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What shop converts '65 & '66 notchbacks into fastbacks?

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by bitzman, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. Oct 25, 2012 #1
    bitzman

    bitzman Well-Known Member

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    Right in my neighborhood there are two Mustang hardtops sitting in driveways not being used, I think at least one has
    a 289. But I don't want a hardtop. I want a 2 plus 2 fastback. I think a few yars ago I saw in Hot Rod a mention of a shop in the South
    that converted a hardtop to a fastback but it was expensive because you had to change not only the roof but the rear fenders, trunk, etc. Has this shop or anyone else gone into specializing in this? What would the conversion cost be? I'm betting it's $3,500 to $7,500, just ballpark figure, (you have to source the rear window as well)
    I think the original 2 plus 2 fastbacks are just too valuable as potential Shelby clones to even consider buying so conversion of these rust free cars might be the only route for me.
    Thanks for any tips.
     
    bitzman, Oct 25, 2012
    bitzman, Oct 25, 2012
    #1
  2. Nov 8, 2012 #2
    TransamEd

    TransamEd Well-Known Member

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    I think that is/was Autokraft in Nebraska.
    autokrafttacked.jpg
     
    TransamEd, Nov 8, 2012
    TransamEd, Nov 8, 2012
    #2
  3. Nov 9, 2012 #3
    Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    It is a losing proposition to have one converted from initial expense to value after it is done. That is why so few people are doing them. I think after it is all said and done the expense is comparable to a genuine fastback but you still have a coupe paperwork wise. It will always follow you and you can't hardly give them away from the few I have seen go through auctions.
     
    Bob Gaines, Nov 9, 2012
    Bob Gaines, Nov 9, 2012
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    rshelby likes this.
  4. Nov 10, 2012 #4
    TransamEd

    TransamEd Well-Known Member

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    Found my "old" story of 2008 on them and about Doug Kilian. (www.autokraftnebraska.com)
    My understanding was - since they were Mustangers overall - that they from their view prefer to piece together otherwise not salvagable part cars, aside from customer ordered restomods or custom cars maybe. At least they do not like to destroy otherwise usable Mustangs.

    http://www.ponysite.de/autokraftnebraska.htm
     
    TransamEd, Nov 10, 2012
    TransamEd, Nov 10, 2012
    #4
  5. Nov 10, 2012 #5
    mrmustang

    mrmustang Well-Known Member

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    If you are truly serious about owning one, I have a friend who has one about 80% done (needs exterior shot and interior installed), already jambed, 347 stroker with TKO500 or TKO 600 5spd he is thinking of selling.
     
    mrmustang, Nov 10, 2012
    mrmustang, Nov 10, 2012
    #5
  6. Nov 10, 2012 #6
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    you would be better off selling the coupes and buying a legitimate fastback.


    Z.
     
    zrayr, Nov 10, 2012
    zrayr, Nov 10, 2012
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  7. Nov 11, 2012 #7
    66GT350PS

    66GT350PS Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely. As Bitzman said, the conversion cost exceeeds the value of restoring an orginal fastback. The VIN tells all. Many who done the mod change to from a V6 to a V8, with all the necessary brakes, wheels, suspension, etc. changes have also learned that bitter lesson at a later time. Hardtops can be made into some great performance mods if that is your desire.

    :cool:
     
    66GT350PS, Nov 11, 2012
    66GT350PS, Nov 11, 2012
    #7
  8. Nov 13, 2012 #8
    bitzman

    bitzman Well-Known Member

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    Not ready to buy it, but let me change the question, what if it's 99% Shelby GT350

    Several of the notchbacks I see at events already have
    scooped hood
    R model bumpers
    '66 rear 3/4 windows
    proper stripes
    K-code engine

    Now I doubt if they had the change to the pivot arms
    R-model dash
    plexiglass side windows
    racing buckets
    racing roll car
    racing seat belts
    racing gas tank
    racing mags

    but if all that was done, wouldn't you be much closer to a GT350 clone, and
    if somebody else already did all that to a notchback, all you have to is the roof modification ? Still cheaper than buying all that stuff yourself.
    Sometimes I like the workmanship on the modded notchbacks but wish they had started with a fastback in the first place.

    (By the way the Fabulous Fords Forever event in Buena Park each year is a good place to see them)
    One of the best I saw was a street model '65 GT350 done by a BMW engineer which i thought was funny, here he is working on cars three years ahead in the future with all these electronics yet his personal car was a GT350 clone
     
    bitzman, Nov 13, 2012
    bitzman, Nov 13, 2012
    #8

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