• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

What would you prefer....

lleno

Member
and why?? A vintage mustang that is all original in good condition[nice driver,few minor issues], or an restored car[full resto, but has some aftermarket parts, and a few non-matching parts,maybe 68 mirrors ion a 67 or something like that....]Igo with the original...it's just more "real" to me...I wouldn't feel the same about a car with repro parts,all done over..
 
If the original driver isn't something "collectable", I'd go with the restored car.

It's all personal choice.
 
I was going to say the car can be any Mustang, the question really is Original[very good cond.say a 7.5-8 out of 10], of a full resto[9.3+], which also brings up, which [generally] would have more value??I realize this is pretty wide open, but I'd think the restored car would have more"money" value, and the oruiginal more "hardcore collector" value.....BTW, where are the standard yellow smilies?? All I have are the big black things, they are horrible....oh, they are under the "more" section...hmmmm, some are gone....no more mr.cool??
 
I am struggling with that now. My car is an original M Code but was not a shaker or a 4spd. These were added years ago so the car is not really a collector from the standpoint of being true to its Marti report.

I considered not doing any mods to improve safety and handling but decided anything I do should not really make the car a restomod (no fancy billet or chrome bits) in my opinion.

With that said, I am thinking that my mods won't hurt in the future for someone who may be looking for originality but at the same time a safer car.

In others words I vote for originality but modifications that improve the basic saftey and handling would help.
 
If we are talking which would I buy....if I had it to do over again I'd find one in semi-rough shape and spend a couple of years stripping it, fix all the metal then build it the way I want it. I made the mistake this time of getting one I could drive and fix at the same time. It's worked out ok but I think in the long run if I had it to do over I would have paid a lot less for something that needed to be on a rotisserie long before I ever even dreamed of taking it for a spin.

But more in general I'm somewhere in between. A lot of my car is original but I have done a few mods here and there that improve performance and / or safety. Nothing crazy and a lot of folks who don't know these car wouldn't even notice but I did add three point belts to mine, led tail lights, etc....and I am now running a 302 that certainly is far from stock. But to look at it most of my car "looks original".
 
Depends on the purpose of the car......Original if you want that type of bragging rights. Resto if you like to drive it and don't care about saving the originality of it.

Mine is a Frankenstein because of what I don't know about the history and the parts on it.
I get asked all the time if it is original. Well see that blue engine block...now that's probably original...and the air in the tires?.....restored. :naug :pep
 
I wanted a 66 Fastback GT that would reflect what I would have ordered had I walked into a dealership in 1966 and didn't have to worry about cost. After looking for about 6 years I gave up on finding an original Fastback GT, K-code, 4-speed, Pony interior, etc. The closest I found (in one piece) was a 66 Fastback GT, A-code, 4-speed, standard interior that was in pretty rough shape. I restored it, but added the things I would have ordered: Pony interior, rally pac, AM-FM radio, Styled steel wheels, redline tires, etc. Unfortunately, the original engine was not salvageable for my purposes (longevity). For less money, I went with a 302 roller block (331 stroker) which will run circles around a hipo, but it is still dressed like a 289.

 
Resto - but only if it was tastefully done. The '67 is definitely in the resto department, because I need to drive it everyday. Also, while restoring/fixing certain things, I update the car to my own taste (like putting a 68 grill on a 67 b/c I just want the pony emblem without the coral - and it's easier done with a 68 grill). It's really all personal preference. Good luck!
 
I would just say a driver. whether it be a original or rest mod or somewhere in between really wouldn't matter to me.
 
I have to agree with the safety upgrades,these cars are really pretty unsafe in stock form.What I'd really like to find though is a genuine survivor car....A 65 GT ,4 speed fastback would be my choice.....[K code perhaps?? :naug
 
I mean no offense to those who like originals, in fact I'm glad some people have preserved them. That being said, the only way I'd own one is to sell it and build the car I like. Original cars should be left original as they will only be that way once. I'm not into correct either. I drive, or beat mine on a regular basis and have Rest-modded every Stang I've ever had even when it wasn't accepted. I like Stangs but would never settle for skinny tires, drum brakes, 2 barrel carbs, etc. etc. I can't leave anything alone so it doesn't just apply to Stangs, you asked! :)
 
I have done a few "mods" to my car.....4v intake[original],autolite 4100,pertronix,some new harnesses, and I plan on some larger tires. Some folks consider "any" mod a deviation from original,maybe I should qualify things by stating 90% original. This can go on forever, I know, it is a matter of personal choice as some stated....
 
just looking at Jack1966's Stang and Roarin67's, they are both modified. Jack's "looks" original which is pretty cool, classic Stang style as Ford made it. Then Roarin67 has the "Restomod" look. Both very cool cars and two different approaches. In both cases though, if they were 90% Original, they probably wouldn't drive them. They would at best be trailer queens because driving them wears things out, get's used up and eventually needs replacing/rebuilding. I had a 64 1/2 once. It ad all the early stuff including a generator and a 260. I just couldn't bring myself to keep it because I would have cahnged so much it would loose it's value as an original. Again, I love the restored correct cars and original cars at shows but I couldn't enjoy owning one. I'd go like Jack if I wanted the "look" of an original. It was cool to learn that about his car, (you should add your story to the member build thread)!
 
I'd opt for an original driver. I love tinkering with the cars more than anything else. I dont think I would enjoy a finished car that I was afraid of driving in fear of anything happening to it. I'm finally getting close to getting one of mine into paint, I've been messing with Mustangs for over 18 years and have yet to drive a restored or finished one.
 
Only thing important to me, is if its yours enjoy it. What ever, and where ever that leads you. Once it stops being fun, its just not worth it anymore.
 
"lethal289" said:
Only thing important to me, is if its yours enjoy it. What ever, and where ever that leads you. Once it stops being fun, its just not worth it anymore.

I'd agree. But I bought mine to drive it...not as a daily driver but I certainly drive it about once a week at least...well, when it was running anyway. Hope to have her running again tonight with a bit of luck.

I've honestly never understood owning a trailer queen...what's the point?

My fear is if I ever get mine "done" I'll get bored with it :rofl

But just because it is original doesn't mean you can't drive it. My buddy has one his dad bought new off the show room floor in about '65. His dad and later he have maintained it through the years but it is still all original and never been restored. He drives it now and then. Of course he also has about seven cars and one guy can only drive so much.
 
I'd take the restomod for many reasons. Except for rare parts, most performance parts bring more money than their stock counter parts. It would be easy and cheaper to go back to a really nice stock driver from the rebuilt restomod by selling off the aftermarket parts and purchasing the stock parts.

The real reason, for me though, is that it is WAY more fun to drive a restomod than it is a stock classic Mustang. They're faster, handle better, get more looks and compliments, etc.
 
Back
Top