horsepower
Bolt in horsepower is easy to come by today. The easiest thing to do is purchase a crate motor. These are built to high-quality standards, produce good horsepower, and are very reliable. You can find a crate motor in most any of the standard Mustang configurations including a 289, 302, 351, 429, 4.6L, and 5.0L.
Body Parts
If the fenders and doors are in reasonable shape, you can prep and paint them along with the main shell of the body. If they are badly damaged or severely rusted, you can easily replace the entire component. Aftermarket supply centers carry direct bolt on replacements for all Mustang Classic Cars. You may also find a fender in good condition at a salvage yard.
Professional Paint Job
After spending hundreds of hours assembling your Mustang hot rod, you don't want to ruin it with an amateur paint job. Take the car to a professional paint shop.
There are two schools of thought on choosing a color. The classic colors of the early Mustangs are available today in a superior paint formula, or you can trick it up with a modern color like copper.
Popular paint schemes include the Shelby Le Mans blue and white stripe package or the Shelby Hertz color scheme, a black car with gold Le Mans stripes.
There are two schools of thought on choosing a color. The classic colors of the early Mustangs are available today in a superior paint formula, or you can trick it up with a modern color like copper.
Popular paint schemes include the Shelby Le Mans blue and white stripe package or the Shelby Hertz color scheme, a black car with gold Le Mans stripes.
Finishing Touch
When it comes time for final assembly, you can purchase direct bolt on parts for most every component of your Classic Mustang. You can buy headliners, door panels, seats, and all of the chrome accessories.
Don't forget the Classic Mustang seat covers with the roaming horses from the pony era and a chrome mustang insignia.
Don't forget the Classic Mustang seat covers with the roaming horses from the pony era and a chrome mustang insignia.
Useful links
- Used mustangs for sale
- At eFord Mustangs.com you can find both modern and classic Mustangs in auction. All generations from 1964 to present day as well as Saleen, Shelby, Fastback, Mach 1 etc.
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