Question

I purchased a 1965 (early model I think based on some paperwork) Mustang.  I had planned to repaint Modify and make a decent daily driver out of it for my wife.. She has always wanted one..  I found one.. but I think this one may be too original to resto Modify ..  

Original  parts..or never modified that I could tell:
Engine  170 six cylinder(verifying numbers tomorrow) no power anything - runs has oil at end of tailpipes.. (head gasket maybe?) ran ok I have driven much worse before :-)
trans - Auto
Paint - Wimbledon white(some minor poorly repaired rust areas) bottom edges and such; has a thin line pin stripe no clue if thats added or not..
Floor pan and trunk pan - no rust thru (some surface rust in trunk)
Dash area - No extra holes still has original radio
Seats - no tears or rips found
head liner - no tears or rips
Dashpad (one crack)
Windshield - needs replacing has a crack (heat most likely)
No Ac
Driving lights grille –
All chrome in place and serviceable
Not original rims, valve cover engine compartment brace and air cleaner but these were the only Items I could see for sure were not original.. even the shocks looked original !

My question and I know this is a moral and philosophical dilemma. But I know what I plan to do will take the car well away from original..  Should I use this one that seems to be quite original or sell this one and move on to one that  has already been modified before and make that one a daily driver?

She wants the 6 banger Auto no power anything option. Go figure..

So do I use this car or sell and keep hunting another?

T W O
Pensacola Florida  

If you plan to keep the car I would build it the way you want. If you think you might try to sell the car later, you might keep it original, but I think there are a lot of six cyl. out there. If it is nothing really rare I would modify it. It might even make it worth more than a plain old six cyl. I would make it how you want it because who cares what it is worth if it is what you want and you plan to keep it. That is my way of thinking with my 66.  

Yeah I agree with bschmalz, its your car make it how you want it. One thing to remember is if you are going to put a V8 in it, to do it right you will have to change the front suspension,transmission and rear end.That means a donor car or aftermarket part$$. I was in the same spot you are with my 66 6cyl. Then I realized all I wanted was a great running dependable classic Mustang,so I rebuilt the 6 cyl and enjoy driving it just like it is.  

I would also suggest saveing everything you switch over. Clean the parts, paint and detail them and wrap them up and store them all together. That way if you did sell the car you can pass on the original parts to the new owner.