Posts by AussiePeteUK

  • HiPo Engine Lost - Should I replace with a Modern 302 Crate?

    1965 (Sept 23 64 Build) Kar.

    California whole life - 2 x Owners - Completely bone dry vehicle with a single patch of rust the size of a deck of playing cards on the drivers front floor. Honey Gold paint is new but not rotisserie restoration. Drivers door is not original and new door is carrying the donor vehicles door tag.

    The Differential is running a 3:1 ratio third member gear to my understanding on the original 9 inch 28 spline axle - Transmission is original to my understanding.

    Original front disk but not a GT.

    Current 289 (not HiPo) is shot.

    Question: Should I persist to hold out to try to piece together a HiPo knowing it never going to be a numbers matching vehicle or just purchase a 302 crate engine (circa 300hp $5,000) and drop it in for parable performance to the original spec?

    Or do both in parallel (might be answering my own question here).

    The vehicle is about to undergo a full front to rear replacement of all bearings, bushes and main suspension gear, brake refurb etc and new exhaust including a full rust prevention treatment. So it will be all but new underneath and throughout.

    I'd welcome any thoughts.

    Kind regards

    Peter

  • Wheel & Tyre Combination Spec

    Replacing non mustang wheels with original options.

    65 Fastback, build Sept 64. Non GT kar. Front disk original.

    What was the optimum wheel size and tyre combination front and rear for performance, look and stance?

    Reading a myriad of varying information courtesy of Internet search however a few variables.

    14 or 15 inch and what rims? Tyre width... I want to stay as true to original options of the day but have a free hand at optimisation given it all has to be replaced.

    Regards

  • 1965 Fastback - VIN - 5R09K140939 Cant Find Reliable VIN History - No Records

    Righto,

    A pleasure to become a very new member to this esteemed group of individuals.

    Going to be very honest from the outset, whilst based in the UK, I have dreamt about owning a classic 1st gen mustang for 20 or so years. This means I've been tracking the sale and history of elite vehicles for some years.

    Now that didn't mean that a glass or two of red wine didn't sway (negate) my due diligence in a recent purchase.

    So I have purchased a 1965 fastback - non running from a salvage auction - VIN 5R09K140939

    I can find no records of the vehicle from any of the historical websites.

    Vehicle is currently located in Texas - I do not yet have access to the door plate details.

    Body wise looks to be in an older restored condition - body straight and in Honey Gold Poly paint - interior needs updating but not a tip. No idea of engine bay or engine condition(?)

    My enthusiasm got the better and I do not know if it's numbers matching or original, though of course I do very much hope so.

    I have a number of questions and can of course post pictures to the forum.

    Hoping that members here can enlighten me. I'm a purist at heart so want to keep completely original to the nut an bolt where I can.

    I do have to ship to the UK, though feels like a bit of a betrayal to take the vehicle out of the US.

    Initially can members please advise if there is a reliable VIN history website that I can purchase vehicle history from?

    I'm also very keen to deliver the vehicle to a trusted mustang garage in Texas for an initial inspection report. Can members advise where to go to? The basis of this will determine if warranting staying in the US (Completely original) or worthy of shipping to the UK (a bit of a mongrel).

    I would genuinely appreciate your feedback.

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    Kind regards

    Peter