65 - 66 Restoration Costs
 

I've never restored a Mustang but want to. Dad owned a '66 GT Coupe and I have fond memories of that time & car. I know costs to restore an old Porsche 911 (been there done that), but I'm sure 65-66 Mustang has different "issues" & costs associated with them. Assuming I find a rust free fastback, what should I budget to:
1. Rebuild 289 to 302 HiPo (not too rad 350-400Hp) = ?$.
2. Install HiPo C4 tranny = ?$.
3. Upgrade to all disc brakes = ?$.
4. Suspension upgrades (nice handling but not race) = ?$.
3. Paint & GT'ize with badges, decals, wheels = ?$.
4. Restore interior = ?$.
5. Cold A/C system = ?$ (we live in Hot SoCal).
Also, what should I beware of and is there a best engine code, etc. to start with? Thanks in advance for the advise and help! This is a very nice forum and hope someday I can contribute some wisdom of my own. :D

Here is my seat of the pants estimates. Remember, worth what you paid for them.
1. A 350-400 hp 302? Wow, lots of money. $4K. A 300 hp 302 wouldn't be bad but up to 400 is going to be tough I think. Why not start with a 351W? Dont forget cooling, exhaust, bracing. More $

2. 1.5K

3. 1.5K for kits assuming your own labor. Less for granada conversion and versillis rear. I like kits myself.

4. 1K Lots of good kits out there.

5 (3). No idea, how nice do you want it? 2-8K

6. (4) 1K-2K depending on how much needs done.

7. (5) 1K

There are my highly accurate, and very detailed estimates. Someone else ought to chime in with some other numbers.

I spent $25K to restore my '65 fastback. This included about $2K worth of corrosion control work. Unibody was gutted, restored, painted and reassembled (ground up restoration).

1. Rebuild 289 to 302 HiPo (not too rad 350-400Hp) = ?$.

I chose to use Ford Motorsport crate engine. Cost of engine was about $4,500.

2. Install HiPo C4 tranny = ?$.

I chose to use Ford Motorsport crate tranny. Cost of tranny and associated rework was about $2,500.

3. Upgrade to all disc brakes = ?$.

I did front only, rebuilt drum rears. Cost was about $800.

4. Suspension upgrades (nice handling but not race) = ?$.

I chose to use ProMotorsports Eibach coils and Eaton-Detroit rear leafs (variable rate front, GT rate rear). Perhaps $600.

3. Paint & GT'ize with badges, decals, wheels = ?$.

I chose to leave in "A-code" trim but replaced 100% of the moldings and badges. Perhaps $3,500.

4. Restore interior = ?$.

$900.

5. Cold A/C system = ?$ (we live in Hot SoCal).

Classic Auto Air $1100 ($895+$200)

The rest of the money was spent on fasteners, bits and pieces, modification hardware...this and that. It was the little stuff that cost me more than I expected. Most every fastener was replaced or cad plated as were many small items such as hinges.

Thanks guys --- just what I needed to know. Aren't forums like this great? :-D

it sounds like you want a restomod so these are my recomendations;
1: a 300 to 350hp 289/302 is about as far as you wantt o go for the street. if you really want more build a 351w. either way you are looking at about $2500 min. if you get a crate motor you are looking at about $3000 min depending on where and what you buy.
2: for a good C4 figure about $1200-1500, but if you want a street car i would suggest a lentech built aod. it can handle 500hp easy and you get overdrive as well. if fact lentech goes a step further and changes the valve body shift pattern from 1-3-od to 1-2-3/od and you can get an electric od lock out.
3: for 4 wheel disk brakes you can spend at least $1000 and more like $2000. however you can get good front disk for about $800, and, using the right axle housing ends, you can get late model ford F150 drum brakes for the rear for about $350-450 for currie ent. and have a better braking system than the early shelby's.
4: suspension upgrades will run from $500-1500 depending on how far you want to go. a good progressive rate front coil spring, 1' front bar, 3/4" rear bar, 4 1/2 or 5 leaf rear springs should run about $400. then you add rebuilt upper and lower control arms and you are now in the $700 range. if you upgrade to urethane or midolyne bushings you get in to the $1000 range.
5: for paint and body work i cant argue with $3500 depending on how much you can do yourslef.
6: interior figure $600-1000.
7: a/c you can get a daily driver system for about $1000, add about $350 for installation and charging.