Beating a dead horse.... My $500 66 Mustang coupe build.

[Blue]

Back story..

About a year ago I picked up a 66 Mustang 6cyl, that ran, with a title, for $500
It is rough, but my wife told me we were buying it before I could even look it over.

The deal was made and I trailered it home.

Shortly after I bought an old 55 series one Chevy truck, that was ratchet strapped to a 95 S10 frame, and that moved to the front of the line. Fast forward 5 months and the truck is on the road and driving, so the Mustang moved to the #1 position.
(truck build here http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31571 )


Started on the car in Jan, so I will catch you up on the last few months.

Car before being loaded and taken home

My son who has now claimed the Mustang as his, removing the fender

before he got too far disassembling the car, we pulled it into the garage.
Then we pulled the engine and fenders.

then removed the suspension and undercoating, and it is starting to look better

I was able to find 2 brand new fenders on Craigslist for $125.
Still black EDP coating on the back side, and a coat of primer on the front.

Then I found a set of wheels, regular price $179 each, and I got 4 of them for $69 each with free shipping!!!!!

 

[Blue]

Then I installed a Mustang II cross member.
I was looking at different 5 lug disk brake conversions for the Mustang, and most of them needed V8 spindles which are pretty expensive
then I would have to change out all the steering too.. Turns out a Mustang II front end was cheaper once you add it all up.

Started on making some shock tower fillers as well

Lot more room now for different engine choices

the Mustang II front end comes with boxing plates to box in the stock frame before adding the crossmember.. I may have gone overboard, but I decided to box in the whole "frame"...

Cleaned up, painted

 

[Blue]

Next up, I finished the right side frame rail, and mounted the suspension on that side, along with the rack and pinion..

Fenders are just resting there, still need to clean the firewall, after I tackle the dreaded Mustang cowl repair

I got some tires delivered and mounted
So I narrowed my rack, mounted up the front tires, and pushed her out of the garage,
and spun her around so that I can start work hanging the new rear end.

Once the rear is hung, I will work on firewall and cowl.. then I can do floors and start assembling this thing..

Hard to see without the proper stance, but should look good

I was able to rip out the old 6cyl rear end, and wheel the new 8.8 under it.

Looks like I might have lucked out. I was expecting to be a hair too wide, and was planning on slitting the rear quarter flare and pulling it out an inch. Looks like I might get away with rolling the lips (after installing the new quarters of course)


Old rear coming out. Right side front leaf spring eye snapped off when removing the bolt through it.

Old and New (new will be painted before I am done of course)

Trial fit

Apparently a full width Explorer 8.8, 18x9 wheels with 6.18" Back space (30mm offset) and 275/35/18's is almost a perfect fit on a 66 Mustang

 

[Blue]

Man.. A sane person would have scrapped this thing..

I started cutting out some rusty frame rails.
Last foot and a half or so were bad, so I took it all the way back to about the axle centerline.
That way I can also tie the new rail into the crossmember that the shocks mount to.
Figure it can't hurt to try to strengthen it up a bit..

Rusty rail

made a new rail

Trunk rough cut back to clean steel.
Now I need to build a cradle for a fuel cell, weld that in place, then I can clean cut the edges and drop a new floor in.. Then it's onto replacing the trunk extensions once I have the new floor to weld to.

on a side note, to save some money and so that I can steer the car when I push it around, I cleaned up an old Grant steering wheel. I am going to grab some stainless steel allen head bolts for the holes. It will do for now

I also got a new steering column.

 

[Blue]

Made a cradle

test fit

and view from rear

Got some new parts sitting in my office here at work

a pair of quarters, pair of trunk extensions, a front valance, and a rear valance..

I was able to tack down the center of the trunk floor, an fit and tack one trunk extension..

There was multiple layers of metal riveted over rotted metal, screen in other spots, all then smoothed over with bondo..
All getting cut away..

Still have to tack the trim panel on the rear, and make a small patch where I cut the floor a bit longer than the patch panel
(should have waited for it to get here before cutting, lol) but it's progress..

I will probably do a roll on bedliner coating on the floor like I did in my Roadrunner.

 

[Blue]

Got a quarter cut off, and the new one fit.

But I did test fit the quarter... going to be MUCH better

Got some new tail lights (lenses, buckets, bezel, all the screws, etc) new fuel filler (with gasket and screws) new gas cap, and not shown, but got new reverse lights (bezel, gasket, lens, etc) that will go into the new rear valance.

Later I am going to see if I can make a new top for the fuel cell so I can attach it to the stock fuel filler..

I think once I get a trunk lid, and rear bumper, everything behind the doors will be rust free..
Then I have hours of welding to fully weld everything out.

Anyway, couldn't resist a little test fit of lights, and fuel filler/cap

starting to fit the wheel house.
Lower part of trunk extension needs to be trimmed once quarter is fit,
you can see white line in lower left corner of picture where I started to mark it.
At least they mentioned that trimming is required in the part description.
(it is listed for a 1965-1970 Mustang, and we all know the body style changed in 67)

 

[Blue]

Ok.. this brings us up to date.. remember the Blah?

New wheel house, lots of welding, wire brushing, grinding, some POR, and Tada!

Now it's on to the other side... Ugh

 

[Skip]

What was that about a sane person???

Wow! nice work. [cl

 

[Tripper]

Lookin' good & nothin' better than a father/son project!!! [cl

BoB

 

[forbigpicture]

Nice work Blue, looks great........

 

[Country Misfit]

That is really looking good. What kind of paint did you paint the inside of the 1/4"s with? Is it something that will not flame up when you weld the 1/4 on? I'm just asking so I know what to use when I do some body-work..Thax

 

[bob w]

This is an amazing "save". Great work!

 

[Bamamav]

You think that one was gone? Check out these threads, these guys know their Mustangs and do things I'd never try!

http://www.gearheadtalk.com/forums/...66-Mustang-Coupe-Restomod&p=297712#post297712

http://www.gearheadtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?37627-Beware-of-fresh-paint

http://www.gearheadtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?32068-1966-Mustang-needs-a-little-work

http://www.gearheadtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?26955-1965-Mustang-rust-repair

 

[Blue]

Bamamav

I have seen most of those builds, but there were a couple I had not seen.
Thanks

Ok, been doing a TON of welding in the trunk, wheel wells, got both quarters tacked on,
rear end finally bolted in.. Pushed it out to clean the garage, and snapped a few pics..

Need a bumper and trunk lid and the back will be about done!

and a quick photoshop where I would like it to sit once the engine and interior are in it.