Glad I am not doing a concours resto

Because if you do you need to win the lotto first.... https://www.ebay.com/sch/perkinsres...5802485236&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

While I respect Mr. Perkins for his knowledge and foresight to travel the country and cleanout any old NOS parts from dealerships back in the 70's and 80's he does look to recover his expenses plus for his effort. I do think if you are looking for that last OE/NOS part to top off your build you need to sometimes dig deep. I would also offer that if you do your research and spend your time either reconditioning original parts or scouring eBay, swap meets or other parts for sale resources you can get buy on a more conservative basis.

That is an impressive collection. I want to just walk thru the shop and look at everything, almost like a time capsule.

I'm sorry - sure there are real valuable items in that collection, but some of that is just price gouging.

It's not gouging if there are no other alternatives...

I get it - there is a Big Difference between getting a car to work and one that is built the way Ford intended it. I freely admit that I have never driven a 1971 Mustang the way Ford built it. My car was 10 years old when I bought it. The suspension bushings were on their way out, the engine was seized (a 360 straight 6), and the jack fell out of the trunk when we towed it home. I'm still trying to get it back to a condition that Ford would recognize before I go off and start making changes to "improve" it. Parts like these are gold mines to guys like me who want to experience the car as it was intended.

I understand where you're coming from, but you don't need to pay prices like that just to be period correct, either visually or as intended by Ford. Like I said, some items listed are probably well worth it- others are not, especially if you ever start and/or drive your car - like a $150 vacuum hose set from 1968. I wouldn't trust that on a high-dollar restoration.

Aside from the time capsule “barn finds”, there are really very few cars left that are worth doing a concours restoration on anyway. I’ve never understood the desire to have a show queen anyway. In truth, if you have any desire to actually drive the car you’re better off modifying anyway. I restored mine to look pretty much bone stock, but it has reasonable upgrades to engine, ignition, exhaust, steering, and suspension. Now I just need to put in a decent radio.

This is my extremely rare 1972 R code convertible, only 13 made and, as far as I know, mine is the only all matching number one left in existence. By all rights, it deserved a concourse resto, but even using reproduction parts the restoration cost me over $100,000. I can honestly say most of the reproduction parts out there now look as good as or better than 50 year old NOS parts. I don't regret using reproduction parts or adding a few things like the rear honeycomb panel or pop open gas cap on the car. I can drive it, and I can negotiate more on the sales price when the time comes.

Kevken1959,

Love that 72 R code convertible!
Interesting - I have recently removed the rear honeycomb panel and pop open gas cap that I had added to my 72 Q 4spd convertible. Mine is very similar to the one you bought from my friend here in Oklahoma. I am in the process of removing and replacing the cutout valence and exhaust tips I also added. I want it like it came when new or as close as I can get it. I had added the ram air stuff as well but it is now gone.

Ray

It's official.... I hate Kevin

KevinP said:

Aside from the time capsule “barn finds”, there are really very few cars left that are worth doing a concours restoration on anyway. I’ve never understood the desire to have a show queen anyway. In truth, if you have any desire to actually drive the car you’re better off modifying anyway. I restored mine to look pretty much bone stock, but it has reasonable upgrades to engine, ignition, exhaust, steering, and suspension. Now I just need to put in a decent radio.

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Lol. Then I shouldn’t tell you that my garage queen has never been licensed for the road since I finished this concourse restoration (Picture was taken Nov 16, 2015)… No understanding required. Too each their own…

kevken1959 said:

This is my extremely rare 1972 R code convertible, only 13 made and, as far as I know, mine is the only all matching number one left in existence. By all rights, it deserved a concourse resto, but even using reproduction parts the restoration cost me over $100,000. I can honestly say most of the reproduction parts out there now look as good as or better than 50 year old NOS parts. I don't regret using reproduction parts or adding a few things like the rear honeycomb panel or pop open gas cap on the car. I can drive it, and I can negotiate more on the sales price when the time comes.View attachment 69428View attachment 69429View attachment 69433

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Wow, that is one special car. Looks fantastic. Congratulations!

Boss1Ray said:

Kevken1959,

Love that 72 R code convertible!
Interesting - I have recently removed the rear honeycomb panel and pop open gas cap that I had added to my 72 Q 4spd convertible. Mine is very similar to the one you bought from my friend here in Oklahoma. I am in the process of removing and replacing the cutout valence and exhaust tips I also added. I want it like it came when new or as close as I can get it. I had added the ram air stuff as well but it is now gone.

Ray

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I get it Ray. IMO those mods are so easy to undo and look tasteful, but there’s something to be able to say the car was not modified in any way.

