Value of keeping '66 CA C code original

[metaldad641]

I just bought a 1966 C code coupe for my son and I to work on. We intended to do something between a restomod and a sleeper. We bought this car because it was straight and rust free. It has 76K on the odometer, the last owner thought that was right.

The more I look at this car, the more I realize how original it is. The engine has a Thermactor, the CA NOX kit and sticker, and a Sears air conditioner, and nothing has been changed.

So do we start tearing into this thing because there were 100,000 made, or is it a time capsule? I could pull the whole motor and replace it with a 88+ 5.0, with cosmetics to make it look 66'ish.

 

[eleanor_350]

That's a tough call in my opinion. While it's not a rare car as far as options, early Mustangs in unmolested original condition are getting hard to come by. I'd say it depends on how much restoration the car needs. If it just needs a few cosmetics to be a nice driver, then I wouldn't modify it too much. But if it needs major restoration then I would restomod away if I wanted to.

 

[rhyno9]

It really depends on what you are planning on doing with the car. A c code coupe is not worth the time and money to go concours so I wouldn't bother with that.

As far as changes go, any restomod change made that can be easily reversed (nut and bolt) won't affect the "original" value as long as you keep the original parts. For the "modified" value just look at ebay. There are restomods bringing big $$$$ over there. Usually it's more than the "original" value would have been for the same car.

The trend these days are big wheels, big brakes, good handling and comfortable road manners. Many of these modified are bringing in more $$$ than an original C code would ever warrant. If it was a k code definately original, if it was an A code more than likely original is the way to go. A C code modify it.

Personally I would add disc brakes, dual resivoir master cylinder, and updated wheel/tire combo because their are so many stupid drivers on the road. Safety first.

If you want to upgrade the engine performance use the 88 5.0 and leave the 289 in the time capsule corner of the garage.

The original cars are too "Secretary" for my taste. I like the performance side of these cars and stock just won't get it done for me. But you know what? It's not my car so that means it's really up to you and your son.

 

[zookeeper]

I had the same issue with my car, a '68 bench seat fastback with a 2 bbl 289 and a C4 trans. The car only had 91,000 easy miles on it and I bought the car with the intention of building a Shelby clone. I looked at it this way: if I bought the car new, would I have chosen this motor? The answer is "no", so the 289 came out. It seemed like a shame to simply let the motor rot, but fate stepped in when the 289 in my Dad's street rod lost an oil pump and susequently the motor. I gave him the motor, we simply detailed it and it's been doing fine in it's new home, delivering 20+ mpg on sunny days. I bought a 330hp 302 crate motor and installed a genuine Shelby 2x4 intake and a pair of 390cfm holleys as well as a set of Patriot ceramic-coated Tri-Y's in my fastback and should be firing the whole thing in a couple weeks. I do not believe in modifying rare or valuable cars beyond the point of no return, though. My wife bought a '69 427 Corvette years ago with only 56,000 miles on it and we still have it, and although it's been totally restored, it's also very stock, right down to the shades of paint in the engine compartment and the factory stickers. It would be a shame to lose the identity of such a nice big block/4 speed car, but they made a zillion C-code Mustangs and I really don't know too many people who get goosebumps seeing a 2 barrel 289.

 

[1320stang]

How old is your son? Is it for him to drive?

It sort of depends on how much you paid for it and how easy it is to find decent cars in your area. If you're in SoCal, you seem to be able to find decent cars from what I've seen. If you got a pretty smoking deal on the car, I think I'd detail it out, do some minor resto and turn it as original cars are hard to come by, remember, it's only original once.

Then I'd take the money and find a decent 6 cyl. '67-'68 coupe and do that car up. Parts for them are about as easy to find as they are for the '65-'66, the car looks a bit more aggresive, the engine bay is bigger and you can fit more tire in it if you eventually choose.

 

[LMan]

..just don't cut the car or make changes you cannot go back on. Engines swap, bolt-ons, bolt on.....they can all be reversed without harming the car's value.

You'll have plenty to do on the car before you ever get to the point of irreversibly modifying it.

