[RichieT]

The 1965 mustang coupe I just purchased is completely original, I have all the paper work to support that. I plan on replacing the I6 with a 289 and the automatic transmission with a manual. Knowing all the work and money that comes with this type of modification, who thinks that I am better off bringing the car back to life in its original condition, selling it and then buying a mustang that has the V8 and manual transmission already in it?

[stlwagon]

Clearly if all the numbers match the car's going to be worth more as a collectable.

[Sore Pancake]

well a '65 with an Inline 6 and an automatic is no special car. it may be numbers matching but there is nothing unique about it.

[85gtmustang]

i say clean it up and sell it and buy the v8 version, it will be cheaper in the long run than buying all the parts

[Wsovonick]

I was in a similar situation when I purchased my 65 convertible a few years ago. During a 1999 restoration, the original owner (he bought it in August of 64) switched the factory installed manual 3-speed to a C-4 auto, but kept the original 200 I-6. When I bought it, I toyed with the idea of a 6 to 8 conversion, but ultimately decided to keep the original 200. With all the talk about folks converting from a 6 to an 8-cyl, who knows, maybe the cars that kept their original I-6 engines will some day become more desirable to those looking for an all original Mustang. I guess a lot depends on what you want out of your Mustang. Mine only comes out of the garage on warm sunny days with no chance of rain. I know that a lot were built, but does anyone happen to know how many 65 Mustangs were originally produced with a 170/200 6 as opposed to a 260/289 8?

All the Best

[Claybone]

There are a couple ways you can with this....I was battling that delima myself and decided that i will keep it original on the interior and even keep a 200 in there but thanks to some great people on this site i was pointed in the right direction as far as how to get great performance out of a 200.
Classic Inlines
Clifford Performance
FordSix

Even after some of the mods you find in those links if you still decide to cange it to an 8 do everyone a favor and just clean up the one you have, sell it and buy one closest to what your looking for. It may seem like just one car, but as far as i know they stopped making 65's a few years ago and between the one being parted out, and the drivers that decide to make them compact cars with the assistance of an unknowing individual they are geting fewer.

im not agaisnt mutting a car but i find it best to do so with one that has already been turned into a mutt or a car thats just a rolling chassis.

[andrewmp6]

There was more inline 6 mustangs made then v8 so the value of the car won't go down swapping it to a v8.You'll need the engine tranny motor mounts and brackets the v8 spindles hubs brakes you'll need a 8 inch rear end for it and new wheels.Its up to you if you keep the car or sell it if its rust free and a nice car id keep it and build it up my way good luck.

[302Feen]

my opinion... Keep it original and keep it. the I6 are getting harder to find. Clean it up and restore it. I have a '65 with the I6 and 3 speed I LOVE it, it's actually pretty torquy, that's the car that made me fall in love with stangs!!!
If you want something fast get a newer stang and mod it. But don't ruin a classic by adding all kinds of stuff to it.
But you could restore it original and then sell it for a 289, those are really good engines, but KEEP IT ORIGINAL. LoL

I don't understand why people want a classic car thats worth a lot more stock, and then they want to throw all these extra mods to it to make it fast, the cars now are coming out with 3-4-500 horsepower. Why get a beautiful classic and spend all that money making it fast and ruin the value of it.
That's just my opinion.

[c6matt]

I did the swap on my 66 vert.. .put in a 289/c4.. I have the stock engine if I ever want to go back.. but I bought the car for me... not as an investment... but really, If your into "investment value" and growth threre are better options out there than a I6 mustang... but either way you go have fun with it!