Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Kevin Spence (email redacted)

I have had a 72 Mustang for YEARS (since 1979!) and I am real attached
to it, but when it came to restore it, I found that there was a badly
done frame job on it and a LOT of rust under the non-original vinyl
top. I had contemplated cutting the roof - I even went so far as to
order the inner frame rails. Then I took a deeper look into the
project, and decided I didn't want to spend the whole summer cutting and
welding. So the project sat.

I decided to wait until a rebuildable convertible came along. My plan
was to get a rolling chassis and literally put on it every item I could
from the coupe. I've looked for 10 months. There were a lot of $5000
cars out there, but I refused to spend that much. I didn't want a
running car, just a solid body. Finally, I found a car in California:
no floor rust at all, car had been sitting for 2 years, had junkyard
tires and rims, it had been broken in to, the top was ripped up and
radio stolen, everything was rained on inside, but the important
convertible-specific stuff was there (pump, moldings, etc.) - even the
conv top switch wasn't broken. The car cost $2250 - a HECK of a lot
cheaper than doing any welding/cutting/bondo. And I know it won't fold
up on me at 70 mph.

The best part is that the entire interior from my coupe is going into
the convertible - air conditioning, console, deluxe seats, deluxe door
panels, tilt wheel, etc. When I'm done, I'll still be sitting in the
interior of the car that got me through High School, but it will be
roofless. I'm also moving the entire drive train (1970 351C 4V 11:1,
Toploader, 9" to the convertible, along with the RAM AIR set up and
Magnums that the coupe currently has. To me, it was easily the best way
to retain some of the sentiment of the old car, yet enjoy riding around
topless. The key is PATIENCE!!! Keep looking and you'll be a lot
happier. Just think about how bad you will feel if you are half way
through your coupe->conv cut/weld project and then you happen to find a
rolling chassis for sale for $2000? You'll be kicking yourself for
spending money on converting the car instead of just buying a good
starter car.

Good luck either way - but I sure am glad I waited...

Kevin
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Kevin Spence Owner, Peregrine Technology
(email redacted) Office / Cellular (702) 255-2661
PC / LAN / Internet Support for the Las Vegas valley ... since 1990
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (email redacted)

In a message dated 4/8/99 1:01:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
(email redacted) writes:

Other stuff trimmed

<< rolling chassis for sale for $2000? You'll be kicking yourself for
spending money on converting the car instead of just buying a good
starter car.

Good luck either way - but I sure am glad I waited...

Kevin >>

here here - This sounds like a winner to me too...........

Tom C (whose's welded a few floors & frames too...)
'65k fastback
'82GT

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