I can't help much on the value, but I think it's funny that I'm reading your description and thinking that's exactly what I wanted, a car I could tub, cage and restomod and instead I ended up having a almost all original car fall into my lap, that I'm too afraid to restomod because it's so nice.
Good luck and I hope you get it!

 

I have a nice Trans Am that i do race but would feel almost guilty doing that to this car. I guess 20 years ago when he bought this car thoughts were different.Atleast he didnt tub it and kept it mostly original.One thing i did notice though on the motor when I looked at it last is that it had three 2 barrel carbs on it.Sounds like a joy to tune that...

 

Without having pictures and the extent of what you want to do compared to its current condition (stripped for drag race), I'd probably say $7-10k. You are looking at all new interior, rims and tires, rebuilt transmission, and driveshaft. Those items alone will run about $5-8k+ unless you go with used stuff. If the body is perfect and doesn't need a paint job, the upper limit of that estimate would be close considering it is a shaker car (assuming its original). I paid $8k for my grabber blue mach and it was complete with all new interior, it just needed a little engine work and had a new-but-crappy paint job. I got a pretty good deal on it though, but it still needed work.

 

I think you would have an easy time converting it back, if the only major mods are roll cage and aluminum door panels and seats. Yeah it's gonna cost a little to find seats and replace door panels and carpet, but hopefully the rear fold down seat stuff is still there; that's going to be the big ticket item on the interior, and sometimes hard to find in decent shape. I would definitely say between $10-12k would be good price without seeing pics. And I think the 428 is a nice mod to keep, and if you come across an original 351 in the future - bonus.
Hurry up and get us some pics.

 

I didnt see the 428 part of it. yeah that'll add a grand or so to the price.

 

I was thinking about 10k myself with the work that will need to be done, i am picking it up for 6k so it just makes me feel a little better getting a good deal.The shaker hood is original other than 428 badge and not the original 351.I guess it is a 428 clone per say.The scoop itself is not currently on the car due to the carb/induction setup on the car but i beleive he has it in a box in the back seat.The car is not exactly in the budget right now but if i wait around without commiting to it it will be sold quickly, he hasnt mentioned selling the car to anyone else and i want to snatch it up before someone else does.So getting it on the street may take me a little time.I am supposed to go to his house either tomorrow or next week, I'll take some pics to post up.Thanks

 

welcome aboard.

sounds like you have a frankenstang

if you want an original car imo you should pass on this. The cost and labor to replace what is missing can be mnid boggling. what ever estimate that you have in your head can be easly trippled even if your doing most oif the work not to mention the hassle of locating parts.

for instance my interior just cost me $1500 less the headliner and i did all the work my self including the upholserty. and i wasnt missing anything. my first guesstamet was $750. one thing leads to another.
i did the front seats then the back looks like hell. I did the back and then the carpet look like a mess. I did that and then the dash looked crumby, after that the door panels needed a dye coat. whew gald in done with that job

if you just want a nice weekend cruiser and keep it the way it is and if it passes inspection then go for it.

also if it was raced id bet youll need a rear rebuilt sooner than later

 

I was estimating $2000 for the interior with a standard non-folddown seat. This assumes entire dash is not needing replaced. Carpet, seats, rear seat, deluxe door panels, head liner, and rear panels. A new C4 will run about $1500 for a standard one, and thats a bit on the high end. Throw in a $100 for a nice used driveshaft. Rims and tires would be another $1000-1500 depending on type of rim and brand of tires. You're at about $5k for those items. If the engine doesn't run, expect another $2k for a rebuild on an FE....or get a 351w for a cheaper rebuild. It definitely would not be more to repair than what it'd be worth in the end, but I cannot stress this enough CRAWL UNDER THE VEHICLE and see whats down below. Look at the floors, frame rails, torque boxes, etc. Bodywork is where you dump the majority of the money into. I'd rather supply all new interior than to replace the front or rear frame rails.

IMO $6k is a good price and if it becomes too much of a project you should have no problem getting your money back out of it.

 

I definally wouldnt be restoring it back factory original any time real soon, just want to get it running and inspected for now.He has new carpet he ordered for it still boxed up so i think that was his plan as well. The rearend is supposedly a strongly built original 9 inch but does have 4:56 gears so yea a new set of gears will definally be needed.The car didnt see many passes at the track from my understanding only a few weekends so it isnt beat all to hell, actually i looked under the wheel wells and didnt see any rubber buildup at all. One great thing about the owner is he is very maticulious, the car has never been kept outside and for what it is , I think really nice. I'll have to post up some pics.The dash definally appreciated not being left in the sun it isnt cracked or faded. When you wipe away the dust on the paint it is pretty impressive.I wish my '06 trucks paint was as nice...

 

If you really want to go back to original motor and interior then sell the 428 and use it to finance the new parts. 351W motors are not hard to find as well as a FMX trans. The remaining interior parts can be found on auctions or aftermarket. Most of us have bought cars for 6K and then dump plenty in them. When you do an interior you buy everything anyways. The original rims are out there and new rubber is a given anyway. Look at it as a very good project car and not the rusted out buckets people think are gold because it says Mustang.

