OT: Mustang GT Restoration

[Gemini6]

just had my 1986 Mustang GT Convertible delivered to my home today.

While it looks pretty good overall for a 30 year old car with all original parts, it needs some issues fixed and a good restore in some areas.

Probably putting in new interior, replacing top, all weather stripping etc., new paint job and possible engine upgrades.

Any classic Mustang enthusiasts on board who can recommend a good restoration shop here in Omaha that has expertise on Mustangs, especially Fox Body Models?

thanks

 

[brnred1989]

http://www.tandmautomotive-omaha.com

http://www.omahamustangs.org

 

[Gemini6]

http://www.tandmautomotive-omaha.com

http://www.omahamustangs.org

Thanks brnred1989. I actually contacted them today and the guy told me my car was too new. LOL He said they specialize in 60's and 70's cars.

Never thought a 30 year old car would be considered too new.

 

[Mtnhusker]

just had my 1986 Mustang GT Convertible delivered to my home today.

While it looks pretty good overall for a 30 year old car with all original parts, it needs some issues fixed and a good restore in some areas.

Probably putting in new interior, replacing top, all weather stripping etc., new paint job and possible engine upgrades.

Any classic Mustang enthusiasts on board who can recommend a good restoration shop here in Omaha that has expertise on Mustangs, especially Fox Body Models?

thanks

Bring it to Peterson Body and Paint in West Point. Believe it or not people from all over the country send their high end cars there to get them fixe up. A group of investors in Las Vegas buy Shelby Cobras and send then to Peterson to get them redone. Place is top notch and the prices are very competitive. I know numerous people who have seen his shop and can't believe the classic cars that are in there getting worked on. They were the ones who started the Car Show in West Point that has grown to one of the biggest in the Midwest. Check out the website, some badass stuff on there. The 67 Firebird in the pictures was done by them for my uncle. AMAZING job and the car won awards at car shows. It had been sitting in a farmers field for years and he bought it and they totally redid it. That car rocked!!! http://www.petersonbody.com

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I have never used a one stop shop because I have the impression (which might not be true) that they are quite a bit more expensive than taking the car to specialists. So for instance, on the car show about the Grease Monkey Garage, those guys take their cars to Sue to get the upholstery done. I could just as well take my car to Sue and save the markup of them taking it over there for me. Also, and this is especially important with convertible tops, an all-in-one resto shop may have a good painter, good engine guys, good upholsterer, etc., but going to the best painter, best engine guy, etc. probably means going different places. I had an upholstery shop do a top on a Buick and was never happy. They have to be done just right so they don't rattle, leak wind, and are padded properly so wind noise is mitigated. Here in SoCal I am fortunate to have a shop that does nothing but tops, but there may not be a specialist like that in Omaha. A lot of money on a restoration can be saved by doing stuff yourself that requires minimal skill. Weather stripping is pretty easy (usually) and you could do that in an afternoon and save a lot. You can buy that from a place like Steele Rubber products as a kit. You will be shocked at how much that stuff costs. The place mtnhusker recommended looks like a really nice resto shop, but you have to ask yourself how much a restoration is worth to you and what kind of a car it is. If I found a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible in rough shape I would pay someone $100,000 to restore it because it would then be worth $150,000. But the Oldsmobile in my sigpic I have been restoring will never be worth more than $20-25K, so I really have to watch my budget and will in fact never make anywhere near what I put into it when I sell it someday (sentimental value took over). There were 9887 GT convertibles built in 1986 and NADA high retail (car in excellent condition) for a 302 w/AC is $8905. Something to think about, but I know you can't put a dollar value on sentimental value.

 

[BigRedBugeaters]

Like previous poster said try to do some of the work yourself. If you have the garage space and tools to do so. Much of it is fairly easy. Mustang parts are all over the Internet and reasonably priced. When you need a specialist do some research and find one. I have restored 3 67 Mustangs. Still have all 3. Did my first one with my dad when I was 14. Will be my sons in 2 years

Fox body Mustangs are not worth much and probably never will be. Coupes are in more demand as many bracket racers love them. Good luck with your restoration

 

[Gemini6]

Thank you everyone for your great advice. I realize my 86 isn't worth what a 69 would be at this point. However, they will appreciate with more time. I have actually seen 85 and 86 GT Convertibles that were all original and near mint condition selling for $14,000. Yes, I know the NADA values etc. Checked that out many times prior to purchasing my car.

