Buying Classics Abroad

Ford Mustang Gen 3

CORROSION 1

A-pillars, suspension towers and the floorpans are the worst spots for rust. Higher powered examples can suffer from cracked or twisted subframes. Check panels gaps and boot floor for misalignment or welded crash repairs.

ENGINES 2

Various inline four, V6 and V8 engines were offered. The 2.3 Turbo is good for between 175bhp and 205bhp but is prone to turbo failure. The 5.0-litre V8’s longevity and parts availability is good – just check for oil leaks around the back of the engine.

BOXES 3

Manual gearboxes have non-synchro reverse, so a crunch is to be expected. Clutch cable failure is a common issue.

RUNNING 4

GEAR

The Mustang has a live rear axle, so you should check around the diff housing for oil leaks. Various handling and brake upgrade packages were fitted as standard, with four- wheel disc brakes on the flagship Mustang SVO. Perform the usual checks for straight-line braking, and inspect for leaks around any of the hydraulics.

TRIM AND 5

INTERIOR

Bringing an interior up to scratch is likely to involve sourcing items from breakers in the USA, but the overall cost shouldn’t be massive. Check for water ingress. It’s common for the interior electrical equipment and gauges to fail or give inaccurate readings.