My old Fairlane: to restore, or just fix?

[VenomMacbeth]

Ophelia is currently sitting out in the yard, darkening the lawn within her auto cocoon.  It breaks my heart that I not only killed that car, but that I let her sit for so long.

With that said, I was planning on throwing a little money into fixing her up a bit with my tax return. Now obviously I don't have the funds to get it all done at once, as there's a fair bit that needs to be done...namely:

1. I want to replace the engine & transmission.  The engine she's got now might be beyond repair, as the camshaft is all chewed up, but I was planning on replacing that eventually anyway.  Same with the crappp 2-speed auto trans.

2.  Body work.  There are no real bad spots, IE rust holes, but there are spots here & there and she will need a new paint job.

3.  Suspension. This is the area I'm most concerned with.  All those rubber grommets & bushings are falling apart...I mean they're what, close to 60 years old?  That's gonna be a lot of dough.


There are a few various other things she needs, like weatherstripping & probably a new carpet & headliner, Etc.  I'm anticipating that if I play my cards right, I can at least get her back into daily-driving condition, as she was when I purchased her, for probably close to $1000-$1500, but I would eventually like to go through the car completely.  Having said that, it's not good for her to just sit around until then.

So what course of action would you take?  And don't say "sell it" because I'd probably only get a couple grand for her anyway...and...that's my first car.  I'd never forgive myself for getting rid of her.

[Necromancer]

I vote ya fix it enough to safely drive, but don't go nuts trying to do some frame off restoration (aka money sinkhole). 

[Desh]

What year is it?  I suggest going with slightly more modern drivetrain.  A Windsor based small block and C4 could be put together relatively cheaply.  I then would address whatever unsafe suspension issues lay underneath.  That way you can make it a reliable driver and maybe just "touch up" the visual stuff until you can fully do body work, paint etc.

[VenomMacbeth]

What year is it?  I suggest going with slightly more modern drivetrain.  A Windsor based small block and C4 could be put together relatively cheaply.  I then would address whatever unsafe suspension issues lay underneath.  That way you can make it a reliable driver and maybe just "touch up" the visual stuff until you can fully do body work, paint etc.

It's like you read my mind.  I was thinking of trying to find a 289/302/351 small block & putting a C4 behind it. 

Aside from the lack of airbags & modern safety considerations (although I did have seatbelts put in) it is a pretty practical car & would do nicely in the event one of our cars broke down, so long as I don't take it on the interstate.  Although I do probably want to upgrade to disc brakes one day, as the old drums are probably worn.

Oh, and it's a 1963 4-door 500.

[cjameslv]

I would recommend rebuilding/replacing the engine & trans. Check your electrical, and check or change brakes, gas cap, etc. Once that is done the rest you can work on as money permits. I have restored quite a few cars and that is the best route. Don't get a paint job and rims first and you will be fine. I been restoring a '72 plymouth gran fury and it gets plenty of compliments even though the paint/interior is still stock and worn down. 

[mitsuman]

Since you need to redo the whole suspension, why not go with bags/air ride? I'm not saying you need to pancake it and scrape as you drive around.
But that would give you more adjustability for a daily driver. Plus you can clean out all of the old and start over with completely new pieces.

[Necromancer]

I'm betting an air suspension would cost one heck of a lot more than all new stock bits (or improved stock-ish bits).

[mitsuman]

I'm betting an air suspension would cost one heck of a lot more than all new stock bits (or improved stock-ish bits).

I was thinking that too after I put it. But I don't know pricing on classic cars. Not sure if the market would push the price up on suspension parts since they are a classic car. They may be able to ask a higher price for replacement parts due to the cars not being in production any longer.

[VenomMacbeth]

It's got air suspension in the back, but the front is stock & I'm willing to bet that's why the car leans to one side & creaks loudly when you go over bumps...from what I remember.  The thing hasn't been driven for the better part of 3 years.  Thankfully, I live 10 minutes away from Dennis Carpenter, a ford repro parts company.  They ought to have all the bushings  I need, though things like coilsprings I might be sunk for...

[mitsuman]

It's got air suspension in the back, but the front is stock & I'm willing to bet that's why the car leans to one side & creaks loudly when you go over bumps...from what I remember.  The thing hasn't been driven for the better part of 3 years.  Thankfully, I live 10 minutes away from Dennis Carpenter, a ford repro parts company.  They ought to have all the bushings  I need, though things like coilsprings I might be sunk for...

No crossover parts from another model?

[Desh]

Meh... I personally am not a bag person because I like to keep stuff simple.  Less complication=better reliability. 

I would consider putting leafs back on.  You can get different front coils and rear leafs to lower the car ($500 for all)  Then probably another $300-$400 in bushings, misc steering parts etc. 

Unless the drums are toasted I'd redo the brakes all around including wheel cylinders and just turn the drums (should be around $250 in parts).

Depending on what you do with the drivetrain you could check Craigslist, local racing forums etc.  For a deal on recently refreshed or low mileage stuff.  Also, check out your local junkyards for 80's and 90's Mustangs, trucks, vans that may have low mileage drivetrains.  Unless you buy something refreshed you might as well re-seal the engine and trans while it's out.  You could do that for less than $700 if you find the right deal(s).