Buying a Mustang to Restore: Advice and/or Opinion

by Eric Lamb
(Stanardsville, VA)

Question:

No car yet but beginning to look. What would you say is the single most important thing to look for in a potential restoration Mustang?

Answer:

Hi Eric

When looking for the right Mustang for you to restore, I'd say the most important consideration, is finding as complete a car as you can afford.

Some of the most expensive and time consuming parts of a restoration can be finding many small trim pieces, missing or badly damaged body or engine parts, important numbers matching parts for special editions and replacing damaged or missing window and windshield glass.

Beyond that, my usual criteria for a classic Mustang restoration, is either buying a car with a good body and not so good mechanicals, or one with a reasonably good mechanical condition and a body needing more attention.

Chances are, you'll have to farm out some of the work, so if your plan is to build as much of the Mustang restoration yourself, go with your strengths and buy it that way.