In general, how do stock '65s handle twisties

Okay, I just bought my first mustang--65 fastback, 4spd, pwr drums, manual steering--and I'm going to pick it up near Monterey, CA tomorrow. I was planning on taking Hwy 1 back home (375 miles) which, to those unfamiliar, is a beautiful coastal drive, but also very narrow and winding. Having never driven a classic muscle car before, what should I watch for in terms of handling? I know it's impossible for you to tell me exactly how my car will handle, but assuming it's stock and everything works more or less the way it's supposed to...

I honestly would have it inspected by a professional before driving it that many miles but regardless of that the car will probably handle just fine. Aside from some slight bump steer these cars are basically point and shoot as far as handling goes.

I'd also have it checked out before I drove it for that many miles.

Also with power drum brakes i'd definitely put some extra distance between yourself and the car in front of you and slow down before coming into curves. Drums have the capability of locking up. It shouldn't be raining but if it does or if you get those drums wet be careful of the possibility that it will pull to one side. Also be careful of unbalanced brakes cause they will also pull to one side as well.

To be honest, unless you know a lot of history on the car and/or really trust the seller, I would be very hesitant to make that drive on HWY 1 for your first drive for a couple of reasons. First, its a difficult drive, there is a lot of downhill braking and that is hard on any brake system, conversly with all the up hill acceleration you will be taxing your cooling system as well. Last, gas/service stations are few and far between.

HWY 1 would be fun drive once you have a chance to inspect the cars systems and feel confident in them, .....and it will definately keep your arms very busy with all the tight turns and shifting that will be needed!!

I hear you regarding the inspection. In hindsight I wish i had pushed a little more to get that done while there was time. But the owner swears that she runs great and can be driven anywhere. (Of course he would.)

I just don't want to end up in the drink... a.k.a. the Pacific, suddenly driving a seahorse because I wasn't used to the steering/suspension/brakes. Simple answer to my stupid question: I'll just take it really easy until I'm more familiar with my new ride. But I'll be damned if I'm going to miss my photo-op at Bixby bridge.

Thanks for the tips.

coolblue,

Thanks for the advice. Maybe i will just do 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach and hop on 101.

You know what drum brake fade is right?

So, be sure to use some engine braking to assist going down hill and don't forget to do a little backing up when you get the chance.

First I love driving my fastback, even when it was stock. Having said that, stock they are a handful on any corner. Poor brakes, spongy suspension and vague steering manners make for a white-knuckled ride, even at moderate speeds. But if you know the limits and respect them, you'll be fine. After all, they were driving them around corners in 1965 weren't they?

In their day they swere considered quite good, of course their day was 45 years ago. If you have been driving a 2009 anything, it won't handle as well. It'll have power, though, so it'll be tempting. There are many easy ways to upgrade handling on these cars, but that's for a later day.

If the car is in good shape, it will handle just fine. There are no long grades (it's a coastal highway).
The single biggest concern is emergency braking (read, idiots who pull out without looking, and those that slam on the brakes because they *might* miss a view).
So take a flash light with you, and do the following:
1). Check the brake reservoir level, should be full of clear fluid.
2). With the engine off, pump the brakes 4 times on a two second count ("one-onethousand, two-onethousand" pedal down; "one-onethousand, two-onethousand pedal up). Then hold the pedal down with a medium hard push (about 40lbs to 60 lbs) for about 30 seconds. Make sure the pedal does not start to drift towards the floor. This will show a leaking wheel cylinder or bypassing master cylinder.
3). After the above test, take your flash light, and look at the bottom of each backing plate to make sure it is still clean and dry. If there is any moisture, stop! Take the car for a brake inspection.

There is no back up system on a '65-'66, and the P brake is very poor in an emergency situation. So the brake system needs to be in exceptional condition. Any good tire and brake shop can do an inspection in less than a couple of hours time. A great opportunity, to grab a killer lunch, at one of many excellent restaraunts, and maybe stroll around for a bit before the long drive home.

If the brakes are good, take your time, and enjoy the ride. I'll bet the car has been down this road more than a time or two.
Good luck!

And yes, a follow up to this thread with pictures of your trip is mandatory! Welcome to the wonderful world of Classic Mustangs.

