My plan had been to sell the Miata and get a V8 Mustang, most likely a 67-68 (69, too), if possible. However, the wifey thinks a mint 67-68 Mustang should cost, oh, $2500 or so. Yes, we had the discussion prior to selling the Miata, and I'm kind of getting the short end of the stick now. So within my budget of a somewhat driver V8...my dreams have been dashed. I was hoping for something torquey. Now that I have a truck, I don't want another truck, as those fall in my budget. Converting a 6 cylinder Mustang is more of a pain than I want to deal with. If it was a drop in, my problems would be solved, as straight 6 Mustangs are fairly easy and cheap to find.

So, in the $5k or below realm, whatcha think? There are Mustangs all day long, if I want a Fox, SN95, or Terminator. I haven't researched GMs at all. Moving out of the V8 realm, I've debated 944s, Supras, MR2s, 80's 300ZXs, and anything else my brain can randomly think of. No, I don't want to build some 90s Honda hatch. Initially this was going to be my "forever project", but none of the cars I've come up with feel any more long term than any of my other vehicles that I've had. I guess I may even wait and not have a project for a bit.

Budget: $5k or less
Seats: 4, even if the rear 2 or laughable at best. I can even forgo the rear seats, to be honest.
Drivetrain: V8 preferable, after that, I don't care if it's somewhat fun

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5158628390.html

1957 Ford Ranch Wagon. It would be an amazing car when finished IMO. It is a forever project type of car IMO. You could build it with the torque you want.

I also like this fairlane
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/5174059263.html It only has a 302 in it, but it looks to have a straight body and good paint to start with.

The problem I see with that wagon is parts are really hard to find with old wagons. No one makes replacement wagon parts.

That 63 fairlane should have a 289 not a 302. It is also I car that is hard to find parts for. 64 fairlane has more parts availability.
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/cto/5150955401.html
http://pueblo.craigslist.org/cto/5165999034.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5177710337.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5137053865.html
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/5134612701.html

A Ford Falcon would be a way to get basically a mustang for cheaper.

I had thought of this one, but it's a 6 cylinder:

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/5140821535.html

Or:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5171339524.html

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/cto/5166035156.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5186803077.html

Tough call Huzer. I like the Cougars persoanlly. Considering they both need body work, I'd save the 2k up front if all else is fairly equal. My lack of car knowledge is pretty well documented though. But I would have never put those wheels on that blue merc and the trunk alignment is horrible, so not sure what is going on there.

I still like the wagon. If you get it going, then its rarity is a big part of its attraction. I guess you would have to drop a ford crate engine and modern manual tranny in it to get it on the road quickly, but I don't think that is a problem.

I like that red mustang even though it is a L6. It might be a good project for some performance upgrades. Maybe a rack and pinion setup, etc.

https://averagejoerestoration.com/1967- ... onversion/

Other than that car, I would say the red cougar.

I still have a truck waiting for you to buy, lol

Ends up the Cougar is about 10 minutes from me, so I'm going to go take a look on Thursday. The guy sent me a few more pictures and gave me a bit of history on the car. Hopefully it's decent and something I can swing a deal on. I've liked Cougars.

The rich man's Mustang.

In the 60s. Now, it's the poor man's Mustang.

I like the Cougar. Interior is rough. Rear seats good, headliner good, but rear quarters were cut for some speakers and they have since been removed. Both front seats need reupholstered. Dash pad is shot, carpet is in decent shape. Door cards look good. Glass is good, windows roll with no issues. Heat works, gauges work. Passenger side floor pan rusted through, driver's side is solid. Non-original 302 (it's a 289 car), but I pulled data on the car from the VIN and it's an original Denver car. Passenger side front needs some work, and he messed up the vacuum on the motors for the headlights. Has the original hubcabs for the car, but not the steelies. I'd probably go with Magnums or some other period looking 5 spokes.

Sequential tail lights work, as do all exterior lights. Tried to put shorty headers on and couldn't fit them so the exhaust was tack welded back together poorly, so there's an exhaust leak. Runs strong, otherwise. New carb. Needs suspension, potentially clutch. 4 wheel drums. Don't like the wheels/tires so those would have to get swapped.

All in all, a strong driver that will need quite a bit of work overall. It's about a 20 footer cosmetically. I'm going back up to drive it tomorrow afternoon and talk $$. I'm going in low, so we'll see how that goes.

https://www.asmautoupholstery.com/

Maybe Sue from Gas Monkey Garage will give you a hook up on interior work?

The car in question (original color is Jamaican Yellow):

Floor pan rust usually means it probably came from a cowl or windshield leak. The mustang/cougar are prone to rusting cowls. If you can pour water down the cowl and see where it comes out.

Jealous of the simple engine. Not sure how I missed those wheels in the original ad. I'd throw 20.00 your way to help you toward replacing those asap (unless you like them ).