Looking to make my '66 Coupe Stand out a little!

[tiger1dd]

Background info first: I have a stock 66 coupe. It's an I6, with manual steering, and drum brakes. It's also a non-gt. Doesn't really qualify as a classic muscle car. It's currently a dark blue.

Here is where I want some help/opinions on what to do, and what you guys think:

What I want to do is change the appearance of it to make it stand out a lot! She's up for a sanding and paint job, so I'm thinking of repainting black. And by repainting black, I want to "black-out" the car. Most modern sport cars are very monotone in color, with some contrasts (i.e. black, with some silver).

I'm going to add fog lights, side scoops, and the gt rear valence, with the exhaust going through that. Next, I'm thinking of a 67 shelby style hood scoop (Link to CJ Pony Parts ). This would require hood pins, which would add an "aggressive" look, I think/hope.

Then, I'm hoping to add the "drag" style wheel setup (i.e. Back tires a little taller and wider than the fronts). I think I can get away with the taller/wider tires since I'll have to use 4 lug- to - 5 lug adapters. For this, which rims should I go with? I like all of the rims in the "torq thrust" series, but do I go with the darker rims or more polished looking rims?

Finally, I'm going to change out the gas cap and brake light bezels to these billet aluminum types (link to ebay) for a better contrast.

The only other things I can think of are.... Rear window louvers? (I don't think they'd look good, but I haven't seen them on any coupes to be able to judge.) How about a front spoiler? It wouldn't really be needed, but would it add to the look?

As for working on the mechanical aspect, I plan to make the 200 run like a V8, and that can come later, as that's the easier part for me.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[tx65coupe]

I wouldn't run the larger tires in the rear. The 200 won't like that much. I would stay with 205 or 215s.

Which fog lights do you want? Are you thinking about the factory GT style ones? I have those on my car and love them.

I have to ask, why do you want to follow the trends with blacking it out? They look so much better in the classic form.

The rear window louvers on anything before 69 look terrible especially on coupes. Definitely don't do this.

I have to vote no for the billet parts, that just like ricey bling.

Instead of going all show and no go, why not do some improvments that will actually help the car?

You could upgrade to a 2 bbl carb and get a split manifold for it and a pair of turbo mufflers. I'd run dual 2 inch pipes. You don't need bigger than that. A member BAMustang on mustang forums has that setup and his car sounds great.

If you haven't already take a look at these sites.

http://www.fordsix.com/

http://www.classicinlines.com/

 

[hipo_p51]

IF you are trying to decide how to restomod your 6 cyl, 66 coupe. Do a search or this site. I am sure there are a lot of guys/gals that have done work to cars just like yours. I would surely follow tx65coupe's suggestions.

These are 45 year old cars, remember that. If you want louvers, 'bLINg', billet, black out whatever and that other stuff like that. Go buy a new 2011 Stang. Keep the classics, 'Classic!'

 

[rbohm]

my advice would be to keep exterior mods subtle. dont go too wild, definitely 86 the rear window louvers, they just dont look good on a coupe.

as for scoops, again keep it subtle and tasteful. the shelby side scoops are fine, as is the early hood scoop. perhaps use an "R" model front valance panel that allows the use of the stock front bumper. if you want to run spoilers, keep them low key, and paint them body color.

remember that even though many mustangs have survived and/or been resurrected over the years, they stand out by themselves in stock form.

 

[tiger1dd]

Thanks to all for the helpful replies! I've decided to repaint black, and remove the side ornaments, "mustang" emblems, and tri-bar pony logo emblems. From there, I'm hoping to add the gt style fog logs so the front of the car doesn't look "naked".

Then, I'm just going to add some new rims (torq thrust, hopefully) with all the same sizes, and add a lowering kit.

I might borrow some other parts (side scoops, etc) just to see how they look on the car, and decide from there. I still want to go with the billeted gas cap and tail light bezels, for the black/aluminum contrast, as well. I noticed in the npd magazine where there is a black billeted gas cap just like the aluminum one I found. That's going to be another decision (my current one is pretty worn out, anyway).

I took a picture of a 66 with the same color paint as mine, and touched it up in paint with a black paint job and the billeted bezels and caps- I like it.

Anyways, thank to everyone for the replies! Hopefully someone can help guide me in the right direction for rims, as well.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[JonK]

I really like the idea of the speed car look with a 6 as you can still make the 6 pretty impressive. One of my favorite cars at our local cruise in is an early 60's box Nova 2dr. (dont' know my chevy yrs. that well) with tubs, rollbar, race gauges, etc. and an old 60's open face helmet on the back seat. This car screams <10sec. 1/4mi., when you get to the open hood, it's a 6! Beautifully executed.

You might also look at black chrome for some of the trim, etc. maybe around the f/r windows? just an idea.

As mentioned i'd avoid huge tires on the 6 but lowering it will give you a similar effect, get it where the wheel well lip is level with the tire top and there's not much light showing and it'll look hunkered and ready to pounce. Make sure the tire clears without scraping, you may have to roll the fenders, I did.

If it's an auto I'd go for the open front valence as mentioned. You might want to look at side exhaust before the rear tire if you go with a dual exh. for the 6, shouldn't be as loud to you as a driver as the V8 side exh. but I've never heard one either. Would give the race look though.

If you want rims that say 'track only' then I'd go with these style affordable steel rims, they'll be my next set for sure as I'm going TransAm series look:

Jon

 

[JonK]

Just stumbled across some pics of a car that looks just like what you're describing and he has the billet tailllight bezels and gas cap to boot!
66 Restoration / Pics - Vintage Mustang Forums

Nice looking car
Jon

 

[68stang351]

This is one of my favorite black 65-66 coupes I've ever seen. I took this at Hallett last year.

This car is super clean, and super simple, so much so that it stands out. That's why it caught my eye. I dig the wheels on it too.

 

[tiger1dd]

thanks for the pics guys!

I like the look ALOT from the pics. I have a 3spd manual, so that will be the first thing mechanically to go. I'm going to go with a T5, rebuild the engine with 250 heads and add a turbo to conquer the "low-compression" scenario! (That would work, right?)

I also like the cobra 10 spoke wheels from npd, they are in 14x6's, which is the same size as my current steel wheels. I also found 4 lug -to- 5 lug converter plates that are 2in thick, so that should give the "wide" tire look, and the lowering will give it the "tall" look.

Thanks for the replies!

cheers,
Dave

 

[rbohm]

dave, if you really want 5 bolt wheels, then scrounge up a set of 65-66 V8 spindles, or a set of 67-69 spindles(they are all the same 6 or V8), and swap them in, they practically bolt it by the way, and search up a 5 lug rear end, an 8" granada or similar rear end will do just fine. that way you dont have to deal with bolt pattern adapters, and you get the advantage of being able to use larger brakes, including disc brakes for the front. if you want to minimize the amount of work and are willing to stay with the stock drum brakes, then look into using wheels from early to mid 70s datsuns as they used the same bolt pattern that ford used on their six cylinder cars. and no you cant use pinto/mustang ll/fox body wheels without adapters as the bolt patterns are different.