Hey guys, just got off the phone with my father-in-law. He's been looking to get a classic car to tinker on. He's not a mechanic, but he is good with his hands and enjoys doing things himself. Tomorrow he wants me to go with him to check a mustang he's looking to buy.

On the surface sounds like a good deal, he's seen it already, local mustang restoration place is selling it for a client. my this is what Greg, my father-in-law told me.

Car runs, has the 289 with auto, transmission has been rebuilt. instrument panel is taken out but is with car, idiot kid who owns it tried paint stripper, so paint is all orange peeled (no big deal). trunk filler panel and rear valance need replacing. Needs carb rebuilt. wrong hubcaps but newer tires. interior in good shape. needs brakes. $2k.

My questions are this:

1. with this info, does it sound like a good deal?
2. he's willing to put another 5k into it, if it needs, to get it all ready as a driver, with paint. Even if it needed an engine rebuild, is that enough?
3. with or without needing a rebuild, what would it take to get that engine putting out horsepower on par with the k-codes? cam, heads,intake carb? I know what's available now is much better than in 65', is a whole rebuild needed?

My first car was a 65 fastback 289. I would have loved some extra power. (hell, a lot extra, but for the father-in-law the 270-290 range would be great).

Thanks for the input guys.

Red