Cool classic muscle car 3500 or less

stroker wrote: I doubt you'll find a Javelin for that money (I'm no expert) but you might find a Hornet. Some of those have been built nicely.

Yep.

In reply to Aimcat: You've got some awesome friends! I'd love to have another Torino, dibs if you don't take it!

, And you should look into that '71 Mach/Boss mustang. On the off chance that is a real Boss 351 it would hard to lose money on it, and even a '71 Mach 1 is a deal at that price if its not rusty.

If your serious about any of 'stangs you should get the serial # and door tag info, if the door tags are still there. That information can be used to confirm what the car really is. I used to have a book with all the information to decode the serial and door tag stuff, but I gave to the guy that bought my last 'stang. I'm sure there is someone here, or on a mustang specific forum that could help you decipher those numbers quickly.

FSP_ZX2 wrote:

stroker wrote: I doubt you'll find a Javelin for that money (I'm no expert) but you might find a Hornet. Some of those have been built nicely.

Yep.

Oh I likey this one. Mine was white with a blue stripe.

Speaking of Hornets , if I had $2k to blow, and a place to put it, this would already be mine And knowing the potential that AMC/Jeep I6's have, I wouldn't even consider a v8.

Either 71 is definitely better than 73, if you trust their diagnosis of a fuel pump, and its solid, go for that. If you're patient you can do a surprisingly good paint job with a roller and cheap tractor enamel or boat paint(roughly what these cars were painted with originally), google roller paint job for more info than you could read in a lifetime.

Aimcat wrote: ...a 73 Mach 1 with 351w all original... ...1971 mach 1, but has badging on the outside saying boss 351... ...71 Torino GT and has a 351 in it...

You might be the best wife ever! I would take the 71 Torino but all the cars listed are AWESOME!

Just make sure the Mustangs you're talking about are fastbacks (or 'sportsroof' in Ford lingo).

At the risk of offending everyone who bought a coupe, if it's got the roofline of the one below, it's worth less than half of the one above:

Mach/Boss cars to the best of my knowledge were ONLY available in the Fastback body style. Anybody can put badging, decals and a wing on a car and call it something it isn't.

Be very, very cautious of rust on any of these. They don't make all the panels for the 'big' Mustangs yet like they do the earlier ones. Any Fastback that is complete and not rusty should be worth at least $5000 in running shape.

A plain '71 Torino is ok, but a GT is the one to have. They likely don't reproduce a whole lot for the Torino as the popularity simply isn't there. However, I like the idea that it's not just another Mustang in a sea of them at every car show. And since the 71-73 Mustangs aren't exactly small or light, you really don't lose much in performance going with the Torino.

The torino is definitely a GT. It has 351 Cleveland motor automatic. It has the factor body, engine and shaker hood. All body work is done it needs a tune up, paint and interior done. They want 4000 and not a penny less. Is this a good deal?

In reply to Aimcat: If it's truly rust free and complete it might be a fair deal, but you should clarify what they mean by needs paint and interior. Can you get some pics? Also "tune up" on a car that's been sitting a long time can be a loaded term.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from the car, just trying to help

Can't get pics uploaded. It has been primed and ready to paint. Tune up was plugs I believe. It runs now just recommended.

What the, where the hell are you finding these, I am impressed and humbled.

Now send me the contacts for the ones you don't want

Pleeeaaaasssseeee

Torinos seem to be a good deal

Edit: I might just ninja buy this from out of the thread. What do you think GMR? Lots of potential..

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/4186055961.html

Finding other goods. $2,500 77 monte carlo

"Ready for paint" may or may not be true. Figure laying on a decent coat of paint is MINIMUM $1500, twice that for a real stellar job. This is assuming whatever body prep is currently on the car was done correctly. These things always scare me because you don't know what's hiding under the primer. Best have someone knowledgeable in car painting have a look at it for you first.

Looked at the 71 and 73 Mach Mustangs and both are out. Horrible rust issues and lots of other problems so those are a no. The Torino GT is in the running. What do you guys think about a Galaxie 500 or Galaxie Fastback? Are these common cars?

Galaxie Fastback

In reply to ddavidv:

Not a lot of love for the Mustang II (Pinto-derived)and Fox Body suspensions but they were both better than the original Mustang, at least in the handling department. I remember Shelby's harsh criticism of the original Mustang suspension. A Mustang II with a better engine would make a better handling platform than any 1964-73 Stang.

Galaxie, as the name suggests, is a big car. If you're willing to look at full size cars, the 1965-70 GM B platform (all the full size stuff, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_B_platform) is the one to look at for easy parts, being the 4th most produced car ever.

I found a 68 Galaxie XL fastback that is in awesome condition. All original matching numbers. Engine needs some things, not currently running. Interior isn't bad at all for age. It has a 302, 210HP. Is this still powerful or sluggish? My husband is really liking the Galaxie XL or Torino GT now, but the Galaxie could be bought for 2000 and Torino GT 4000.

I'd vote for whichever one was in the best overall condition. Lots of room to play with the Galaxie at 2K if it's a nice one.

Good price on the Galaxie if its reasonably clean/straight etc., heavy car, ~3800lbs, a 2 barrel 302 wont move it very quickly without putting money into it or going to a bigger motor, fine for cruising though.

Galaxie is very straight, virgually rust free. Really great shape for age. Already has a paint job on it. Needs interior work, and not currently working - said they think it needs the gas tank dropped? Not sure wht that means? Can you guys help me on that one?

Probably full of rust and crud that is plugging up the fuel system.

Fuel tank was replaced a year ago though

Sounds like they have no clue what they are talking about, then. Ford fuel tanks of that vintage were notorious rusters, so it's pretty common to find them replaced. But, if it was sucking up rust for awhile, the pickup--lines--carb could be filled with crud and need cleaned out. Not a tremendously difficult job.

Neither the Galaxie nor the Torino will be tremendously powerful in stock form. Adequate, and can squeal a tire if you want, but you won't be wanting to go to the drag strip with either. The Torino will probably always be worth more. Galaxys have languished in value, for reasons I can't say. Not bad cars, but they are HUGE. May want to measure the length and make sure it fits in your garage!

Moparman: your argument is valid about the handling abilities of 60s Mustangs vs anything made after 1973. My recollection of driving the Cobra II and then my subsequent '81 Fox Mustang was simply that the M-II wasn't the wondrous improvement many think it is. The 4cyl cars may have felt more nimble (I liked my Pinto, when it wasn't vomiting head gaskets), but the 302 equipped version was a wallowing pig. Which leads me to, as much as I love the looks of vintage Mustangs, I plan to own a S197 next, because it will drive like what we've all become accustomed to (while still retaining a lot of the look of the sexiest vintage ones). It all depends on one's level of tolerance for the 'vintage experience'.