New Guy Looking For Advice

[g8rnbft]

Originally Posted by Wizzy

True, I guess "project turn key" could be better phrasing. A car with some flaws but good bones for the right price is what I'm looking for. Dennis and I have restored several cars and between the two of us have several years experience in paint, body work and auto repair.

To answer your question on dollar amount, it all depends on the condition of the car. I would be willing to spend up to $25k for a complete but imperfect car.

No IRS, no heater, no wipers, no power steering, no power brakes etc. Carbureted small block ford is preferred. Most of those things could be upgraded later on (which I would prefer to keep initial cost down)

Cars exist in the price range you have stated - they are few but they exist. Two examples I know of personally. First was a gentleman from Raleigh NC who had a FFR Mark 2. Stock 302, carbureted, with only the drive train salvaged from a fox body Mustang. He and his college age son drove all over east coast and made many trips to western NC to spend 3-4 days driving the twisty mountain roads - and then one day he decided it was time to move on. He listed the cobra for $20,000 and sold it sight unseen for that price. Two days after the sale he bought his next adventure - a cherry Porsche 911.
And then there is me. I bought a FFR Mark 2 that was sold initially in 2003. The buyer passed away before titling the car. I purchased it for $22,000 and titled it with 167 miles on the odometer. I made some easy, mild mechanical adjustments and in the first two years put 16,000 miles on it - mostly trouble free. Never had to be towed though. In the last three years have added about $8000 in upgrades ie fuel injection, suspension, and stroked the 302 to 331. Pushing 400 hp now. I run with Superformances, Backdrafts, Uniques, West Coast, and one Kirkham - and am not ashamed of the car in the least. In two weeks I will go to Texas for the forth time. I am 73 years old and when I can no longer get in and out and drive safely I will sell it - probably around $20K. You should be looking at the classifieds on FFcars.com if you aren't already. When you find a car you have to be quick - it won't last long.