Investment?

One thing that amazes me is the ever growing price tag for classic muscle cars. I watch Barrett Jackson every year with total awe. I regularly peruse eBay looking at some old hunk of steel that needs an unreal amount of work going for thousands of dollars, and restored cars going to hundreds of thousands of dollars. I remember around fifteen years ago my dad and I looked at a 1967 Mustang 2 + 2 fastback. It was a complete rolling car lacking only an engine, transmission, and front seats. The body was in great shape. Selling price? $1000! I still kick myself to this day for not figuring out a way to either get it myself or talking my dad into purchasing it. These stories can go on and on. My favorite thing to do growing up was look at cars. There were so many great deals back then. My dad likes to go on about all the cars he owned growing up. Everything from a 70 Mercury Cougar Eliminator to a 57 Chevy. Unreal cars he bought for peanuts compared to today's money.

One thing I always wonder is, will fox body mustangs ever bring big money? Sure, certain models already do. The amazing thing to me is how much these cars still bring. Since there certainly is not a lack of these cars to buy, one can only assume that it relates to their sheer popularity. It reminds me of a story my dad likes to tell. Back in the 1960's, he wanted a Thunderbird. He looked around and priced them, but they were just too much money. He found a 57 Corvette in town for a deal ($1000). So that's what he got. Kind of a similar car, much less investment. The funny thing is that he still owns this car and is currently restoring it.

Back when I was in high school I had a similar experience. I wanted a Mustang. They were too expensive. I ended up getting an 87 Camaro (I know, I know). Funny how in both cases, the Fords were more coveted and expensive!

I've recently noticed that original, low mileage fox bodies are going for big bucks. Seems like people in my age range are settling into higher paying jobs or are having a mid life crisis and trying to relive their youth. To me this is the same phenomena that occurred with the muscle car boom. One can only imagine the same thing happening to our cars. Just like the original Mustang, even though the fox body was produced in big numbers, many of them have been or are currently being wrecked or raced into submission.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

By far the hardest choice that I am attempting to make is what type of wheels to put on my 83'. Honestly I am a fan of almost every Mustang wheel made in the last 25 years. I've seen numerous nice examples of each. So far I've narrowed it down to the following selections. Post your thoughts and comments!

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To four eye or not to four eye?

I've always been a fan of Mustangs. I guess in a way it started when I was brought home from the hosptial in a 66' after I was born. But despite my lifelong interest, there was one thing that for whatever reason I was never aware of, and that is the hatred of those who convert the front of their four eyed Mustang to the aero nose of the 87-93 mustangs.

Disclaimer: Keep reading after I reveal the next fact:

When I bought my 83', I intended on changing the nose!

Now let me explain myself. For the longest time I thought the 83-84 nose looked like an Escort. I thought it was ugly. When I originally bought the car, I wasn't looking for a particular year. I just wanted a fox body car at a bargain price that I could shape into the car I wanted it to be. But a funny thing happened along the way. I started to like the look of my car.

It all started when I began doing some research. I couldn't understand why those crazed four eyed fans flipped out when someone "desecrated" one of their own. But the more I thought about it, they're right. The best thing about having a 79-86 is that you don't see that many of them anymore. For reasons varying from production numbers to people making the unmentionable swap, you just don't see that many on the road. I also have grown to realize that the squared off bumper is "tough" looking.

Now that I have made this distinction, I notice how many 87-93 mustangs are out there. I see them all the time. I still like the cars, but I appreciate mine more for what it is. It also helped that I have seen some sweet 83-84's online that have inspired me. Not to mention that it will save some money not having to buy all those extra parts. So now I can confidently say, save the four eyes!

Future Mods

After much consideration, I've come up with a list of mods I intend to perform on my vert. While I am trying to maintain some semblence of budget, I also have several goals in mind. I'm looking for 400+ horsepower with no power adder. I want to keep compression low so that I can add a blower/turbo in the future however. Naturally this means the drivetrain has to be able to handle 400-600 hp. The vert will not be my daily driver, however once it's done I want to be able to enjoy it so it has to have some level of reliablity. I also have a (fairly amibitious) goal of having the car completed by next summer. I'll continue to post progress.

Desired mods:

-351W crate motor (426hp)
I am still on the fence between going this route or just rebuilding the 302 with heads/intake/cam

-Tremec TKO500 tranny
This is a definite. The car was originally a 5 speed car but the guy that owned it before me put a C4 in it. Everything is still hung for the manual, however.

-8.8 rear with 3.73 gears
A definite must

-5 lug conversion, upgrade to four wheel disc (SN95 style)
This is the part I'm having the most trouble with. The 5 lug conversion has many benefits, including the wide array of wheel choices that come with it. It's a pricey and involved conversion but I'm leaning towards doing it. I have a soft spot for Saleen 5 stars and this is the only way to do it. A braking upgrade is a definite must no matter what, considering the performance upgrade.

-4" cowl hood
Necessary with a 351 swap, plus the future power adder.

-Vert styling bar
I just like the way they look

-Eibach suspension upgrade
I don't necessarily want a road racer (i'm more of a drag kind of guy) but I do like to go around corners safely and sometimes at speed. Plus, you get a nice drop to improve the looks of the car along with it.

These are the major parts and upgrades I have planned. I'm currently trying to save money by doing the interior myself. I will also do the majority of the body work myself. The body is really in great shape with little surface rust and just a few dents here and there. A couple of the panels also need to be adjusted.

I'd love a little feedback on what I have planned. I really want to go with 18" Saleens and I've seen it done on a few cars with the Eibach suspension. I am also trying to decide on a color. I would have to say that Black is in the lead right now but I am a fan of grey and blue also.

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