[LaPorta]

Hi everyone,

I realize I am new here, but I am doing some long-term planning to eventually purchase what will likely be a 1968 hardtop. Why 1968? There's a few reasons so far. One is that I like the 1960's style gauge clustering (which seems changed to a more 70s style in 69), but also would like to have shoulder belts in the car as well (which would exclude 1967 unless custom installed). It would be great to have headrests, and I think per my research that there were optional ones available in 68 as well. There's only a few downsides that I can think of that are purely cosmetic for me: the deletion of the FORD hood lettering (I like that so much, I actually installed it on my 2006 GT!), and that the two-spoke steering wheel really isn't as nice looking as the three-spoke of the 67 and 69.

As far as the car itself, for the longest time I had planed to get a 1970 Camaro and restore a true Z28....until I realized that it is way, way more expensive than when I first wanted to twenty years ago (the dreams of a college student). I have noticed that the plain hardtop 60s Mustangs, by and large, are pretty reasonably priced for a decent, non-rusted example that is not some sort of high-end or rare model. So, I figured that that would be my entry point. At this point, I think getting a not original engine car would be appropriate if I am going to do the following: someday installing a refurbished 302 or 390 in it, and mating it with a modern 5 or 6 speed overdrive manual transmission. I wouldn't want to take apart a numbers matching car, and it would probably cost me more for no reason as well.

This is likely going to take me a good two or more years to get off the ground: I am widening my shed/outbuilding just to be able to store it. What do you all think as far as the logic of the plan: does it make sense, is there anything I am missing? Is there anything you would do differently? I am of course welcoming all opinions. Thanks!

 

[PaulyWally]

Just a couple thoughts:

You can buy 3 point seat belts and install them in any mustang. I will be doing this with my 66. Lots of folks have done it and it looks good.

The factory seats in these cars are not entirely comfy. If you want head rests, I would recommend buying the seats you REALLY want, and swapping them in.

It doesn’t sound like you are too concerned with keeping everything as original as possible. If that’s the case, widen your search to other model years. You’ll have a bigger selection from which to choose your original purchase. And it sounds like you plan on spending some $$$ customizing it anyway. So don’t worry so much about buying a car that is as close as possible to your vision. Besides, too many of us start getting into the project, and then decide to change things we didn’t think we would be changing - either out of necessity, or our desires changed along the way.

I bought my first classic (a 66 mustang coupe) just over a year ago. And I'd say about 50% of the things I looked for in the initial purchase are now irrelevant. YMMV. But something to keep in mind.

Many aftermarket customizations on these cars are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and easy to bolt on.

 

[LaPorta]

I appreciate the feedback, thank you. As far as originality, I at least want things to look as original as possible even if they are not. I should have stated that previously. So, even if it’s not, for instance, a 390 car, I’ll dress it up as if it is. I’ll get an OEM style shifter for the aftermarket transmission, etc. so as far as the seats…I have no idea how good/bad they are but I can try them out and if it’s bad, those aftermarket seats sound like a good idea.
Ill also look into those belts: are there any you recommend?

 

[jonk67]

Welcome and good luck with your search. as PaulyWally mentioned it sounds like you're going to customize anyway so I wouldn't limit yourself to one year. Finding a '68 that came with headrests will be a needle in a haystack as it was a pretty rare option to be ordered from cars I've seen AND 3 pt. belts on the same car would probably be hard to find. I'd also agree to find newer seats with headrests you like and install 3pts., they were optional in '67 (again rare) but the holes are in the roof for them.
Here is one of the popular vendors: 3 Point Retractable Seat Belts with Long Sash Guide
The search feature > advanced search and put '3pt. seatbelts' you'll get lots of threads with pics.

Same for the 2 spoke steering wheel, finding one in safe, useable condition will not be easy, they were an early form of plastic and most have cracked/ become unsafe. Most go with an aftermarket wheel they like, like the LeCarra, MotoLita, Grant, etc. for $200-$300, I think the original 2 spoke repops are $500-$600.

Funny about the FORD lettering on the hood, I have it on my '67 and will probably remove it to look more like a Group 2 Trans Am series car.

 

[LaPorta]

Interesting...I did not realize that the 67s all would have mounting holes for the belts. That makes that a viable option for me then: I will certainly think about that. As far as the two-spoke wheels, I am actually looking to avoid them (don't like the look), so any of those replacements would be nice to look into.

 

[Woodchuck]

Welcome aboard!

