When you intend to buy a used Mustang, its important to know what to look for and what to look out for. In the beginning, the Mustang was offered by Ford with an assortment of choices. A selective customer could equip his automobile as anything from a fashionable, well assembled car to an agile, high-octane race driver. Nowadays the customer has a selection of everything from an antique Mustang coupe that can act as a second car to a rare, and collectable ‘68 Cobra Jet. Which Mustang you choose will depend upon your budget and intended use.

The early Mustangs are a good choice for a first collector car. The cars are comfortable to drive and also to upkeep. A 40 year old car will always have need for maintenance and occasional repairs. Ford employed the same engine (block) as well as other components from the car for a long time in many different models.

When considering a purchase the buyer should be aware of the following:

1. Mechanical Condition: are all major components i.e. transmission, drivetrain, engine,brakes etc serviceable? A Mustang with components needing work should not automatically be dismissed, but repair cost should be considered with regard to the agreed asking price.

2. Originality: has the vehicle been unprofessionally modified in such a manner that adversely effects performance or handling? Does the interior trim and exterior color match 1960’s factory combinations?

3. Bodywork and Rust: has the car been in a major accident to an extent where main body components for example undercarriage and torque boxes have been repaired incorrectly? What is the quality of the fenders, door panels, quarter panels etc. ? Is there considerable rust on the car obscured by paint?

Even though these cars are up to 40 years old and some amount of body repair or rust can be expected, keep away from Mustangs that have had extensive, poorly made repairs. Bear all this in mind when searching for and purchasing your “pony car” online.