 

[metaldad641]

Thanks for the really thoughtful reply's, I think I have my answer. I'm going to:
1.) Put in a MasterPower front brake kit with their cylider and prop valve, and renew the rear drums.
2.) Put on some decent take-off wheels and tires, probably 15x7
2.) Replace/renew the front suspension with poly bushings, with parts kits from Laurel Mountain
3.) Drop the upper arms using the per the instructions on FTW racing site
4.) Replace the steering ball joints, also with a Laurel Mountain kit
5.) Have it aligned
6.) Take off the thermactor system and replace the vacuum advance and then tune it carefully, stop the oil leak, etc.
7.) Add a simple 4 point roll bar and mount 4-point h-belts on it. (I know it sounds racy, but it would block access to the rear seat as well as mount the belts. He's 16.)

Then if my son follows through and does the prep work, paint it and replace the smallest set of things possible in the interior.

I'll try to sell the Thermactor, hub caps and the Sears air on eBay.

How's that sound for a plan?

 

[rhyno9]

7.) Add a simple 4 point roll bar and mount 4-point h-belts on it. (I know it sounds racy, but it would block access to the rear seat as well as mount the belts. He's 16.)

I would check the legislation on the 4 point seat belts. I have heard that certain types of safety restraints are illegal on the street. I am not sure if it was just rumor or locale specific thing but I wouldn't want your son to get in trouble over that. Either way you should be able to at least mount 3 point belts on the bar which shouldn't be illegal.

Aside from the possible seat belt issue it sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[19Nathen66]

I have a k-code in my 66, with only 41K on it. Everything original. Most of you will think im full of crap cuz im a kid, but i say keep that c-code in there and do what you want to it. Everyone tells me to take out my k-kode and save it cuz its worth big bucks and i know it is....but its not goin anywhere cuz i inherited it and it will stay in my family. So if your son is going to have it, let it be the way you two want it to be. Then he can give it to your grandson. Dont swap it out...But hey, im just a kid, so what do i know!?...

 

[justford]

Any upgrades to the car will only improve the car and make it worth more. Start with safety upgrades and go from there.

 

[DukeGnarley]

I would check the legislation on the 4 point seat belts. I have heard that certain types of safety restraints are illegal on the street. I am not sure if it was just rumor or locale specific thing but I wouldn't want your son to get in trouble over that. Either way you should be able to at least mount 3 point belts on the bar which shouldn't be illegal.

Aside from the possible seat belt issue it sounds like a good plan to me.

i find that very hard to believe.

 

[rhyno9]

It's my understanding that the harnesses are not DOT approved thereby making them illegal on the street. If a manufacture is willing to pay the fees to get them DOT approved then they would be ok.

That is what my old neighbor told me when I asked him why he kept the original belts in addition to the harness that was attached to his rollbar. Like I said it might be just a rumor or it might be true.

I would suggest calling the local police station (or if your state requires vehicle inspections the inspection office) and asking one of the officers if it is an issue or not.

 

[LMan]

For street use, Id skip the roll bar and mount up a 3-point belt (s).

In an accident, guess what your son's head is going to hit if there's a roll bar next to his ear?

 

[TrickStang37]

modify the hell out of it. i hate seeing stock weenie cars, they can be so boring. i could care less if a car is rare. you see one concourse car, you seen them all. i would rather see a butchered riced out mustang than a stock one, atleast theyre trying to show some creativity. if i saw two identical MaCh 1's with 351w's for instance, one all stock, another with a 408 stroker, afr heads, the works, easily the modified one would strike my interest to look at. maybe its just me but i like cars with style and personality, when people arent afraid to go against the grain a little and dig into their car a little. you only live once.

 

[DJCarbine]

I have a CA C code coupe with all the original NOX kit and sticker etc.....


In fact, the first thing I did was rip all that emissions crap out

 

[metaldad641]

OK I'm convinced. We start with the brakes in two weeks (paint has to dry in the garage.) Look for the concors correct airpump on some other forum's calssified. Cheers.