Nobody has all
the knowledge needed. The three owners of Metro
Muscle Cars have, over the years, collectively owned hundreds of Mustangs
and worked on thousands. One might suppose that we're smart enough
to know just about everything there is to know about the vintage Mustangs.
Wish we could agree but the plain old truth is we're not that smart, only
smart enough to know when we need help!!
Why you ask? Well, what we DO know is: we're looking at vehicles
that are either 40 years old or quickly approaching that age. In
forty years each car has its own story to tell. It quite possibly
has had modifications or upgrades,. Unfortunately the car can't talk and
its particular history is what we DON'T know. So the first order
of the day is to try and understand exactly what we are looking at.
Why what you
don't know can hurt you. What was the car originally
ordered or optioned with and how closely does the current vehicle reflect
it's original roots? It's not necessarily bad that a vehicle may
have later received options, changes and upgrades. In fact they may
be very tasteful and desirable, but we would like to be aware when that
is the case. On the other hand if the car is presently optioned as a GT
but wasn't originally, that could perhaps impact its current value.
If it looks like a 70 Boss 302 but is actually a modified Sportsroof then
there absolutely is an impact on the vehicles’ current value.
It may still be the exact vehicle of your dreams but better you know the
truth, since it will affect what you should be paying for it. Incidentally
we don't mean to imply that in some cases the seller is necessarily trying
to mislead a buyer. The fact is the seller may not know since that's
how they purchased the vehicle. There are however others out there
that realize some changes to a vehicle, not necessarily fully disclosed,
can seriously impact the price at which the car will sell. Nothing
bothers us more than to have a proud client bring in their newly acquired
baby for us to go over, only to discover they paid top dollar based on
some incorrect assumptions.
How to gain that
knowledge. We recommend the prospective
buyer become as “expert” as possible on the car of their dreams, prior
to or while engaged in the search. Reading enthusiast magazines
such as Mustang Monthly and Mustang and Fords is a good way to stay up
to date with the overall hobby. Arming yourself with and using reference
materials is another. Neither of these steps guarantee you
will avoid making a mistake, but they sure help minimize the chances.
Conversely they might also help you in identifying a very special or rare
car that is a real sleeper. Doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
We personally own a lot of books, registries, magazines and publications
that constitute “ideal reference material”. All of them can help
in verifying all kinds of things Mustang specific, HOWEVER, whenever we
are purchasing a vintage Mustang there are three reference pieces that
we have come to depend on and always use during the first step of assessing
a vehicle for purchase. When we go look at a vehicle we are not embarrassed
to take all three with us and actively use them for verification purposes
during the visit.
Reference
Materials We Use at Metro
If you are considering the
purchase of a vintage Mustang you can help validate your decision
with these reference pieces. If you already have them you probably
agree. If you don't, you probably should consider them. Our personal
experience is that these particular pieces have more than paid for themselves
by helping us better understand the value and originality of a specific
vehicle.
We
recommend the following references:
The Mustang Recognition Guide 1965 - 1973
The Catalog of Mustang ID Numbers 1964 1/2
- 1993
The Official Mustang Price Guide 2002 - 2003
Edition
Scroll Down To learn more about each reference
book and to purchase separately
The Mustang Recognition Guide 1965 – 1973
by: Larry Dobbs, Donald Farr,
Jerry Heasley, Rick Kopec.
This is a year-by-year, model-by-model,
review of the Ford Mustang with excellent pictorial detail. We like
the book because it quickly helps a buyer understand not only the early
history of the Mustang but it's development year-by-year. Excellent
detail on options offered for each year with good photography backup.
This is an excellent piece for both the novice and experienced buyer.
It is the first reference piece we have new employees at Metro Muscle Cars
read. We also use it everyday to help ourselves and customers with
specific questions
The Catalog of Mustang ID Numbers 19641/2 – 1993
Compiled by the Staff of Cars
& Parts Magazine
This guide will help you
authenticate your potential purchase. In our opinion, authentication is
everything. To the highest degree possible you want to know exactly
what you're reading when you look at data plates, vin numbers and parts
tags. This guide is one of the best we've found for quick and easy
reference. It is laid out sensibly and covers an abundance of detail.
It also includes a full color section on exterior paint colors and interior
trim colors and fabrics. This is our de-coder of choice.
The Official Mustang Price Guide 2002-2003
Edition by Jerry Heasley
This pocket-sized guide is
crammed full of information that helps evaluate the general value of your
potential purchase. Equally as effective if you are selling a vehicle.
It differs from more general guides in being extremely vintage Mustang
specific. It makes allowance for all kinds of options as well as
body types. It gives you help in categorizing the condition of the
vehicle and then translating that to a value. This is good information
whether you're buying a donor, project, restored or original car.
One thing to remember with this guide is that it is based on previous actual
sales and therefore can be dated versus current conditions, dependent on
release date. Nevertheless we still think it is the most specific
reference available. We use it to create a realistic baseline and
then monitor Ebay auctions to keep a barometer on the most recent market
conditions for vehicles of a similar type.
Many of our used and NOS
Mustang parts are available in our eBay Store. Both Classic and Late
Model parts are being added daily. Check back often for new listings.
Metro Muscle Cars We carry Ford
and Reproduction parts for all years.
Info
/ Order 404-767-3378 - Fax 404-305-9437
When
you call, ask for Tim
We
ship UPS, Truck Freight and accept all major Credit Cards