7173Vert said:

Lol. Then I shouldn’t tell you that my garage queen has never been licensed for the road since I finished this concourse restoration (Picture was taken Nov 16, 2015)… No understanding required. Too each their own…

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Pretty much the same situation with my R code convertible. It has sat in the Mustang museum in Odenville since it was finished. I’m so lucky that they are so close and can show my cars off to the public, otherwise the car would be sitting in the dark for no one to look at it. I said I “could “ drive it, but I don’t. The car is a real bear to drive. No A/C and 3.91 rear gears make for hell on the interstate on a hot day. Now that fall is here, I might just swap it out for another car and drive it some. Luckily I have others I can drive. My favorite is this one, my Grabber Blue Q code which has cold A/C. I swapped the factory 4 speed toploader (which I still have) for a T5 overdrive 5 speed to lower the revs on the 3.50 rear gears. It gets pretty good gas mileage too!

markafss said:

Wow, that is one special car. Looks fantastic. Congratulations!

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Thanks Mark!

PoFoMoCo said:

It's official.... I hate Kevin

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lol, your not the only one. I just bought this barn find car and the owner said someone from this site told him, “don’t sell the car to that prick Kennedy, he thinks he’s a guru and has to own every 71-73 Mustang on the planet!” The guy even offered more for the car, but luckily the seller stuck to his word and sold it to me anyway. This car is going to need a lot of work! Maybe I should sell it to the guy who called me a prick, lol.

I split the difference. It looks stock but goes like a bat out of hell. MCA concours gold at 2012 Grand Nationals. No more concours for me, I don't drive enough to warrant keeping it. It will be for sale in late winter or early spring. Chuck

kevken1959 said:

lol, your not the only one. I just bought this barn find car and the owner said someone from this site told him, “don’t sell the car to that prick Kennedy, he thinks he’s a guru and has to own every 71-73 Mustang on the planet!” The guy even offered more for the car, but luckily the seller stuck to his word and sold it to me anyway. This car is going to need a lot of work! Maybe I should sell it to the guy who called me a prick, lol.

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It's the price you pay to be a Rockstar brother!

c9zx said:

I split the difference. It looks stock but goes like a bat out of hell. MCA concours gold at 2012 Grand Nationals. No more concours for me, I don't drive enough to warrant keeping it. It will be for sale in late winter or early spring. Chuck

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I'll look forward to the fore sale posting. Thanks

kevken1959 said:

This is my extremely rare 1972 R code convertible, only 13 made and, as far as I know, mine is the only all matching number one left in existence. By all rights, it deserved a concourse resto, but even using reproduction parts the restoration cost me over $100,000. I can honestly say most of the reproduction parts out there now look as good as or better than 50 year old NOS parts. I don't regret using reproduction parts or adding a few things like the rear honeycomb panel or pop open gas cap on the car. I can drive it, and I can negotiate more on the sales price when the time comes.View attachment 69428View attachment 69429View attachment 69433

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That is a beautiful car Kevin. Most of us don't have the finances or resources that you have. You are very fortunate and blessed. I also own one of those 13 cars. And mine is also an all matching numbers car. It hasn't been driven since the 90's and has been garage kept so is in a much better "starting" condition that what you started with. I ordered it special from the factory and drove it like I stole it. Most of my activities were centered around autocrossing and street racing. (I much regret many of my deeds from those days.) I would go through a set of tires in 4 months. The only things I needed to change were;
adding headers
changing the carb ( went to a 1066 cfm Holley so no more stalling in the corners)
adding a second front sway bar. (This was an interesting challenge but worked)
I'm working now toward getting it to a restorer near you. I'm too old and worn out to do the restoration myself. It won't be "stock" but it will be what I have always wanted and would have gotten if it had been available when I ordered it. I respect other's opinions but when I am spending the money it will be what I want. Respectfully submitted.

kevken1959 said:

This is my extremely rare 1972 R code convertible, only 13 made and, as far as I know, mine is the only all matching number one left in existence. By all rights, it deserved a concourse resto, but even using reproduction parts the restoration cost me over $100,000. I can honestly say most of the reproduction parts out there now look as good as or better than 50 year old NOS parts. I don't regret using reproduction parts or adding a few things like the rear honeycomb panel or pop open gas cap on the car. I can drive it, and I can negotiate more on the sales price when the time comes.View attachment 69428View attachment 69429View attachment 69433

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Beautiful Car, what is the color code? Is that the car's original color? I have a one owner numbers matching 72 Coupe with the color code 3J Bright Blue Metallic. Do you own several Mustangs that are in the picture? I see you are from Birmingham, Alabama, I live in Opelika, Alabama. Such a beautiful car