kirk.harding

I'm thinking of selling my 2005 ctsv and getting in to a classic, 2 cars that stand out are 4sp nova's and 4sp 60's mustangs.
The mustang is a better looking car no doubt but The Nova is slightly ahead because of the bigger motor I do like my cars fast and giving up my 400hp 6sp ctsv is going to be hard.
So my question for you is why should I opt for a 289 mustang over a 350 Nova what can be done to make decent power? Build the 289 or swap in a 351w/c or 429, are they an easy swap?
I have owned a fox body and loved it even tho it was a bit slow I still loved the character and sound.
Thanks for your time.

FRed-Cobra

Hi Kirk, I agree with you old muscle car are good looking but at a price you gonna pay on the ride quality.

My friend have a 67 mustang all original, 289, drums brakes sloppy steering and toxic gas vapor in the car. It's ok to ride on short distance but don't think to make a long road trip and it will be an easy drive. It's a not so fun experience.
You have to fight to keep that thing in a straight line. any puddle, crack in the asphalt quick the car right and left, you have to stay alert big time...

With that says, I will never replaced my Cobra for an old muscle car.

Apocalypse Pony

What he said....... I don't if its age or what, these days I'm all for reliability, better performance and safety.

YZFrules

Hey Kirk. Buying a classic muscle car is great decision. There is no limit to what you can do with it. Upgrading HP, brakes and suspension will make it drive like a modern car. Plus it's a good investment. Classic muscle cars increase in value where as modern cars lose value. Pretty much every part of a Mustang is available. As the happy owner of two classics I say go for it.

roddy

I'm kind of with the others...The classics are nice to look at, but can be brutal to drive on a regular basis. You'll miss the handling and brakes on the CTS-V for sure. I'm 6'2", and find the early Mustangs pretty cramped inside. The 64 1/2 - 66 cars are pretty tight under the hood (even fitting a 351W can have some challenges) Starting in '67, engine bays were more accommodating.
As for the Nova, what generation are you considering...the '63-'67 Chevy II "Nova", or the '68-'72 Novas? The early ones were very similar to the early Mustangs in size and engine bay design. The later Novas were available with 396 big blocks. I really like the look of the early ('64 1/2-'66) Mustangs, but a big block 4-speed '68-'72 Nova would be a pretty sweet weekend cruiser, and have more "elbow room" inside, if you're a bigger person.

barrylink

i own a classic and I have driven my sons new shelby cobra jet , still love my classic! with the proper care and maintenance a classic is awesome!! the simple fact that you can work on it ,no computers is in my opinion great! One point to remember though with a classic the work on your car never stops LOL you will always want to do something more..

BTD

The ride experience is exactly why you buy a classic car. It simply feels like driving. You are in control of your car, you decide how fast it goes.

I have a daily driver car for when I have to go get groceries or whatever, and I don't really drive it. I just kinda ride in it till the destination, then come back.

When I drive my 83 GT Vert however, it's an actual experience. I can hear the roar of the engine responding to my input, I control what gear I am in and when, I decide how hard I want to take that corner, and the car and I are in sync, working as a team to conquer the road.

Yes newer cars already beat the road and everything it can throw at you, but I don't want the victory, I want the f'ing battle.

kechke

Back in 05 I got my wife a new Mustang convertible, we also have a 68 Convertible.
Last year we sold the 05 with less than 25,000k on it because we both preferred to go cruising with the 68.
Old Mustangs can be safe and comfortable to drive if they are upgraded more modern standards. That does not come cheap, don't ask how I know.

Gravydog316

A 68 coupe is more solid than a convertible, too, remember.

kechke

But nowhere near as much fun!