[want-one]

Hi just wondering what i should look for in these cars for problems. Like i had one gentlemen tell that when it rains the water would pool in the bottm of the fenders cauesing the pilar to roit out how can you tell this, any info like this would be great thanks

[arkie 2]

Here are some good starter questions:

1. Are there any records/receipts that come with the car?

2. Do you know the history of the car? (engine work, restoration work)

3. What's the VIN and Door Codes?

5. Do all the lights work?

6. Do the wipers, turn signals, horn, and all gauges work?

7. Do the windows run nicely in the channels up and down?

8. Disk brakes up front or drum?

9. Anything leak?

10. Clear title with no issues?

11. Any evidence of bondo or rust?

12. Does the cowl leak?

13. Do the doors open and shut nicely and the locks work OK?

When you're asking about rust, in addition to the cowl check the floors, inside the wheelwells and inside the trunk. Some of it might be repairable but cowl leaks are a non starter.

[1968GTCONV]

Hi There,

Take the time to get a proper inspection both mechanically and body wise from under neath. I rushed into a car that looked great on the outside and found a nightmare underneath. Rust can be a huge issue especially in northern cars. One you know th ewhole storey then at least you can make an informed decision. Fixing a heavily rusted car will cost 10's of thousands - have a look at my pics - good luck with the search

[andrewmp6]

Make sure its a v8 car and the lugs on the wheels are 5 if its 4 walk away.If the floor pan is rusted out there is a big chance the cowl is rusted out walk away.

[thetvirus]

Most common rust areas are floor pans, the cowl, in the trunk floor, around the rear window, bottom corners of the doors, the rear quarter panels, front torque boxes, even the rear frame rail where the leaf spring shackle is. If your looking to buy a V8 car make sure it is an original V8 car and not a 6 cylinder conversion. Fifth letter in the Vin is the engine T is a 6 cylinder, C, A, and J are the basic small block V8 cars. Also if buying a fastback or convertible, make sure it is a real one not a converted coupe. Third and Fourth digits in vin show: 01 is coupe, 03 is convertible and 02 is fastback. Take a magnet over the car and see if there is any bondo on the car.

[want-one]

thanks guys, also when you say cowl is that the like vent looking thing in front of the window

[andrewmp6]

Yes its the vent below the windshield down where the wipers are.Its for fresh air it does have drain holes but dirt and leafs block them,And they rust out since ford never painted inside of it just primer.Its a real pain to fix remove the glass and cut out 100 something spot welds or buy a aftermarket heat and air unit and weld the vent shut.

[want-one]

so to find out if these holes are roiten out that would show under neath the car right ?