DO NOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTT pick up that car and pay without an inspection. 2 this year we have had cars come through here where the guy spent over 20k on a car that is junk. One conv, one FB. I mean just, as in not worth restoring unless MAYBE it was a rare car. Even then maybe a Shelby. One was so rusted I told him I wouldn't drive it because I was afraid the front frame rail could literally break in two. The other we saw bend as soon as the lift started to pick up the car. Both from up north a bit in CA, one collector, one car broker. Both had nice paint jobs on them.

Yeah, I'm already pretty nervous. It was an ebay auction. I asked lots of questions, everything sounds pretty solid. All the pictures look really clean as well. Guy has sold many cars on ebay, has excellent feedback, said zero rust, runs great.

I will do a thorough inspection when I get there. If he's lying then I will walk. I just hope I'm savvy enough to spot anything.

66runt--thanks for the advice about the brakes!

Any other last minute tips before I get on the train tomorrow @ 6am?

bring someone with you, anyone who is a good rust spotter, someone who knows mustangs... cmon you know you want someone to talk to on the way back!! and i second the 17 mile drive -> 101, you'll have way more fun putting around 17 mile drive in the beautiful area of pebble beach and everyone will get to see your stang . but do beware of idjits, they are all around that area because they are so used to no one being there. your drums will stop very well not as well as discs of course, but well enough. just don't over tax them.

I had the same kind of expirence when I bought a 64 Galaxie that was 180 miles away. After stopping for gas in the first 20 miles the car would not start again. My mother and I ended up calling the guy who drove down to the station and showed me how to start it with a pair of pliers. He also threw in the pliers into the deal. My mother and I still talk about the trip back home. I say put insurance on it right away and enjoy the drive.

also, let me just say my experience buying my stang. when i got it it had drums riding on metal, the suspension was saggy, the steering was more than sloppy ( would not return even close to center ) but i would still deem it was safe to drive home.. little screechy lol but it made it there and to the insurance office, to AAA and home, next week it went to the shop tho lol.

but 375 miles is a long way.

I hear ya Voodoo, the Bixby Canyon photo op is hard to pass up. See if you can figure that into your drive. If you take 101, though, which I officially recommend, Bixby stop or no, be careful of the long descent between SLO (I think?) and Santa Barbara, and that windy tunnel area before Goleta. I travel there all the time in my normal car to see a buddy who lives in SB, and I would be real sure I had good brakes, and use lots of engine braking down those big hills.

Enjoy, play it safe, and post when you make it home safe - I'm sure we'll all be waiting to hear the story!

Hey, thanks for all the responses. Unless I feel REEALLY secure in the new stang I will opt for the safer route home. Either way, my next thread will have pics from the trek!

If you get it mechanically inspected before leaving, you'll likely have a wonderful trip. Just because a stock 65 Mustang doesn't handle as well as a 2009 Cobra, doesn't mean it won't be fun to drive- it'll be a blast. If the car is in good shape, you'll get a lot of attention, too.

Youll think your arms are gonna fall off! Once you get used to it, its no big deal, but having never driven one I bet youll be thinking "how the hell do you steer/stop this thing?!" I got a Washington that says your arms will be sore tomorrow. Just give yourself plenty of "oops" room, and youll be fine. Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Welcome to the club...classic Mustangs are a blast to drive, easy to work on and always get lots of attention.

Everyone was spot on in their advice and as long at the car is in the condition the seller described it should drive just fine. I addition to checking the brakes I would also look in the radiator and see if it has a lot of gunk in it. I once bought a 66 Mustang in decent shape but the owner didn't use antifreeze (Texas) and there was a lot of rust particles floating around and it overheated several times on the way home. I had about a 60 mile drive over flat terrain (at night even so it was not hot outside) so I was able to let it cool, refill it and make it home with several stops.

The other thing you should do is drive it around a while until you are familiar with the way it handles and brakes. The old suspensions tend to bounce a lot and there is a lot of body roll in the turns, not to mention more play in the steering than you will be used to. But once you get a feel for it you'll be fine.

FYI - I added stiffer front coil springs and rear leaf springs as well as a 1" sway bar on the front of my 66 and it handles a whole lot better. There is still play in the steering as all ball and worm steering boxes have, but no more body roll and she handles corners very nicely.