Pro Touring Mustangs? Need a crash course!!

[toofun]

OK,

I have owned my share of Chevys mostly chevelles and camaros, but lately I have had a hankering to build a pro touring Mustang!! Problem is I am a MUSTANG VIRGIN!! I have very limited knowledge about the Pony Car... So I am looking for advice or experiences with these cars from others that may know them a heck of a lot better than I do. The better years for suspension, the better trannys, rears, and motors. 2+2, GT, SHELBY, 350GT, FASTBACKS, There seems to be a TON of differences between and inbetween models!! Anyone give me the pros and cons of mustangs? I gotta admit, when I see a 66 or 65 fastback I love the lines. Also like the lines of the 67,68 fastbacks and the mach 1's. Problem is I dont know which years and models to look for and which ones are big headaches and models I should stay away from. Any help would be greatly appreciated..

MARK
TOOFUN

[69Pony]

My opinions only but I've owned several Mustangs over the years so here goes...

65-66 - like you said nice lines but weak mills and rears (8") if you are looking to build it up think about swapping the rear to a 9".

67-68 - great looking cars but unless you are looking for a GT500 I would recommend the 68 FB. It has a stronger frame with 2 torque boxes. 67 only had a drivers side. These years have the most aftermarket support. A 68 FB is sweet slammed....

69-70 Machs - The 69 Machs is my favorite of all the Mustangs. Certainly the meanest looking. Funny though - not a fan of the 70. Without the side scoops and 4 head lights, they look well - plain.

71-73 - IMO butt ugly vehicles. Big, bad visibility, nasty interiors, etc... Second only to the Mustang II as the worse looking Mustangs ever made.

All are rear leaf and all have shock towers. I would say that would be the downside to all 65-73 Stangs.

Engine bays can be tight and are narrow but long.

Mustangs are in vogue and have been for some time so their price is high. Coupes are cheaper but really don't have a big following or considered collectible unless there is something special or unique. FB's, GT's, Machs and verts are the ones everyone covets.

Things to look for are rusty torque boxes, rear quarters (rust area), check the vin carefully if you are looking for a true GT or Mach. Leaky rear windows on the FB and Machs. Check the trunk for sitting water.

I am in the process of building my Mach as a PT. What I plan on doing is 4-link the rear (or Air-Ride), coilover the front and pull the 351 Cleveland and replace it with a Roush 427IR. Lower it several inches, shave the door handles, remove the drip rail, etc... It only takes money.

Again, these are only my opinions so those early 70's owners need not flame me. Different strokes....

For a good magazine check out Mustang Monthly. For good web sites check out www.69stang.com (http://www.69stang.com) and www.stangnet.com (http://www.stangnet.com).

Not to rub it in to the Chevy crowd but at local shows people pass by the She-velles and Camaros and head straight to my Mach. Not many around (ie survived) so that adds to the value.

Here is a link to my car http://www.1969stang.com/gallery/COZ-69Mach1

[4MuscleMachines]

I've had all the years and the 71 is my favorite. It drives better than the rest of the earlier years, steers better, and feels more solid. The 65 (first in picture) had Global West suspension all around, 427 stroker, TCP rack, ect.

The 70 Boss 302 has TCP suspension/rack all around, six piston Wilwoods, 6spd Richmond, 17" wheels, ect. More of a road racer with the NT01 Nitto tires.

The 71 Boss 351 (my favorite), has a stroker engine (original 44k drivetrain on the cradle) and is currently receiving a 6spd trans. It has global west all around and a bunch of other PT stuff. I think it looks the meanest of all. Here are some pics, the first 71 pics show the car with 17's, the latter with 18" Budniks.

Us Ford guys know the 71 Boss 351 is the fastest production Mustang LOL, but I would really like a 68 done pro-touring style.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/54kdymu-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/682r29x-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6fzh7ya-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/4r2sxtu-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6gxjhv8-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/5z4jsrp-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6bn57kj-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6fzbbyo-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/52fwajp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/4u305uc-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/4p3u0b4-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/4kduvbr-1.jpg

[Steve Chryssos]

Tony Huntimer did a whole pro-touring book on Fords aka "restomod". Available at Amazon or directly thru him. Just google Tony Huntimer. He's, like, famous!!

[toofun]

Thanks for all the input. One more question. What is the difference between a 1969 mach 1 and a 1969 fast back? I looked at both pictures of them and cant see a difference appearance wise. Is there a difference?

Mark
TOOFUN

[kmcanally]

The Mach 1 is an appearance package that was only available in the fastback body style. Most engines, except the Boss motors, were available in any body style. Coupes deserve some lovin too...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/IMG_4173-1.jpg

[Z06killinSBF]

65-66 have smaller engine bays and interiors.

Holding it up for the coupes....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[fast Ed]

Also check out www.vintage-mustang.com (http://www.vintage-mustang.com), good resource.


cheers
Ed N.

