Good base car: A pristine 1966 Mustang Coupe heads to Mecum Auto Auction Austin
So, up to this point, we’ve covered some awesome cars. These babies have some great mods and other go fast goodies that transform them into the beauties that dreams are made of. But at some point, you need to have a base car with a solid frame, a decent body without excess rust and a lot of potential.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Finding this type of car is easier said than done. If you live anywhere in the Snow Belt (or by the ocean), chances are good that you have a rust bucket on your hands. If you don’t know by now, salt is not metal’s best friend. Of course, there are ways to repair your rust, and the sooner you can do so, the better off you’ll be.
Rusty classics are a dime a dozen. But every so often, you can find a gem. Especially if it is in the Midwest somewhere like this 1966 Mustang Coupe.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Now, I’m not located in Austin, so I’ve never seen this car in person. However, judging the car by the photos, it looks like an excellent base for any Ford Motor head.
Let’s start with the obvious: the body looks to be straight and mostly rust free. Of course, we can’t see the floor boards or the trunk floor, but so far so good. Body repair can cost a ton and you’ll want to minimize that as much as possible.
Photo Credit: Mecum
Now let’s move on to the stuff that gets me going. This future beauty queen still has the original inline six engine. This is the stuff dreams are made of.
Why, you ask? Because you won’t feel as bad for pulling that less than powerful paperweight out of there. That’s why.
Let me calm the purists for a moment: Listen guys, I get it. If this is an ultra-rare, highly optioned, one of a kind car; then restore it with no mods. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t look like a super rare car. Of course, the VIN would help, but it isn’t listed…
Photo Credit: Mecum
Anyway, now is the perfect time to buy a cheap, classic Mustang to modify and restore. Of course, it’s never that easy. If I’m not mistaken, those are four lug axles, so they’ll need to be upgraded before any serious driving is done. They just can’t handle the power that a big engine will make. But, when you’re in the business of restoring and modifying your car, that’s the name of the game, right?
Photo Credit: Mecum
This is the type of project that could be tackled slowly, a bit at a time. Personally, I’d start with the axles first. Go with a Ford nine inch in the back and convert to five lug disc brakes up front. While you’re at it, I’d make sure everything else is capable of handling the impending torque monster that’s about to get dropped between the front fenders.
Photo Credit: Mecum
The last thing you need is to twist your driveshaft loose…
Then, finally, drop the bigness in her. The smallest engine you should go with is a 302. But hey, bigger is better, right? I’d go with a big block 460, or something along those lines. But what do I know; I’m just a lowly Chevy guy…
What do you think about this Mustang? Yay or Nay?
Photo Credit: Mecum
