What would you prefer?

[caspian65]

My vote is for whatever makes you happy, but from a monetary perspective and getting the most bang for your buck, I would suggest that fixing the rust spots and touching up the car might be best. If you want a complete paint job that will last for many years, the car really ought to be stripped down to do it right. Depending on how much cash you got coming your way, maybe you could consider getting another one to play with?!

 

[Epperstang]

Repaint as is, no stripes. That picture is pretty.
I put GT stripes on my non-GT coupe and there are many times I wish I hadn't. Maybe a small pinstripe would be ok.
IMO Lemans and ghost stripes are overdone.

J.

 

[66coupe]

First and foremost, it is your car, so if you want stripes, you should have stripes. I used to have a couple of Vettes and I got so sick of seeing people make an effort to screw things up just because the factory did a halfa**ed job when they built the cars. You need to be happy with what you do. If you want a car that will judge well at a Mustang show, then your options are somewhat limited, if you are doing the car for yourself, then do what you want. I am an aircraft mechanic and I used to work on small planes. I have seen a lot of touch up work over the years. I have seen planes with 30 year old paint touched up where they got a perfect paint match. Then a few years later, the areas that were touched up still look good and the rest of the plane looks bad. You can match old paint, but paint really seems to age faster and faster as it gets older. Just something to think about.

 

[RustyRed]

I was talking to my buddy some more and I think paint is a good idea. My paint is about 15 years old and the red on the side is sort of "orange looking" in the right light. I personally think it would help preserve the car, etc.

Going to take a pass on the stripes though and just repaint it like it sits now.

Even if I got a small scratch or chip or whatever it wouldn't be as bad as it is currently. If the paint is fairly new then a touch up wouldn't be a big deal and buffing out a scratch would be even easier. At least I wouldn't have the huge rust bubble on the front of the passenger's side door and things of that nature. There is also some minor rust at the bottoms of both doors I'd like to head off at the pass.

I don't care about taking my car to a show and having it judged so concourse issues don't make a hoot to me. I prefer one that is slightly modified here and there to make it more drivable. My motor is not exactly stock anyway but I don't care...it's my car and I have to live with it / drive it has always been my thinking.