[preston]

Here is the 3rd generation of my '67 going together.

TransAm inspired tube frame, SLA, 3 link, 15" engine setback, twin turbo all alum 427, bla bla bla the usual crap.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/SideviewrearbodyworkrawsmallJPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/sideViewBodyWorkRawsmallJPG-1.jpg

[Z06killinSBF]

Here is the 3rd generation of my '67 going together.

TransAm inspired tube frame, SLA, 3 link, 15" engine setback, twin turbo all alum 427, bla bla bla the usual crap.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/SideviewrearbodyworkrawsmallJPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/sideViewBodyWorkRawsmallJPG-1.jpg



Yep, usual crap.


WTF?:confused: That thing is SWEET!!!! More pics.

[preston]

Aluminum honeycomb reinforced space frame:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/Chassis901-1.jpg

Early mockup of the suspension (all custom designed race stuff, but setup with jonny joints for NVH streetability:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/SuspMock4-1.jpg


And two pictures of the gen II car to give you an idea of what's coming - this version is evolutionary so it will be very similar, but with better bodywork and many, many small changes mostly aimed at streetability.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/FrontTurbosWithTiressmall-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/SideViewPaintedJPG-1.jpg

You're also welcome to peruse a bunch of crappy pictures at :

http://www.carter-engineering.com/preston/newchassis

I like this one for some reason, putting it together:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/Attaching20roofJPG-1.jpg

[muthstryker]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/SideViewPaintedJPG-1.jpg





horrible car dude.........




very very cool mustang:worship:

[Joey_H]

How about a Foxbody Mustang?? Cheaper to buy and all the money saved can be used on mods.

[toofun]

Anyone from the Sacramento area? I have a car of interest out there that I would like a mustang guy to look over for me. PM if you are interested.. I am from the mass area so flying out there would be very very expensive and starting a new job this week so it would be a no go time wise anyways. Let me know I would appreciate it.

Mark
TOOFUN

[Z06killinSBF]

How about a Foxbody Mustang?? Cheaper to buy and all the money saved can be used on mods.

Good point to, but with the early 4.6's being so cheap you get one of those. Do a PI swap, cams and get plenty of power for pennies.

Just another angle.

Im down with the early stuff though. I would say there are more, cheaper parts for the 65-66, but the 67-68 are more versitle. 69-70's are more of a pain IMHO. Harder to find parts and they cost more initially.

[toofun]

More questions for you mustang gurus... I see the term "hertz-renta racer" alot in ads... What does this means exactly?

BTW I think I know what I want... a 65 or 66 shelby gt350 thought I am fast finding out that a CLONE is the only feasible option since real ones are way crazy!!

Thanks
Mark
TOOFUN

[vanzuuk1]

Preston , are you planning any mods or are you going mostly original?


Seriously,that is a sick car.

[Z06killinSBF]

Back in the 60's, Hertz and Shelby got together to market a performance rental car, much like todays Mustang rental. They had the Shelby mods (motor, disk brakes, suspension, interior, everything) and were paint black w/gold stripes. I think some came in white as well. Too bad alot of guys rented them and swapped the Shelby motor out for their regular 289. Basically its a G.T. 350 with Hertz badging.

[Z06killinSBF]

If you want some history info and just facts, head up to the book store and thumb through one of those classic mustang books. They have a TON of info on these cars.

[Restomod]

Preston,Very DTMish....I like it!!

[BA.]

Preston, my hats off to your fabricating skills and for making such a cool machine!!

[Benoit23]

I've had all the years and the 71 is my favorite. It drives better than the rest of the earlier years, steers better, and feels more solid.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6bn57kj-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/6fzbbyo-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/52fwajp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/07/4u305uc-1.jpg




Dude, I totaly agree with you & I love your '71. There is only a small portion of us that think the 71-73 Stangs are the best of the Mustangs. I'm currently on the hunt to buy a 71-73 Mustang to trick out. This is my Dream Mustang.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[preston]

Yeah part of me sees the 71-73 as overweight bloated 70's smog machines, but actually - they can look pretty damn cool when done right. As usual its all about the stance and trim or lack of it. I like the 71-73 convertibles too. Of course as mentioned you have a weight penalty, and to me the 71-73 are much closer cousins to the later model musclecars than the lighter weight more nimble "pony" car.

But as mentioned they are also nice because they have a lot more modern features, for exampe, a real saginaw p/s box instead of that goofy control valve link like the early cars.

[Benoit23]

I do like the Muscle Cars better than the Pony Cars. I do understand that we are the minority to like the "Fat Mustangs". My dad use to have a '67 Mustang coupe & I love that thing but for some reason I like the Bigger Aggressive looking Stangs better. I get patronized for liking them but, I’m no sheep I like to be different.