1965 Mustang E2 Body Kit ?

Kane822 · 06-16-2009

So I came accross these kits on the web

1965 to 1966 Mustang E2 Body Kit

I was given a 65 mustang coupe for free without a running engine and in need of a lot of work. Like everyone else I wanted a fastback but I can't refuse free. Anyways at first I wanted to make it all original but then I came across a fastback top for pretty cheap on craiglist. My plan now is to convert the coup to a fastback. Since my car is far from original there is no need to hold back now. I would like to know if someone has bought one of these kits and how happy they are with it. I can do body work but my concern is if all the fiberglass will crack over the years. Anyways... anyone know how good these kits really are...? for the price I don't want something that will crack after a year of two. Thanks

Calponycarsmike · 06-16-2009

I think you should look at how much body work it will take to make it a fastback. Plus the cost of door glass, rear glass, deck lid, qrts, interior panels etc...

andrewmp6 · 06-16-2009

If you want a fastback buy one making a coupe in to one is same price as to buy one.That kit is like all aftermarket parts you make them fit your car.Fiberglass can last a good 20 years plus if its taken care of.

RagHead · 06-17-2009

I agree with the guys above, you would be better off in the long run to just wait and buy a fastback.

andrewmp6 · 06-17-2009

To swap the roofs on a unibody is hard and if done wrong the car will never drive straight.Needs to be done by a pro and on another forum a guy spend 9 grand for his coupe and roof swap at a body shop you can buy a real fastback for that.Most of the parts are not remade and are pricey to buy and your vin will show its a coupe so you can't sell it as a fastback.

67ragtopStang · 06-17-2009

Since your car has a unibody structure, the roof is integral to the strength of the body. Cutting off a steel roof and grafting a fiberglass one on, would weaken the overall structure, unless you install the inner rockers and torque boxes like they did on convertibles. You may want to install subframe connectors too.

I don't think it's worth it the time and effort.

Kane822 · 06-17-2009

Whoa I was not asking about the conversion I was just stating that so people knew why I did not want to keep it original. trust me I have done my homework and I am working with a guy that has done it twice before. And no I can't get a fastback for the money I have put into this project. I got the coupe for free and I spent $900 for the complete assembly of a roof off of a fastback. Throw in a few bucks for some wire and and gas, and have a friend who's got the right experience and I am sure I will still come out on top. As for the car driving straight afterward, you have to set it on stands and take all the support off its wheels then weld braces across the door. I think I mentions that I do body work, not so much welding but that's what my friend is for. Were doing the job this weekend, if any one is interested I will post some pictures later. I had no intention of doing this swap because everyone said the same thing you all said. Until I started talking to people that have actually done it, I was not convinced, and it just so happen to work out well for me because I am taking a free coupe that was left to rust and fastback that was beyond repair and now I am making it something I can enjoy for a very long time.

Now what I really wanted to know about is if these kits are any good. I don't have a problem with doing the body work. But I am concerned about how the fiberglass will mess with the sheet metal. I have never done fiberglass to sheet metal work before and I would like to know if it can be done so that it last more than a few years with out cracking at the interface.

Kane822 · 06-17-2009

Sorry just to clarify when I said body kit I was not talking about a coupe to fastback body kits or what not I was talking about the E2 body kits. I have the entire roof of a 1965 fastback in my garage right now that's not what I am talking about.

Calponycarsmike · 06-17-2009

If you have done body work and you are going to graft a roof to a car, you should know how to work with fiberglass and metal..I would think...

.

Those kits fit good, just don't get the cheaper one from Rebel Mustang they don't fit, we just had a shop that bought one of their kits ( I can't say the shop) but it took them 4 weeks of solid body work to get the Rebel Kit to fit. The Mustangs Depot stuff is some of the best in the industry.

Oh wondering how you are going to make the quarter panels work???

Please do post pics....

Kane822 · 06-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calponycarsmike

If you have done body work and you are going to graft a roof to a car, you should know how to work with fiberglass and metal..I would think...

.

Those kits fit good, just don't get the cheaper one from Rebel Mustang they don't fit, we just had a shop that bought one of their kits ( I can't say the shop) but it took them 4 weeks of solid body work to get the Rebel Kit to fit. The Mustangs Depot stuff is some of the best in the industry.

Oh wondering how you are going to make the quarter panels work???

Please do post pics....

Welding two pieces of metal together and using body putty is one thing. I am worried about molding fiberglass to metal. Even fiberglass to fiberglass is easy especially if you don't mind sanding, so while you're scratching your head thinking about how qualified I am, I am actually trying to find out how you do that because I have never done it before and I want to know if I blend the fender flares or what ever into to the sheet metal of my quarter panels, how can I be sure I will make a bond that will last for years? Even rivets don't stay tight for ever.

While you're at it check out these sites. This is one of the guys I have been talking to directly not to mention the guy I bought the the roof from who has done two himself

66 Mustang Conversion

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2464575

My roof is even more complete than this guys, It will weld up to all the factory seams. I even have the most impossible part to find which is the trim piece around the side windows that holds the gasket in place. Anyways my apologies for getting off topic I think I should have called this thread coupe to fastback conversion...

Calponycarsmike · 06-17-2009

Most people use a expoxi to bond the two and then body filler to smooth it out.

Kane822 · 06-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calponycarsmike

Most people use a expoxi to bond the two and then body filler to smooth it out.

Yeah that is kind of what I figured. I guess it could be because of my mechanical engineering background, but I am just worried about how well that bond will hold, body filling the seams is not a concern of mine. So does the epoxy hold pretty well? or is it something that will start looking like crap after I drive this around for a few years? like I said I have no experience with body kit. I would feel much more comfortable if they made one out of sheet metal (ha ha that would cost a buck or two) I am actually considering taking a junk car and making my own flares out of the quarter panels. I don't know I am a fan or original but like I mentioned before if I am going to be cutting into my coupe this much I might as well make something unique.

I really have no intention of buying the E2 kit right now because I can mold and form my own fiberglass (did it on boats all the time back at my old job) but we'll see I guess. I'll be sure to post pic from this weekends endeavor. I think Even the skeptic might be amazed. If all goes well I will have put about $1K into my project and I will have a rolling 1965 fastback shell. the way I see it, its not a bad place to start.