[65 Fastaback]

Hello,

My slow and undecided attempt to slowly restore or restomod a classic. I have to decide if I want to go through with this project, how far to go with it or sell it to someone who wants to take it to its potential. Your help is appreciated. Attached are pics of its pretty exterior, the engine and compartment and what's underneath it all. I want to be able to drive and enjoy it through the process as long as I can if I finish it myself (farming out the work as I go) continue to drive it and not turn it into a trailer queen. I bought my 65 Fastback last summer. I cleaned up the interior and engine compartment, replaced the typical things under the hood such as plugs,battery, heater core,radiator,water pump,thermostat, hoses,clamps,belts and alternator also a new set of four tires, with all the correct replacement parts and made it look pretty good - you be the judge - see pics. The dash pad is warped,the carpet is old (ok for now) seat covers and foam in good shape. I'll be pulling my car out of storage this spring and want to get ideas about what I should do next. I'm not a body man or a mechanic, but I want to slowly bring her back to life. She runs ok, but realize it is going to need work if I want to preserve her and also feel safe to drive. Prior to storing, pulled out the carpet, seats, the rear interior panels and back seat out. I started stripping paint from one of the fiberglass rear side panels - what a job - I'll just touch up the other side, too envolved otherwise. I replaced the carpeting on the fold down rear seat assembly, cleaned and polished the chrome,
stripped,primered and repainted the metal exposed assemblies including the roof bows. Also, removed the sliding rear air vent assemblies, dismantled, stripped,primered rebuild fore/aft slides. All turned out beautiful! The car had a little work done some 20 years ago. The floors in the trunk and around the gas tank show rust. There is newer metal at the front where your feet go. But the rest of the floors look like they could be patched or replaced. I scraped and sanded off rust and paint in the trunk and on the floor before storing and sprayed a rust inhibitor on these surfaces for temporary protection. The rear quarters at the rear - bottom have rust, the doors appear to be in good shape, but their rubber seals are in need of replacing. The front quarters have some small bubbles coming up. The frame and shock towers appear to be ok. But when I drove her last summer, the front end creaked. If you push down on the front fenders you can hear the creak. I don't know if its shocks,springs, or what. I took it to a suspension shop and they couldn't pin point it. They said the suspension looked ok. So, what do you think, should I start with the sheet metal - floors,trunk,gas tank too since the trunk is being redone and its the original tank - probably not a bad idea. As for the suspension and shocks, how much difference would there be if I set up to eventually handle a V8 versus the Inline six? I found out (after the fact) the motor is not original to the car so originality would not matter at this point. If a V8 set-up is reccomended, what do you think about these crate motors and transmissions out there as opposed to a used 289 correct for 65? Please keep all of your ideas,suggestions and pictures of your projects coming. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks so much.

[Veronica]

Hello.The mystery squeak is usually one of two things.Either the upper control arm bushing or the coil spring.Ford didn't put anything between the coil spring and the spring perch.That's why people frequently put a thin piece of rubber or something in there.Swapping over to a V-8 is not going to be cheap.You have to switch out all of the steering components except for the steering gear box,the front spindles,all of the brake stuff,the entire rear axle assembly,etc, etc...I think that I'd get the rust taken care of first so that you have a solid platform to start with.This probably isn't a car that you will be able to fix,sell and make money because,no matter what you do, it's still originally a 6cyl car.It is ,however a very pretty car that you could drive and enjoy for many years to come.Hope that helps. (still waitng on the pics of that Shelby)