Is thIs hobby becoming to "rich" for the average enthusiast??
by mac1971
When you mention $600(US!)for a set of good bucket seats, I know that my days of buying and restoring 71-73 stangs are over. I have put close to $25,000 cdn. into my 429cj restoration, not including the 800+ hours of my own time. Although not a concourse car, it is a car that I do not wish to abuse. Therefore, I began searching for a 71-73 convertible that I could restore as a summer cruiser, but I have watched the price of parts on these cars go out of control. Sadly, I decided that I could not afford to buy another 71-73 'stang. Not wanting to move away from the spirit of the Mustang, I started looking at the newer Mustang Convertibles, to see what the pricing was on these cars. I recently bought a 1983 5 liter 5-speed Mustang Convertible to restore as a summer cruiser. I bouht the car for $400 (cdn, which works out to about a "buck and a half" US...) As you know, parts are plentiful, and reasonable to buy. After 21 years of owning strictly 71-73 'stangs, I am now the proud owner of the above noted car. It needs some work, but I beleive that with a little elbow grease on my part, and approximately $2000-$3000(cdn), I will have a very nice summer cruiser in the years to come. I feel comfortable with my decision to move away from the 71-73 'stang, but, I will never part with my one true passion, my 71-429cj... Just some thoughts from somebody who has had to take a hard look at the future of restoring very early Mustangs, especially here in Canada. Then, having to buy good parts from the states, and pay the awful exchange rate... Any comments? Ken M.
Posted on Sep 15, 1999, 10:28 PM from IP address 216.154.37.219