 

you have a gift! keep the 428 and somewhere down the road get a 351 for future use. most folks if buying would prefer the 428 and pay more for it. the rest of the resto is easy so good luck and loking forward to pics. wes

 

If you part out the 428 you will probably get most of your $6K back. If all of the shaker is there (air cleaner bottom, mid plate, scoop and snorkel) it is worth $1K easy. The 6V carb setup is worth another $1K. A complete correct 428CJ motor is worth an easy $5K even non running. Just the dizzy alone might get you $500.

If you are going to keep the big block and need a C6 then contact Broader Performance. For $1500 - 2000 you will get a quality tranny/converter. Be aware that the crossmember, correct shift linkage and linkage lever(on the tranny) will cost you about $500 and the linkage lever must be put in when the tranny is put together.

I would not try to convert this car back to original. The money you put into it will not be recouped because the little stuff that you don't have eats you up. You are going to have $8K in the motor/tranny alone. The car would probably still be worth more than what you have in it but that is because you got it at a great price.

 

Dump the 428 and go 351 Cleveland with FMX. There's plenty of used parts available to go close to original if you choose. Grabber blue have had two that color, first in 72 would love to have another.

 

Thanks for the opinions.I am not hell bent on keeping the car all original, i know it actually isnt practicle right now but something to always have the possibility to do.It will be work getting this car on the road but luckily I have some good, ford savy friends to help out.I will have some pics to post up early next week

 

Finally got some pics of the car. Did find out that atleast the front seats are still with the owner not sure about the back seats yet, the drivers side seat has a tear passenger side is aged but no tears but even better is all inside body panels are here as well. Not sure of the shape since i havent seen them but the owner told me they look good.They are packed away in one of his storage areas.On a bad note I did notice a split in the dash, not too bad but there.The original shaker hood pieces are with the car, i seen them today in a box of original parts for the car.I"m glad that he kept the parts he tore off the car for sure.The paint doesnt look too good in the pics but I have cleaned off a small area and it is much nicer than it appears here.Tell me what you think.

 

Looks to be a fairly complete car. It's gonna take some work to change it back to stock. You can sell off the speed parts to help finance the restoration. $6,000 would be a good deal for that car in my opinion.

 

Agree!

 

If I was you i would snap that car up in a heartbeat.....if you want to put it back to stock, you are starting with a good platform...if you just want to dust it off, get it running and go looking for Chebbys...have at her.....personally, I would not change a thing.....a big block powered Mustang even if not original, and maybe a little raw, appeals more to me....there are many restored cars out there, nice to see something a little more modified...
Tom

 

Nice!!! I love it, that car is just begging to be resto-modded and turned into a mean street/strip machine!

Makes me realize what a great deal I got on mine, paid a little less and mine is about 95% complete. Here's the link for comparison since we have very similar cars: http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/614681-new-vmf-70-mach-1-a.html
No pics of the interior, but I'd give mine a 9.5 out of 10.

 

This is a fantastic deal at $6K. The body looks really good from the exterior view. How solid are the torque boxes, rear rear wheel well lips and trunk drop off? I have a restomod 70 Mach1 351w with a shaker. If I were you I would go back to original interior and keep the 428. Since it needs a trans., a TKO 5 speed would be a nice addition. Good luck and let us know the progress.

 

Nice car CplDaughterty, definally got a great deal on that one.I will be keeping the 428 in the car and just going to try to get it running for starters.I'm thinking from there I'll cut out the cage and install the original interior panels and seats back in and just kinda go from there.I'm sure it will take some time to get it going but hopefully she will be on the streets before too long here in Central Texas.Thanks for the opinions.

 

Alan, the torque boxes,wheel well lips as well as the trunk look good.Luckily here in Central Texas rust it is pretty dry and rust isnt too bad of a problem.I agree with you I like the 428 and will be going back to the original interior as I can.

 

I would almost leave the cage in till you decide what you wanna do. It would suck to take the cage out and then decide you wanna restomod it and put one back in.

 

The cage will provide the frame structural support that I really like in a mustang with a high torque engine. For a classic mustang on the street, I would remove the cage and install a subframe connector system (like TCP), they are not very expensive and will prevent body damage. Just my preference.

 

I agree with the subframe connectors, luckily they are already there.The cage is not real tightly installed and a back seat ride for my sonn would be rough with the way the cage is made.I'll stick wit the subframes and remove the cage more than likely.The tracks around here only require a cage when running under a 11.50, so if I feel I have to take it to the track that gives me some room to play.I need to sit down and see what all has been done to the motor, he did mention some head work and a cam but I was fumbling through some paperwork in the car and seen that one of its last passes out before the tranny blew it ran a 7.86 1/8th mile which should put it at a low 12 second car. Just a little slower than my heads,cam,big stalled LS1.I don't want to make it a track car ultimately,from what i have read up on this motor ,repairs will be costly.