Hi everyone. I'm in the market for a classic mustang and have found 2 in my area that I really like. However, I'm concerned about paying too much and since there's no real "blue book" guide on these older cars to help me assess the value, I thought the best thing I could do would be to get appraisals from classic Mustang enthusiasts like yourselves. I've attached the pictures and information provided by the dealer on both cars. I understand that it's very difficult to give an accurate appraisal with just pictures to go off of but I'm just looking for a general estimate. This is assuming there is no rust on either cars. I will be going to see them tomorrow and will grab the VIN on both cars and check the undercarriages. Thanks for any help you can give!
- 1965, new black paint with white stripes, 289, 4 speed. Odometer reads 60k miles. The car has very nice black interior and looks as if it has been recently updated and is in great shape with no rips or tears. The bumpers and front grill are brand new and set the car off nicely. The car is rolling on brand new American Racing 17 inch Torque thrust IIs and low profile tires. The car looks runs and drive great. Asking price is $29,500
- 1966, new emberglo metallic orange paint with white stripes, 289 3 speed. gorgeous parchment interior. air conditioning. This amazing mustang is a CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN New Mexico car. The car has a laser straight body. The body fit is much nicer than most mustangs. This car, unlike most mustangs has very nice floors and metal structure because of its life in New Mexico. The car has drop dead gorgeous interior as you can see by the dash, seats and door panels and new mustang floor mats. This car comes nicely equipped with a peppy 289ci engine AIR CONDITIONING, DISC BRAKES, a factory AM 8 track and a 3-SPEED manual transmission that can be easily converted to a 4 or 5 speed plug and play. This beautiful car is rolling on new redline radials and nice Mustang Steel rims. Asking price is $25,900
Well, I must say, that both those cars look very nice. However, the black one, even with its options seems a bit high to me. I would probably say more in the $20,000-$24,000 range. The condition of the frame rails and floors are the main components you should pay attention to. Also look at the cowl if possible. If they will let you, pour some water down the cowl and make sure that it doesn't come out on the carpets, you should see it come out on the ground. The orange one, with the three speed, in my opinion, should be converted to a four or five speed, not that expensive, but another cost on top of the purchase price. Pictures can only tell so much anyway. From personal experience, black vinyl seats along with black paint can roast you more than you would expect. If possible, ask to take them for a test drive. Now, you say that they are both 289s, but do you know whether they have two or four barrel carburetors? The "C" Code or two barrel is worth less, while the "A" Code or four barrel is worth a little more. You can change the carburetors if you want, you would just need a matching intake manifold. Sorry for the long rant, but I don't know how experienced you are with Mustangs. Now, I'm not saying I'm an expert either, just an opinion. I wish you luck in your search.
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1966 Coupe: 289 "C" Code, 4 speed transmission, going to be factory Ivy Green, and going to have Pony Ivy Gold and White interior. Currently a project for my father and I.
i really appreciate those two comments/suggestions. i will take those into consideration when i see them tomorrow. any more comments/appraisals would be greatly apprecated!
Air conditioning and disc brakes are nice to have. The disc brakes especially. Looking at the orange one's interior it looks like the car should have been painted the emberglo burgundy color. Might knock some of the price for that(?).
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65-2&2, 63 Falcon vert, 32 coupe, 76f-250 4&4,72 Ranchero GT-Some is good,more is better,and too much is just enough.
NADA will help you get a more accurate estimate of values.
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"yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of rice, I will fear no turbo for torque art with me. Thy rods and thy crankshaft, they comfort me."
Ok. So I just went and checked out the two cars and I'm considering the orange one the most. It has front disk breaks, the paint is absolutely gorgeous. One of the best paint jobs I've seen. The floor and rails look good, the engine compartment is immaculate, and the interior is very good but not perfect like the exterior of the car. It is indeed a C code car but the dealer said that it actually has the HI-PO engine. I'm assuming one out of a K code car. And I believe that engine model has 271 HP. When we test drove it, I noticed it was suprisingly quick for a 200HP car - we were able to chirp the tires going into second gear. I really didn't expect that from a C code. He's pretty firm on 25.9k but I think I could talk him down to 25k. With this extra information I was able to gather, do you all think 25k is reasonable? Also, how can I tell for sure if the engine really is the HI-PO model? He mentioned something about the engine being "day code correct" or something like that? I didn't really understand what he was saying but he explained it as being a tag on the engine held on by a bolt and that a lot of these cars are missing them. I need to get back with him in the next couple days so any other advice you could give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks again guys.
Engine block will have any one of these casting #s C30E-B,C40E-B,C5AE-E. Head #s are C40E-B, C50E-A, C5AE-E. The easiest way is to pop off the valve cover and look for the cast in spring pockets on the head and screw in valve studs. Alot of people claim a hi-po motor. However they are like hen's teeth. I wouldn't assume here. On the other hand the hi-po heads are almost identical to the regular heads when it comes to valve sizes and port sizes.
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65-2&2, 63 Falcon vert, 32 coupe, 76f-250 4&4,72 Ranchero GT-Some is good,more is better,and too much is just enough.
Appraise these two cars 
Alot of people claim a hi-po motor. However they are like hen's teeth. I wouldn't assume here. 
On the other hand the hi-po heads are almost identical to the regular heads when it comes to valve sizes and port sizes.