What I looked for in my car was a sound body, little if no rust, low mileage and one that was taken care of overall. I found one. It's not perfect but it has "the bones" to be a great car.

I will check out everyone's recommendations and see what is the best fit. In my own research, I have come to realize that going to a "one stop" shop may not be the best idea.

I did speak in length with Tim, the owner of T&M Automotive. He gave me some outstanding advice and recommendations as well.

I will do a thorough review of all recommendations and go from there.

Thank you again for taking the time to provide such thorough info and sound advice. I appreciate it. When the car is finished, I will post a pic.

 

[mel mains]

Give Auto Kraft in Lincoln consideration. Doug there is the best in the State, in my opinion, including very reasonably-priced work on my '54 Chevy.

 

[Gemini6]

Give Auto Kraft in Lincoln consideration. Doug there is the best in the State, in my opinion, including very reasonably-priced work on my '54 Chevy.

OK, I sure will. I'm open to anyone who is fair and does exceptional work. I've already called a few places that I took off my list who had no experience with Mustangs.
I have contacted several of the recommendations on this site thus far. I'm going to take my time and be thorough. I'm in no rush. It's more about quality than rushing through to get it on the road.

thanks for the referral mel!

 

[Husker.Wed.]

just had my 1986 Mustang GT Convertible delivered to my home today.

While it looks pretty good overall for a 30 year old car with all original parts, it needs some issues fixed and a good restore in some areas.

Probably putting in new interior, replacing top, all weather stripping etc., new paint job and possible engine upgrades.

Any classic Mustang enthusiasts on board who can recommend a good restoration shop here in Omaha that has expertise on Mustangs, especially Fox Body Models?

thanks

BTW, after I got my first good job and paid some debts I bought my first new car, which was a 1984 Mustang LX convertible with a 6-banger/automatic in it. It was charcoal gray with maroon interior - very pretty. I ordered it exactly how I wanted it and it took 3 months to arrive. I thought it would be a chick magnet. In the three months before it arrived I met Mrs. Husker.Wed, so the chick magnet part no longer applied, but we still had a lot of fun in the car. I sold it in 1993 when it had 71K on it. I sort of wish I had kept it.

 

[Gemini6]

BTW, after I got my first good job and paid some debts I bought my first new car, which was a 1984 Mustang LX convertible with a 6-banger/automatic in it. It was charcoal gray with maroon interior - very pretty. I ordered it exactly how I wanted it and it took 3 months to arrive. I thought it would be a chick magnet. In the three months before it arrived I met Mrs. Husker.Wed, so the chick magnet part no longer applied, but we still had a lot of fun in the car. I sold it in 1993 when it had 71K on it. I sort of wish I had kept it.

Well I'm happily married and the car has zero effect on my husband. LOL It's more about wanting a similar car I had years ago, but this time around, a convertible.

I did get a lot of "head turns" back in the day when I drove my 86 Black Mustang GT Hatchback.

I just replaced the tires. Found out they were from 1992 and the wrong size. Hard to believe the previous owner would drive the car with such outdated tires. I'm also thinking of having the car repainted the "ruby red" color that's currently on Mustang's. The car has the original "Bright Red" paint, but looks horribly faded and not taken care of of. I have all the detailing items, clay bar, polish, sealant and wax to bring it back to life, but I hate the color. It's no longer bright but very dull. Ruby red would be sweet with the grey interior.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

Well I'm happily married and the car has zero effect on my husband. LOL It's more about wanting a similar car I had years ago, but this time around, a convertible.

I did get a lot of "head turns" back in the day when I drove my 86 Black Mustang GT Hatchback.

I just replaced the tires. Found out they were from 1992 and the wrong size. Hard to believe the previous owner would drive the car with such outdated tires. I'm also thinking of having the car repainted the "ruby red" color that's currently on Mustang's. The car has the original "Bright Red" paint, but looks horribly faded and not taken care of of. I have all the detailing items, clay bar, polish, sealant and wax to bring it back to life, but I hate the color. It's no longer bright but very dull. Ruby red would be sweet with the grey interior.

