usafajk610
04-28-2021, 04:39 PM
Been digging around here on the forums the past week or so. I got permission from the wife, that once we get settled in our move and have some things paid down, I could build a kit car. I remember growing up my dad talking about doing, I think probably a MkI or MkII at the time, kit from FFR and that was where my mind jumped to after realizing a GT40 kit would be unobtainable for me. I'm a single-term USAF vet, my wife was just recently medically retired after most of her first enlistment was served. She works in cyber security and I recently left my job at a local powersports dealership. Worked in sales, as a service writer, and finally as a technician.
I've had a brief flirting with motorcycles over the last 2 1/2 years. I've had six bikes, one Kawasaki, one BMW, two Harleys, and two Indians. I have one Indian, for now, but it has been problematic since day one of ownership, so I'm trying to part with it. I'm over my phase with motorcycles and want to get my hands dirty with something on 4 wheels.
That being said, I've been eyeing the Type 65 Coupe, while the wife prefers the look of the Roadster. I admit the MkIV has an unmistakable style, a fair bit more options for donor/aftermarket OEM parts, and is usually a little cheaper and easier to build. So we could say I'm in the pre-pre-planning stages, assuming within the next 5 years I can get started on this and it's still able to be registered. We're relocating from Louisiana to Georgia, so I've looked through a few threads on what to prepare myself for with that. Thankfully none of the counties around Atlanta.
I did aircraft structural maintenance while in the military, so the panels and fiberglass or thoughts of doing SS tubing doesn't bother me. Just an average day. I'd be fine with doing paint as well. All part of the job, granted never anything as finely polished as what I've seen on here.
Hopefully it's ok I do this here since I don't have a car specifically in mind yet, though I'm leaning more towards the coupe.
Where I'm at so far:
Budget minded but fun and good looking. I've seen some absolutely museum quality builds on here. I'm going for looks good but I won't get upset if it gets a scratch or rock chip in the paint.
Type 65 Coupe or MkIV
Probably do a blueprint 347-TKX-5 for engine and trans. Power steering would be a must. I've never had anything with manual brakes outside of a HD Sportster, so I'd be fine with them on the car I think. Probably 3-link rear, would only do the IRS if I planned to do track stuff. Just want something to cruise and enjoy the visceral feeling of man and car. I'm mostly looking forward to the actual building of it to get a finished product.
I've toyed with the idea of the base kit and then getting new oem parts (or aftermarket equivalent) instead of the donor and taring apart to rebuild things or doing the complete kit. Price gets up there either way. I don't think I want to go with old parts, I want to have everything clean and new without the hassle of having 2 cars in various states of assembly/disassembly. Hopefully someone can chime in on the wisdom of one way or another for that. I've looked at current prices for the late 80's-93 mustangs and they are few and far between in donor shape. Most I've found are nicely refurbished and $15-25K.
I know what paint scheme I'd go for, dark metallic charcoal with orange stripes (would match my Matco box). My brother actually sent me a message on instagram of a MkII or MkIII build in a similar color scheme.
Other than that, I'm not sure what else I'd do. I prefer the idea of the coupe for weekend or holiday trips to visit my family in Charlotte once complete and legal (we'd be living near the in-laws).
1. Has a roof. I know you can get the rag top for the MKIV but I've done the wind in my hair thing between a Jeep and 6 motorcycles.
2. The ability to put a couple weekend bags behind the seat under the glass. I've seen some pictures and videos of the MKIV and the trunk just doesn't seem to have the space for much more than a pizza that would all be on one side of the box.
Unlike most of the builds I've looked at (read through almost all of Paul's coupe build last night), I'm thinking of going with a carbureted 347 instead of doing fuel injection. The fewer gizmos and computer stuff the better (see less than stellar experience with my current motorcycle above). I'd do LED's like Paul did and there was someone on youtube who put an airflow kit into the dash on a MKIII or MKIV. Probably do that as opposed to A/C-heat. I live in the south and plan to until I die. Hot is hot.
I think that's about as far as I've gotten. So I figured I'd introduce myself and my plan. Looking for any and all feedback and advice on what I should do and what I should avoid. Ideas, input, whatever.
I've had a brief flirting with motorcycles over the last 2 1/2 years. I've had six bikes, one Kawasaki, one BMW, two Harleys, and two Indians. I have one Indian, for now, but it has been problematic since day one of ownership, so I'm trying to part with it. I'm over my phase with motorcycles and want to get my hands dirty with something on 4 wheels.
That being said, I've been eyeing the Type 65 Coupe, while the wife prefers the look of the Roadster. I admit the MkIV has an unmistakable style, a fair bit more options for donor/aftermarket OEM parts, and is usually a little cheaper and easier to build. So we could say I'm in the pre-pre-planning stages, assuming within the next 5 years I can get started on this and it's still able to be registered. We're relocating from Louisiana to Georgia, so I've looked through a few threads on what to prepare myself for with that. Thankfully none of the counties around Atlanta.
I did aircraft structural maintenance while in the military, so the panels and fiberglass or thoughts of doing SS tubing doesn't bother me. Just an average day. I'd be fine with doing paint as well. All part of the job, granted never anything as finely polished as what I've seen on here.
Hopefully it's ok I do this here since I don't have a car specifically in mind yet, though I'm leaning more towards the coupe.
Where I'm at so far:
Budget minded but fun and good looking. I've seen some absolutely museum quality builds on here. I'm going for looks good but I won't get upset if it gets a scratch or rock chip in the paint.
Type 65 Coupe or MkIV
Probably do a blueprint 347-TKX-5 for engine and trans. Power steering would be a must. I've never had anything with manual brakes outside of a HD Sportster, so I'd be fine with them on the car I think. Probably 3-link rear, would only do the IRS if I planned to do track stuff. Just want something to cruise and enjoy the visceral feeling of man and car. I'm mostly looking forward to the actual building of it to get a finished product.
I've toyed with the idea of the base kit and then getting new oem parts (or aftermarket equivalent) instead of the donor and taring apart to rebuild things or doing the complete kit. Price gets up there either way. I don't think I want to go with old parts, I want to have everything clean and new without the hassle of having 2 cars in various states of assembly/disassembly. Hopefully someone can chime in on the wisdom of one way or another for that. I've looked at current prices for the late 80's-93 mustangs and they are few and far between in donor shape. Most I've found are nicely refurbished and $15-25K.
I know what paint scheme I'd go for, dark metallic charcoal with orange stripes (would match my Matco box). My brother actually sent me a message on instagram of a MkII or MkIII build in a similar color scheme.
Other than that, I'm not sure what else I'd do. I prefer the idea of the coupe for weekend or holiday trips to visit my family in Charlotte once complete and legal (we'd be living near the in-laws).
1. Has a roof. I know you can get the rag top for the MKIV but I've done the wind in my hair thing between a Jeep and 6 motorcycles.
2. The ability to put a couple weekend bags behind the seat under the glass. I've seen some pictures and videos of the MKIV and the trunk just doesn't seem to have the space for much more than a pizza that would all be on one side of the box.
Unlike most of the builds I've looked at (read through almost all of Paul's coupe build last night), I'm thinking of going with a carbureted 347 instead of doing fuel injection. The fewer gizmos and computer stuff the better (see less than stellar experience with my current motorcycle above). I'd do LED's like Paul did and there was someone on youtube who put an airflow kit into the dash on a MKIII or MKIV. Probably do that as opposed to A/C-heat. I live in the south and plan to until I die. Hot is hot.
I think that's about as far as I've gotten. So I figured I'd introduce myself and my plan. Looking for any and all feedback and advice on what I should do and what I should avoid. Ideas, input, whatever.