66 Fastback A code

[jahearne]

Hi everyone,

I fell head over heels for this 66 Fastback that I got for my wife; both were born in the same year. I fell head over heels for her, too! Due to work related injuries, she can't drive the Fastback without power steering or brakes yet alone operate the 4-speed.
This Fastback was driven hard and put away wet. Scale 0-5, it's a 3 some of the body panels are a bit lumpy otherwise it'd be a number 2 car. Lots of new parts, lots of sheetmetal replaced, VIN no longer exist, etc. So, I'm tempted to replace the '68 302 and the 4-speed for 86-93 5.0 and AOD, add power steering and power disc brakes. 4 wheel drum brakes, single master cylinder at the moment. Power disc brakes is a no brainer. But, I think it would be a shame to convert a 4-speed to automatic. I mean... not like this is numbers matching car; however, wouldn't be easier to find V8 automatic instead of converting a 4-speed to AOD.

What do you think? Should I shop around and find somebody that would want to trade my 4-speed car for their automatic? What are the chances of finding a like similar condition Fastback... or why bother since I can't prove it anything without the VIN. All I got is the door tag, which has the correct VIN or warranty number, A code. BTW, is it possilbe to restore the VIN numbers in the inner fender & core support?

Thanks,
John

San Francisco
'66 Fastback
'67 Ranchero

[supershifter2]

convert it to an auto and save the 4 speed trans and parts. its all bolt in and can easily be converted back. btw, nice lookin mustang.

[66 6]

Originally Posted by jahearne

Hi everyone,

Lots of new parts, lots of sheetmetal replaced, VIN no longer exist, etc.

'67 Ranchero

?, If your missing all three VINs on the fender aprons you killed the value for resale. Don't try and sell this to some unsuspecting buyer. Find the parts you need to get her back in the car. However your throwing money into something that will always be an issue when it's time to go.

Is the picture you posted really old? Car doesn't look THAT bad.

[ScottsGT]

Are all 3 VIN stampings missing? Hardly legal to sell a car without a VIN these days. Looks like it's time for a state issued VIN since the door tag is NOT a legal VIN.
Look into the Borgeson system.
Borgeson Universal Company :: Ford Mustang 1965-04 :: 1965-1970 Mustang Power Steering Conversion Kits :: Mustang P/S Kit, 1965-1966 289/302/351W Manual Steering

Kevin Marti at one time was providing replacement panels with the VIN stamping done correctly, but he required pencil rubbing of the original damaged part and photos of the damaged area before he would do this, for obvious reasons. Not sure if he still does this, but in your situation, I think you are SOL getting him to stamp new ones for you. Have you pulled the passenger fender to see if the other two stampings are there?

[tom991]

Originally Posted by supershifter2

convert it to an auto and save the 4 speed trans and parts. its all bolt in and can easily be converted back. btw, nice lookin mustang.

+1 go for it. You'll get better gas mileage too.

[GT350R Klone]

I would add a C4 and PB, save the parts. Hopefully you have one of the VINs that will prevent you from having to do a lot of work.

[jahearne]

Thanks for the replies. I was the unspecting buyer. I bought it that way with the sheetmetal already replaced and didn't think anything of it till now because a 4-speed car adds 10% to the value according to KBB and now we need an automatic. The car looks great from 10 feet away and that's a recent picture. We've had the car less than a year. It has WA state VIN number that's riveted to the door post. I'll pull the passenger fender to see if the numbers are still there. If no VINs then I can't prove the car's pedigree, so I might as well convert her over so my wife can enjoy it a daily driver. Yup, it's all bolt-in, save the original parts and we're good to go.

This is my first Mustang. I've had Fairlane based Rancheros & Comets most my life, 1966-up. No stranger to Fords and very very familiar with the small block six cylinders as my last two Rancheros had a tri-powered six and now a two barrel converted six; one with a T-5 and now AOD.

Thanks again for the replies & compliments! Take care and we'll see you around,

John

[gremlinsteve]

convert it to the 4r70w and never look back...

[22GT]

I swapped an auto trans into my 4-speed car when I was living in the city.

[jahearne]

I bit the bullit and purchased a wrecked 1992 Notchback for its 5.0, AOD and related parts. Got an automatic console, Mustang Steve is building the power brake booster, Borgenson power steering kit just arrived and AOD conversion parts are on the way...

[22GT]

Originally Posted by jahearne

If no VINs then I can't prove the car's pedigree, so I might as well convert her over so my wife can enjoy it a daily driver. Yup, it's all bolt-in, save the original parts and we're good to go.

Well, the VIN does not reveal the transmission type, so it really makes no difference. Ford destroyed the 64-66 Mustang records in 1979, so there's no way to research it, either.

As for the VIN, check for the ones under the fenders. If you can authenticate the VIN, have the visible VIN replaced.

[tom991]

Originally Posted by 22GT

Well, the VIN does not reveal the transmission type, so it really makes no difference. Ford destroyed the 64-66 Mustang records in 1979, so there's no way to research it, either.

As for the VIN, check for the ones under the fenders. If you can authenticate the VIN, have the visible VIN replaced.

...But the data plate on the driver's door indicates the transmission type. Mine originally came with a C4 toploader, but had a C4 when I bought it. I'm putting a T5 in eventually, already have all the parts, and with the original looking type shifter nobody will be the wiser.

[JeffTepper]

Originally Posted by jahearne

Thanks for the replies. I was the unspecting buyer. I bought it that way with the sheetmetal already replaced and didn't think anything of it till now because a 4-speed car adds 10% to the value according to KBB and now we need an automatic. The car looks great from 10 feet away and that's a recent picture. We've had the car less than a year. It has WA state VIN number that's riveted to the door post. I'll pull the passenger fender to see if the numbers are still there. If no VINs then I can't prove the car's pedigree, so I might as well convert her over so my wife can enjoy it a daily driver. Yup, it's all bolt-in, save the original parts and we're good to go.

This is my first Mustang. I've had Fairlane based Rancheros & Comets most my life, 1966-up. No stranger to Fords and very very familiar with the small block six cylinders as my last two Rancheros had a tri-powered six and now a two barrel converted six; one with a T-5 and now AOD.

Thanks again for the replies & compliments! Take care and we'll see you around,

John

The Washington State VIN is the legal VIN on that car. As far as staying true to the the factory original equipment, most cars on this forum are modified in some way or another so build it the way you want and enjoy it. Don't worry about the next guy.

[Stevea]

Did he say if he looked for all three vins? I bought a coupe a few months back and the guy had gone through all the trouble of getting a state vin on his car because he replaced the front inner apron. When I got the car I pulled both fenders and found the original vins on both sides.

[slim]

Fix it up for your wife! Let's say hypothetically it loses $0.25 in value, so what?

Slim