Build a brand new 64.5-66 mustang convertible

[FoMoJo]

An interesting concept for hobbiests or custom car builders.

Ford releases unpainted bodies for classic Mustang convertibles

The automaker is offering unpainted body shells that can be made into 1964 1/2, 1965 or 1966 Mustang convertibles, depending on the restoration parts and powertrain that the buyer installs during the rebuild.

But unlike a restoration, the metal is new and the welds solid, making it a durable template for those wanting an alternative way to relive their youth.

The body shell for the original Mustang convertible is now in production and is sold as a Ford-licensed restoration part by Dynacorn International.

The '65 Mustang body shell starts at $15,000. It includes the doors and trunk lid and all the sheet metal from the radiator support to the taillight panel, except the hood and front fenders, which are available separately.

Those who buy a shell can choose to buy new a powertrain, suspension and brakes, electrical systems, interior and trim ? or transfer original parts from another car.

[Cookie Monster]

Damn that's expensive.

Also it means the car wouldn't be all original anymore. It's a good option for restomods I guess.

[FoMoJo]

I guess most who did this would resto-mod it. 

Finding an existing car in a bone yard and restoring it to new would likely cost as much or more.  While there are a lot of 64-66 Mustangs for sale starting around $10k, I expect they would need a lot of work and $$ to get them anywhere close to mint.

[SVT666]

It cost my buddy $80,000 to restore his 1966 Stang to showroom condition.  It was pretty rough when he started though.

[Rupert]

This is the way to go for a restomod, for sure. Don't worry about rust, don't have to strip the car. Just buy this and a donor car (or two) and go to town.

[Soup DeVille]

I've been looking at this, but they're also going to do a first gen Bronco, which is way tempting as well.

If I were to buy one, it'd be the base for a retro-rally car (which is a part of Mustang history almost unknown in the states).

[Soup DeVille]

Damn that's expensive.

Also it means the car wouldn't be all original anymore. It's a good option for restomods I guess.

It wouldn't be original at all, which in a way is kind of liberating.

[Raza]

Want, want, want, but can't afford.

[Soup DeVille]

It cost my buddy $80,000 to restore his 1966 Stang to showroom condition.  It was pretty rough when he started though.

Exactly. To start with an average donor car and get it to the point where its a perfectly clean and stripped body shell will be every bit of $15,000.

[SVT666]

This is the way to go for a restomod, for sure. Don't worry about rust, don't have to strip the car. Just buy this and a donor car (or two) and go to town.

A first gen Bronco would be effin cool.

[Vinsanity]

might as well use this kit to build an RB26-powered drift car

[Payman]

Factory Five Cobra. $12,995.

But, it's nice to have this bodyshell option if you wanted to restore a rotten Mustang. I see that Camaro and GTO shells are cheaper.

[r0tor]

I see the price of restored mustangs decreasing drastically from this... Which I really don't care about since I always thought it was retarded how much money old muscle cars were going for at auctions

[Byteme]

It wouldn't be original at all, which in a way is kind of liberating.

A car is only original once.  No restored car is original, the only question is how much is replaced and how much was there originally during a restoration.

I'm reminded of the story of grand dad's old ax.  We replaced the handle twice and the head just once, but it's still grand dad's old ax.

Wanna restore an E-type Jaguar.  About the only thing that needs to be original (that was on the car that rolled out the factory door) is the data plate.  You can replace every other part and it's still that car, restored.



The four numbers were hand stamped, btw.  If you use a reproduction plate like the one shown it's good form to stamp them a bit sloppy, just like the factory did.

[Laconian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

[SVT666]

Factory Five Cobra. $12,995.

But, it's nice to have this bodyshell option if you wanted to restore a rotten Mustang. I see that Camaro and GTO shells are cheaper.

The way the article is written it sounds like the frame is included, though it doesn't actually state that.

[FoMoJo]

The way the article is written it sounds like the frame is included, though it doesn't actually state that.

Mustang used a unitized platform type frame so I expect it would be part of the package.  However, it says the hood and front fenders aren't included but are available.

[FoMoJo]

I've been looking at this, but they're also going to do a first gen Bronco, which is way tempting as well.

If I were to buy one, it'd be the base for a retro-rally car (which is a part of Mustang history almost unknown in the states).

A first gen Bronco is one of my 'dream' cars/trucks.

I know there was a "Rally Pac" option available but I don't know about a factory rally car.

[sportyaccordy]

Wonder what the crash ratings are like

[SVT666]

A first gen Bronco is one of my 'dream' cars/trucks.

Mine too.  I would go full restomod though.  Modern powertrain, seats, etc.

[GoCougs]

Anyone who has ever worked on an old car would welcome this as a dream. Sigh - I hate convertibles though...

It won't change the market price a bit; more than 600,000 Mustangs were built the first year and it's one of the most popular, if not THE most popular, car of the area still on the road today.

[Byteme]

Mustang used a unitized platform type frame so I expect it would be part of the package.  However, it says the hood and front fenders aren't included but are available.

My understanding is it's ready for paint and the owner to start bolting on the suspension and drivetrain.

[shp4man]

Interesting. Ford has always maintained a relatively comprehensive parts availability for the first gen Mustangs. I had a '66 coupe at one time in the '90's. It was a good daily driver.

[Onslaught]

Anyone who has ever worked on an old car would welcome this as a dream. Sigh - I hate convertibles though...

It won't change the market price a bit; more than 600,000 Mustangs were built the first year and it's one of the most popular, if not THE most popular, car of the area still on the road today.

Yea, this is a good idea. However I don't hate convertibles. I'd rather see a roof on it myself however because I don't think the old Mustang convertibles look very good.

[Soup DeVille]

A first gen Bronco is one of my 'dream' cars/trucks.

I know there was a "Rally Pac" option available but I don't know about a factory rally car.

The Mustang replaced the Ford Falcon Sprint as the Ford factory (really Holman Moody) effort in the Monte Carlo Rally for '65 - '67.

[Soup DeVille]

Yea, this is a good idea. However I don't hate convertibles. I'd rather see a roof on it myself however because I don't think the old Mustang convertibles look very good.

Looking at the Dynacorn website, they have both fixed and convertible versions from 64.5 to 69.

[Soup DeVille]

A car is only original once.  No restored car is original, the only question is how much is replaced and how much was there originally during a restoration.

Okay fine, it wouldn't be a restoration, it would be a replica.

[VTEC_Inside]

Does seem a little pricey.

Honda is apparently going to start selling Civic coupe "body in white" shells for race teams, etc... for only $3500.

I know its an apples/oranges thing, but thats quite a difference in price. Although I suppose its much easier to pull finished shells off the current assembly line than doing a smaller run of a 40+ yr old chassis.

[Soup DeVille]

Does seem a little pricey.

Honda is apparently going to start selling Civic coupe "body in white" shells for race teams, etc... for only $3500.

I know its an apples/oranges thing, but thats quite a difference in price. Although I suppose its much easier to pull finished shells off the current assembly line than doing a smaller run of a 40+ yr old chassis.

You also don't see many people doing concourse grade restorations of Civics that cost $70-80,000.

[Vinsanity]

Does seem a little pricey.

Honda is apparently going to start selling Civic coupe "body in white" shells for race teams, etc... for only $3500.

I know its an apples/oranges thing, but thats quite a difference in price. Although I suppose its much easier to pull finished shells off the current assembly line than doing a smaller run of a 40+ yr old chassis.

hmm...I wonder how easy it would be to stuff the F20C motor and S2000 drivetrain in that body...