If you like the '67-68 body style then either would be a good choice. Regardless of which one you choose, if you want 3-point belts you need seats with locking backs. Frankly, from a purely safety perspective, a 5-point harness would be best as it will control side-to-side movement of your upper body which a diagonal shoulder belt will not. Also, if you choose a '67 I'd update the steering box and column with the later "short shaft" box and a telescoping column, whether an original or an iDidit or similar aftermarket tilt-column. Remember that these cars where built without true engineered "crumple zones", side-impact door beams, a seamless trunk floor over the fuel tank, and many other "safety features" that we find [mostly government-mandated] in today's cars. You have to be comfortable with that fact first.

 

[LaPorta]

Thank you, I do appreciate all of that indeed, all of this is great. I did not realize that five-point belts were made: where are the other two points connected to?

I have seen similar suggestions regarding steering columns, particularly to keep it at proper arm's length.

 

[kkupec02]

welcome. good luck

 

[JohnnyK]

My early 67 did not have holes in the roof for them, as far as I remember.

 

[Woodchuck]

Thank you, I do appreciate all of that indeed, all of this is great. I did not realize that five-point belts were made: where are the other two points connected to?

I have seen similar suggestions regarding steering columns, particularly to keep it at proper arm's length.

 

[LaPorta]

View attachment 879398

Holy crap...I'd think that was almost a joke if you weren't serious. That is amazing. Far and away more than what I am wanting to do with this, however. I suppose I am trying to make things as safe as possible while looking as close to original (or, maybe a better term would be period correct) as possible. Two competing interests, I know. It's pretty amazing to see what others have done, I have looked over some threads here.

 

[Hipojoe1]

How much wood could the Woodchuck Chuck? When you ask, you shall receive!

 

[Redneckgearhead]

Just remember, these cars are not the death traps that some believe they are.

 

[LaPorta]

Just remember, these cars are not the death traps that some believe they are.

Well, if I really thought it was going to be all that bad I wouldn't entertain getting one. My father gives me all kinds of grief about them "not being safe" because of not having airbags...but then again he drove all these cars back then! I figure as long as I have reasonable seat belts and am not going to smash my head into the steering wheel and column, that's a pretty good start.

 

[66Camino]

Well, if I really thought it was going to be all that bad I wouldn't entertain getting one. My father gives me all kinds of grief about them "not being safe" because of not having airbags...but then again he drive all these cars back then! I figure as long as I have reasonable seat belts and am not going to smash my head into the steering wheel and column, that's a pretty good start.

Most of being safe in these cars is how we drive them. They do not handle corners or braking as well as newer cars. You need to let the idiots in the new cars have more space because they can out handle most of us old car people and will make last minute decisions that we can't avoid if we are too close.
That being said, I'd rather die driving something I enjoy instead of just another marshmallow blob. (I hope it doesn't come to that )

 

[LaPorta]

Most of being safe in these cars is how we drive them. They do not handle corners or braking as well as newer cars. You need to let the idiots in the new cars have more space because they can out handle most of us old car people and will make last minute decisions that we can't avoid if we are too close.
That being said, I'd rather die driving something I enjoy instead of just another marshmallow blob. (I hope it doesn't come to that )

So, essentially, drive with good driving distance, awareness, and defensive driving like we should do anyhow.

 

[66Camino]

So, essentially, drive with good driving distance, awareness, and defensive driving like we should do anyhow.

Just this morning on the way to work I had a guy in front of me pull to the right shoulder and make a u-turn in front of me with out a signal or even being aware I was there. He was on his phone (holding it in front of his face using the speaker).

 

[PaulyWally]

Just remember, these cars are not the death traps that some believe they are.

Right. But I am definitely a huge fan of 3-point belts in the front (at least). Nothing would make your day worse than getting impaled into the steering column. Or, if you're the passenger, having all your teeth knocked out by the dashpad.

 

[Redneckgearhead]

Right. But I am definitely a huge fan of 3-point belts in the front (at least). Nothing would make your day worse than getting impaled into the steering column. Or, if you're the passenger, having all your teeth knocked out by the dashpad.

That's so rare as to be laughable as a concern.

 

[PaulyWally]

That's so rare as to be laughable as a concern.

I hope you're joking.

"More than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections"

Intersection Safety | FHWA

Background and Objectives More than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections.

highways.dot.gov

Over 20,000 motor vehicle fatalities in the first 6 months of 2022.

NHTSA Early Estimates Show Overall Increase in Roadway Deaths in First Half of 2022

Second Quarter 2022 Projects First Decline Since 2020

www.nhtsa.gov

I don't know where you live, but people run stop signs and red lights on a daily basis where I live. Maybe if I lived out in the sticks I wouldn't be too concerned. But I'm not putting my health in the hands of all the other idiots on the road that don't pay the f*** attention.

All it takes is if for you to T-bone someone that ran a red light. You don't even have to be moving more than 25mph. You're going to wish you had a shoulder harness. I don't care how "rare" it may or may not be. For the cost and effort to put a pair in??? Seriously??