What should I do with this 64 1/2 D-code?

[bluepiston]

Don't know why I bought this but I did. It's a 64 1/2 D code coupe. Looks to be in really rough shape. Not as far as wreckage is concerned. But a fair amount of rust. But, the D code drivetrain is all there an intact. Even the 4100 Autolite 4V carb! There's no interior, front fenders, or even the entire front end. What would you guys reccomend I should do with it? I can't afford to tear it down and do a complete restoration. I do have a nice place to store it. I'd really like to make a Terlingua racing coupe with it. Forget restoration and just fix it up strictly for racing purposes. Major restomod. Help me out guys? Would love to hear your advice? Hopefully pics are attached.

 

[snowball]

64 1/2 D codes are not exactly thick on the ground. While it is a bit rough I'd personally hang on to it for a full restoration, especially as all the engine parts are there.

If you don't want to go down this road, you could always ship it to me to restore.

 

[bluepiston]

From what I've read snowball these are the rarist engines in the 64.5 lineup. If it's worth restoring I will certainly try to do that. I love hot rodding Mustangs, but NOT to the point that they cannot be restored. Tell you what I'd do, I'll ship it to you there "down under" if you'll ship one of those cool high revving V8 Falcons up this way!! We have your Mondeos (sp?) up here rebagded as GTO's. But...... they ain't selling mate.

 

[65stanger]

I agree with snowball....store that baby until such time as you can do a full restoration properly!

 

[snowball]

I think you're referring to our Holden Monaro's. Nice car, but the styling apparently doesn't go down too well in the US. The English get them as Vauxhalls and love them over there. Our Falcon (5.4l) is a better deal though, a torquier engine down low, where the LS1 needs to rev a bit more.

 

[bluepiston]

Yeah snowball the Holden. I'm sorry I couldn't think of the right name. I think the styling would have been just fine if GM hadn't tried to push it on us as a GTO. I think it pissed a lot of true muscle car folks off, including me. I think a Pontiac Monaro would have sold better. Hats off to you guys down there for producing some great cars!!

Ok, so far it's 2 votes for store and restore. I appreciate everyones advice!

 

[snowball]

Yeah, we just love our rear wheel drive cars. I don't think any full size car in FWD would sell here.

 

[CPonds66]

I would also agree to wait and restore it properly. It will be a bear finding the correct headlight buckets and hood but as an ex owner of a 64.5 D code, I would keep it relatively stock or a mild restomod.

 

[mustangprodude]

Thanks for the replies! How hard is it to weld in new metal? I can cut and fit no problem. The welding back in is what concerns me. I'm taking a welding class next year. Hoping to do this sort of work myself. I have the time and patience. Just not the money. Can a typical mechanical minded guy do this sort of work?

 

[sdgrant]

According to the Mustang Production Guide, the D-code 289 4V was the 2nd most common of the four available engines in the '64.5 models. The F-code 260 2V V8 was 47% of production, the D-code 4V V8 was 35% of production, the U-code inline 6 was 17% of production, and the Hi-Po K-code 4V 289 V8 (which started availability in the 2nd week of June, 1964) was 1% of production.

 

[mustangprodude]

That's some good info to know sdgrant. Thanks for sharing it. Seeing the 6 cyl being such a low percentage amazes me though. I figured it would have been the most common of all drivetrains. If this car were a 6 or even the 260 I wouldn't feel too bad welding in a roll bar and such. But since this is a 289 4V I think I'll do a mild restomod and have some fun with it. That way if the next owner wants to do a concours resto he'll have something decent to work with. Do you think by chance this car would have a 9" rear end?? Or is that strictly a K code option? I'll be picking the car up the day after Christmas. I'll have more pics and info then.

Oh and btw, I'm both bluepiston and mustangprodude.

 

[69rustang]

If you have the time and patience, then you can metal working no problem. Once you get the hang of it, all that you need is time and patience.
-kaleb

 

[69rustang]

BTW, here is a link to my site, you can see the custom hood I built, I built it when I was 18!
www.kalebcue.50megs.com

 

[mustangprodude]

Cool hood dude!!!! Luckily I'm a very patient guy. If people leave me alone and let me work at my own pace I can do about anything. Are there any good informative web sites on how to repair rusted Rustangs?? Or even a book??