I've heard it said the number one reason people wreck classic cars is 15-year old tires blow out the sidewall, which is a bad flat to have. I had a 63 Caddie tire go flat, luckily in my garage. The tires had about 1000 miles on them, but were around 12 years old. The rubber just breaks down. Good thing you replaced the tires first thing!

 

[bigboxes]

Don't let anyone put down your dream. My first car I had in high school was a '79 Mustang w/V6. Loved that car. First thing I did was replace the tires and wheels. Next was the stereo, the most important thing to a teenager. The only truly bad Mustang was the Mustang II. I'm sure that someone has found memories of them as well.

 

[Gemini6]

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Don't let anyone put down your dream. My first car I had in high school was a '79 Mustang w/V6. Loved that car. First thing I did was replace the tires and wheels. Next was the stereo, the most important thing to a teenager. The only truly bad Mustang was the Mustang II. I'm sure that someone has found memories of them as well.

LOL about the Mustang II. My brother had a 1977 Spring Green Mustang II with white vinyl/green plaid interior, moon roof (which came in handy every time I locked myself out of the damn car when he handed it down to me) and white vinyl top. It had an 8 track player and he added a CB. It was a 4 banger and you could only pass when going down hill with a huge gust of wind behind you. Man that thing was really sweet looking but I think 10 gerbils on steroids had more torque. Looked just like this one but with a white vinyl top.




Oh and thank you very much for your vote of confidence big boxes. I appreciate it.

 

[Gemini6]

I've heard it said the number one reason people wreck classic cars is 15-year old tires blow out the sidewall, which is a bad flat to have. I had a 63 Caddie tire go flat, luckily in my garage. The tires had about 1000 miles on them, but were around 12 years old. The rubber just breaks down. Good thing you replaced the tires first thing!

My husband had a PT stint as Assist. Manager at a local Firestone years ago and he's always on me about my car's tires. When he saw the tires on the Mustang, he knew they were old. The tread was still fairly good, but he said he hadn't seen this brand in years. Took the car to Discount Tire and got a set of BF Goodrich tires that look awesome!

It's sad people don't consider how paramount a good set of tires really are. People will speed a fortune on cosmetic stuff but fail to take care of what is underneath them and so vital in regards to the ride, the gas mileage and overall safely of the car.

 

[TheBeav815]

If you're gonna get a repaint, just bear in mind that red cars get popped for speeding more often...

 

[Gemini6]

If you're gonna get a repaint, just bear in mind that red cars get popped for speeding more often...

I know. used to have a 2005 Red Mustang GT.

actually, i want to get it painted black like my 86 Mustang GT hatchback that I owned back in the day. There is just something about black on this model, especially on a convertible. I've been given a number of recommendations for guys who do outstanding paint work, but it seems like trying to contact the Pope; no one wants to take my call.

Someone recommended Peterson's Paint and Auto shop in WestPoint. Although they are probably the most expensive, the owner, Doug, is the only one who actually took time to speak with me in detail and invited me to bring my car up for him to check out and give me recommendations. So I'm heading up there this week.

This car has so many little issues (headlight lamp pull out level broken, fog lights don't work, mirror loose, console loose, right door doesn't stay open and new dash pad needs to be installed. I'm finding it's really hard to find someone who will do the interior and the mechanical work.

 

[Mtnhusker]

I know. used to have a 2005 Red Mustang GT.

actually, i want to get it painted black like my 86 Mustang GT hatchback that I owned back in the day. There is just something about black on this model, especially on a convertible. I've been given a number of recommendations for guys who do outstanding paint work, but it seems like trying to contact the Pope; no one wants to take my call.

Someone recommended Peterson's Paint and Auto shop in WestPoint. Although they are probably the most expensive, the owner, Doug, is the only one who actually took time to speak with me in detail and invited me to bring my car up for him to check out and give me recommendations. So I'm heading up there this week.

This car has so many little issues (headlight lamp pull out level broken, fog lights don't work, mirror loose, console loose, right door doesn't stay open and new dash pad needs to be installed. I'm finding it's really hard to find someone who will do the interior and the mechanical work.

