New guy looking for help on what to buy or not buy.

[bossbob]

That's a really nice car.

Part of the excitement for me is to build it myself, and end up with something like that. I guess that's part of the stupidity in my. But really part of the fun to me is in working on the car and appreciating the end product.

Like I mentioned above, I've seen a lot of baskets so far, and really trying to identify a good starting point and where I would be comfortable with a starting platform. I've had a lot of mustangs over the years, but with mustangs, I can go online, or drive across town and buy just about anything I might need. And I'm sure your aware, you can't do that with a roadster. So, I guess I am a little picky on what I find.

[2mAn]

I completely understand. I passed on a perfectly sorted car that had all the right parts to spend 80% of the same money on a car that was severely neglected.

[Pjackb]

Bob,
You need to check the 69 in Santa Clara I told you about on the first page before someone grabs it
It Needs some TLC but like 2mAn’s car a very solid base to start with

[jamesw]

If that car is $5,900 then I think you've found your car!

Cheers
James

[bakerjf]

Wow - great starting point!

[AC77]

Not bad at all.

[Pjackb]

If that car is $5,900 then I think you've found your car!

Cheers
James

And I'm almost certain he would take 5K for it

[2mAn]

Yea thats not bad at all! Its a good point to start out with and I already see many things I would want to change. With a $5k purchase price, it will leave you a good amount of $$$$ to make it yours

[spyder]

Bob,
You need to check the 69 in Santa Clara I told you about on the first page before someone grabs it
It Needs some TLC but like 2mAn’s car a very solid base to start with

It's not in the registry.

[2mAn]

Neither is mine and I submitted it a while ago. Anyone know if/when it gets updated?

[bossbob]

Yep, that would be a great car. $5k is a little more than I can do right now though.

My wife would kill me...............

But if I could, I'd drive up there this weekend for it.

[FairladySPL]

Hey BossBob,

I was sympathetic to read now that your project must come in at well under $6K to start with. That rather reconfigures some of the advice you've been getting before we knew the fiscal outlook.

Now it may best be a matter of your deciding what "modules" of a fixer-upper you would feel the most confident at learning and pursuing. I can't stand rust nor having to eradicate and mitigate it. But I'm in the salt belt, and speak from experience you may never encounter.

Mustangs are fairly simple cars, and so are the 311 series. Parts availability, while not a cross-town drive as with the Ford, is healthy, and you've come to the right place for any bits that elude you.

My suggestion is a stock but neglected 1600 from 68-70. They're the most plentiful, the engine has far fewer chronic problems than the 2000, and numerically this variant is probably the most common to find for sale and to support as an owner.

Good luck, and one factor still valid at your price point -- get the best condition car you can find at the outset, rather than the risky gamble of buying real cheap and hoping to make it up with sweat equity.

[2mAn]

Under $5k will be hard, but I agree with Paul/ FairladySPL that a 68-70 1600 will be your best bet. Also if your budget is close to $5k, I would be straight up with that guy and say, "this is the best I can do, if you'll take it I will buy it tomorrow" ... you never know

[AC77]

I think you can find under $5k, you'll just need to be on the ball and have your ear to the ground.

[jamesw]

Yeah, there is a yellow 2000 with a non running engine that was posted on here that would be a good starting point. Buy low and end up with a nice car after some work.