Well, anyone that knows me would say yes, but read on and you tell me what you think. I want to buy my wife a mid to late 60's Mustang convertable. She asks for very little and has put up with my **** for almost 20 years, so I think it's time she should get something she wants. To do this I will need to liquidate something. Choice #1: Sell the '50 Chevy that Mike (kustombuilder) has done the chop on and borrow the difference (ouch). Choice #2: Sell the '49 Fleetline (I should get enough to buy the Mustang), keep the '50 and spend the next few years getting it finished. Choice #3: Sell both and buy my Dad's '49 Pontiac 4dr. Ok, before you flinch yourself to death, take a look at these pics. The Pontiac is super nice, mostly original w/ newer paint. Runs good but has the flat 6 in it. Burns a little oil and leaks a little. The other photo is one that someone put up on another post. I'm diggin' this a lot. I've always liked the bellflower look. Skinny whites and 'flaked roofs. So, let's hear what YOU have to say.
# 2 for me as well...really hate to see you sell that '50...it's gonna be gorgeous!!! '49 Olds' are cool...in the two door version or the fast back version...four doors simply have too many doors!!! R-
#3. Get your wife the car she wants (very cool of you, btw) and keep your dad's car in the family. Fix what needs fixing on your dad's car, airbag it, and roll. Nothing wrong w/ four doors when they're that clean and attractive.
how about choice #4? give her the 49 Fleetline and you keep the 50. i know that picture. i took it at Hollywood hot rods open house.
I'll leave the choices to the others, but if there's anything you want to know about those Mustangs, let me know. I'm sure I can help if it's unfamiliar territory. Approximate values, options, problem areas to look out for, you name it.
I'd say go for #2 as well. That's part of the reason I'm going to sell my chevy is to finish the wife's Skylark convertible I bought a coulpe months ago. I should have enough dough then left over to buy me the start of another project for me.
Donzie, My advice is near worthless, but here it is: #1: You're going to take a beating if you sell a half finished project. Been there, have the scars to prove it. #2: Unless you're attached to the Fleetline (and it doesn't sound like you are), the only downside is that you'll be without a cruiser of your own. Two years is a really short time, especially since you can get your old car fix driving the Mustang around... or maybe pony cars don't do it for you. #3: Is this a distress sort of situation? Will your dad sell the car if you don't buy it? Does your dad need the money? Has your dad had the car for as long as you can remember? If the answer is "yes", then I'd think long and hard about buying it. As far as four doors go, it's not that offensive. I'd be more worried about the flat six's ability to drag race mopeds. Overall, I'd lean against selling the '50, even if you're getting tired of it or whatever. You're going to lose a lot of time and money if you sell. Ed
Do what the Yuppies are doing...buy a Tripple********ing UGLY 05 Mustang convertible and PRETEND it's a real 65-68 Mustang! You can finance it with very little down and make easy monthly payments over the next five years! Comes with a warranty (that you're gonna NEED!) and everything!!!
YEs u are. #2 IMHO...The most Kustom (if yah dig it) is the one to keep, anything else can be more easily replaced down the track. =] Cheers MKK
I guess I don't understand what buying your dad's car is going to do in the way of getting your wife a Mustang. Sounds like your getting rid of two cars and replacing them with one leaving your wife without a car. What am i missing in this ? I don't think you should buy your dad's car regardless, it isn't going to fit in with your style of ride. If you sacrifice one of your cars to get her a ride I can see that and in that case your going to have to decide which of the ones you have now you'd most like to keep. As far as taking "years" to get the chopped one done I can't envision it taking more than a winter if that long. If getting your wife a car entails borrowing some money so be it. I'm currently involved in a similar move and I'm looking at it as more of an "investment" than a cost. Frank
That is EXACTLY what I was wondering myself. Sell everything. Buy her a car. That's what I would do if I were a husband. Also...something to think about... Does she REALLY WANT a car, be it a Mustang or not? Or is this just something that she has somewhat showed interest in, just to be on your playing field? Would she enjoy that money spent elsewhere, moreso? Honestly, it's something to consider. Just because YOU have the obsession, doesn't mean she'll neccesarily be as thrilled about getting an old car as you would be, even if she "likes" them.
Lots of good points here. Yes, a Mustang is what SHE wants, and I have my reasons for her getting it. I realize I'll take a loss on the '50, no way around that. As far as the time to finish the '50, it will need a motor and ******, interior (I have some T-Bird seats for it), not to mention bodywork and paint. Bagging would be ideal but dropped spindles and a C notching might get it down enough. There's a few $Ks. My dad wants to sell the Pontiac. He's only had it a few years so it's not a family heirloom., but a super nice car. Just trying to weigh my options. If I can sell the '49 I could probably pay cash for her car. I would focus on getting the truck project on the road to have a driver then I could work on the '50 as money would allow. I really appreciate all of your input. #2 is the way I was leaning....but I do like the pic of that 4dr Chevy. Frank, Rich, don't forget to get me that info on the 'stangs
i think if i was you i'd sell the Fleetline to get a Stang for the wife. i know how bad you want to do that for her and the sacrifice would be worth it. you'll get good money for the 49 as it sits and should'nt lose anything on it. i would then keep the 50 and work on it as time and money allows. don't get in a big yank and it'll be a more enjoyable build and much less stressful financialy and emotionaly. you have some super talented friends up your way and if you don't try to do too much at once i bet you'd get alot of help, on the hard stuff, out of them. i'd also sell the pieces of that truck project (ok I would'nt cause i can't focus, but you should) and stick to the car. you'll have a hard enough time finishing one car let alone 2 (or 3 if the Stang needs work). that way you won't lose your *** on the 50. with enough time and elbow grease and just a small amount of money, (as long as you don't hire out the work) you'll turn the point were the car would no longer be a lose to sell but might even make you a profit if you play your cards right. more importantly i know you'd realy enjoy that 50 once you had it roadworthly. even in 12 shades of rattle can primer. you have one of the most talented and knowledgable car guys on the board right there in your back yard. and for some reason he considers you a friend . you should sit down with Frank and come up with a game plan, and some very detailed "to do" and "to get" lists. break it down into catagories and figure out what needs to be done and what needs to be located first, then second and so on. that way you can chip away at this rather large project in little, more manageable chunks. i've come by this knowledge the hard way. learn from my mistakes young Jedi. good luck with whatever you decide.
You can rule out option #1. No way I'd sell a PAID FOR car and go into debt for a different car. Don't understand #3. Who gets to drive it? You or the wife? Option #2 looks good if you have to buy her a car. What did you do that you feel guilty enough to consider selling your car to buy her one?
Ah hell, if I just felt guilty about something I did I'd just buy her some damn flowers. This gal has been there for me in good times and bad, and I've put her through some rough times so I'd like to repay her for it. She's having some health issues (not looking for pitty here) and it's the one really big thing she's ever asked for so I'm going to do what I can to make it happen. I know she wouldn't want me to sell everything. She knows tinkering on the cars makes me happy and I know she would not appreciate the Mustang if it meant selling it all to get it. I'm sure some of you can relate.
The Jalopy Journal