I can tell you firsthand that Doug is a straight-shooter. Easy going guy who will take great care of you. His employees have been there for years plus they seem to like their jobs and their work is top notch. Tell him Les's grandson Pat sent you, he will know who I am. The job he did on my uncle's 67 Firebird was amazing. Doug had a Shelby Cobra in his shop that he was working on that Carrol Shelby had signed/autographed on the Dashboard. Car had to have been worth over $250,000. A group of investors from Vegas buy Shelby Cobra's and ship them to him to restore. He works on everything from High-End Custom cars to regular everyday cars.

 

[Gemini6]

I can tell you firsthand that Doug is a straight-shooter. Easy going guy who will take great care of you. His employees have been there for years plus they seem to like their jobs and their work is top notch. Tell him Les's grandson Pat sent you, he will know who I am. The job he did on my uncle's 67 Firebird was amazing. Doug had a Shelby Cobra in his shop that he was working on that John Shelby had signed/autographed on the Dashboard. Car had to have been worth over $250,000. A group of investors from Vegas buy Shelby Cobra's and ship them to him to restore. He works on everything from High-End Custom cars to regular everyday cars.

I'll be sure to tell him "Hi" from you. He told me he wanted to give me a tour and said I would enjoy seeing all the cars they are working on. He also went through each item on my to do list..by the time he added everything up, think I'd have to sell my house to pay for it. LOL I'm looking forward to seeing his shop, the cars he's working on and discuss his vision for my car.

 

[BigRedBugeaters]

John Shelby? You mean Carroll

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

I'll be sure to tell him "Hi" from you. He told me he wanted to give me a tour and said I would enjoy seeing all the cars they are working on. He also went through each item on my to do list..by the time he added everything up, think I'd have to sell my house to pay for it. LOL I'm looking forward to seeing his shop, the cars he's working on and discuss his vision for my car.

That's the problem with "restoring" a car. 99% of the time, you end up with far more in it than it is worth, and far more than if you just bought one that was already finished that you could start enjoying right away. As a former b/shop owner, can't tell you how many times I looked at something and told them the cost to paint it alone (inc all necessary parts and supplies to get body ready to paint) is more than it's worth. Only thing that surprised me, was how often they were surprised when I said that.

 

[tarheelhusker]

Exactly right, Lite. A regular collision shop can't keep the doors open doing completes. Some customers still think a grand is big money. They remember the Earl Scheib, "I'll paint any car for $99.95".

Oh what fun days, standing on an empty 5 gal pail of thinner to stretch across a hood, roof and trunk on those completes on cars from the 70's...and holding a bottom feeding Binks # 7 !!

Good luck your way, Gemini, I hope your quest is fulfilled !

 

[Husker.Wed.]

That's the problem with "restoring" a car. 99% of the time, you end up with far more in it than it is worth, and far more than if you just bought one that was already finished that you could start enjoying right away. As a former b/shop owner, can't tell you how many times I looked at something and told them the cost to paint it alone (inc all necessary parts and supplies to get body ready to paint) is more than it's worth. Only thing that surprised me, was how often they were surprised when I said that.

Agreed. However, if you like working on them and feel accomplishment when they look better and better and run better and better, then you "enjoy" them from the time the rusty hulk hits your driveway.

 

[mel mains]

That's the problem with "restoring" a car. 99% of the time, you end up with far more in it than it is worth, and far more than if you just bought one that was already finished that you could start enjoying right away. As a former b/shop owner, can't tell you how many times I looked at something and told them the cost to paint it alone (inc all necessary parts and supplies to get body ready to paint) is more than it's worth. Only thing that surprised me, was how often they were surprised when I said that.

My '54 was purchased new by my grandparents, yet the cost to restore it was going to be $15k more than it would then be worth. I was in a real dilemna about what to do. Doug at Auto Kraft worked with me (and I live in Chicago) to get the thing back running and safe enough to drive to little league ballgames, the ice cream shop and occasionally to work in the Loop, with just enough body repair to get her looking good enough to turn heads. He kept the costs under control for me. Great guy.