[DomesticLover]

I have the option of getting one of these two cars. Could you guys tell me which would be a better to fix up. COuld you tell me which would keep its value after I fix it up.

There is a 71 mustang mach 1 with a 460 in it. They want $6000. Its in decent shape. There was rust in the trunk but none on the floorboards. It runs good. It has some performance adders on it (Headers, New Electronics, etc...).

Then there is a 70 Pontiac Le mans with matching 350. They want $2000 for it. Interior is in excellent shape. There are some very small rust spots on the back close to the bumper. This is just surface though. Needs a new battery and has a flat tire. I wanted to try to make it look like a 69 GTO. They basically have the same body. I figured I could use the rest of the money to get new quarter panels, door skins, front fenders, and front bumper.

Thanks,
Jacob

 

[onebadmerc]

I would look the Mach 1 over better, if there is rust in the trunk there is rust in the rear quarters and tailight panel. I have owned three 71 Mustang Coupes and one 73 Mach 1 and presently own a 73 Mustang Coupe. These cars get rust in the rear quarters, tailight panels, in the lower front quarters, the floor pans, the lower front fenders and the worst is in the engine compartment under the fenders. The shock towers love to rust right at the top, right under where the fender bolts on. You can't see this rust most of the times unless you take the fenders off. I recently found rust on my shock towers,on my 73 when I took the fenders off. I swear there was no rust there but when the fenders came off, there was plenty of swearing done. The Mach 1 is worth more than the Pontiac only if it is a real Mach 1 and not a clone. If the Mustang is rusty I would skip over it and buy the Pontiac, fixing rusty cars is no fun. I would rather replace or rebuild a engine anyday over replacing quarter panels, trunk panels and especially shock tower support panels.

 

[DomesticLover]

We found some bondo in places on the hood and rear quarter panels of the mustang. It is an original mach 1. Thanks for your advice. I think I'm going to go for the pontiac.

 

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

We found some bondo in places on the hood and rear quarter panels of the mustang. It is an original mach 1. Thanks for your advice. I think I'm going to go for the pontiac.

good choice. I'd keep it a LeMans since GTO (and clones) are everywhere, and it'd be a little different. Nothing wrong with making it mechanically a GTO. That'd be cool in a sleeper way.

 

[DomesticLover]

I already have one car I'm trying to make into a sleeper. I've got a 01 transam ws6 that i'm debadging and making look like just a firebird. He he he.

 

[RCastle]

OneBadMerc nailed it with the Mustang rust.They would actually send the rear spring shackles into the trunk floor.A 72 Fastback mustang was at the DAV auction this weekend.Sold for $700.00.They people know to expect probs there,the winning bidder opened the pass door(l/t door was seized),lifted the carpeting and the floor fell thru,or stuck to the carpet.

 

[Kevin45]

I'd question the 460.

 

[Ghetto Jet]

I'd question the 460.

I'd question why he's burning money on another car when he has an 01 WS6. The Trans Am is what I would be throwing the thousands of dollars at.

 

[bud-23]

I think Kevin is right on. I believe they offered a 390 as an option for the MachI. The 460FE were for the trucks. Don't quote me or throw rocks if I'm wrong.

 

[Ghetto Jet]

...grabs rock to throw at bud-23...

aims, pulls back arm...1970 was the last year you could get a 390 in a Mustang, and 460 were never put in any mustangs. I assumed the 460 was transplanted.

 

[bud-23]

I'm looking for my helmet.ain: I guess I should have said that the 460 was never an option for the stang. Sorry Mike.

P.S. How was I to know about those new 71's, when mine is an old 67?

 

[Ghetto Jet]

I'm looking for my helmet.ain: I guess I should have said that the 460 was never an option for the stang. Sorry Mike.

P.S. How was I to know about those new 71's, when mine is an old 67?

Ah, it's ok Bud. With so many things to remember you really only need to know Mustang history up to 1970 anyway.

 

[willowbilly3]

I have had to slowly and reluctantly accept post 70 cars. Back in the day we all saw 1970 as the pinnacle of the muscle car wars. 71's were the beginning of the lower compression and also a step toward the last bloated boats to wear the Mustang badge before the even more hideous M2 came along.
The exception would be a 71 351 boss.
I am a ford man and I say go for the Poncho.