All Things Considered
We all have our dream projects but not all of us have a dream bank account. You're setting yourself up for failure if you live on franks-n-beans and you're looking for a '67 Fairlane to receive a supercharged modular, pie-plate disc brakes, 18-inch wheels, trick suspension, and a full custom interior--did I just describe my own dream project?
Take your time and shop around. While it's true that many of the classic Fords we want are escalating in price every day, and there are fewer examples out there to be found, you can still find a decent deal with patience and persistence. Know what you want, what your budget can handle, and work from there. Don't know a thing about paint and body? Then find a solid car that doesn't need any metal work, and then drop your drivetrain du jour into it.
You can always work up to your dream car. Maybe you want a '63 Galaxie with a Cammer and an old-school four-speed, but that Cammer engine is going to cost more than the car you currently drive to work every day. Find yourself a Mustang hardtop or a clean Falcon to start with instead. Get your feet wet, build a nice little restomod, and then use the profits from the sale of that car to fund your true dream project. You'll get project experience, time under the hood, and enjoy a fun driver. We've even heard of people taking an older project and trading it with some cash or other valuables for their dream project.
So what are you waiting for? Get started today, and don't forget to show us those great before and after pictures, and tell us all about your project. -Mark Houlahan
The Mustang is a good place to start, and this photo shows an early-production '641/2 convertible. This Wimbledon White ragtop is a good example of the very beginning with its 260 V-8 engine. The full wheel covers with faux knock-off spinners look sporty. | 
Second on our list of best Fords to modify is the Falcon/Ranchero platform. This '63 Ranchero is super-cool and so stock it's painful. This little truck is calling out to us for a 347 and a T5 trans. | 
In 1964 the Falcon went to this more squared-off design. This V-8-powered red convertible is an ideal candidate for modifications. The Mercury Comet also fits nicely into this category. |
Here's another example of a series prototype that's stock as a rock. This '62 Fairlane began the Total Performance years. The 221 engine was introduced alongside the new Fairlane and became known as the Fairlane V-8. From outrageous Thunderbolt replicas to sleeper-type musclecars, all of the Fairlanes make excellent Ford restomods. | 
In 1966 the Fairlane was completely redesigned, and the result was one of the prettiest cars to come out of the musclecar years. We love Coke-bottle Fairlanes with their beautiful lines and great engine selection. This black '67 Fairlane convertible GT has the 390 engine and is a fine example of the breed. It's almost too pretty to modify, but never say never! | 
Full-sized Fords like this '63 Galaxie hardtop are popular with the restomod crowd, and the full-sized cars are the fastest growing segment of our hobby. These cars have a separate chassis and the build quality is solid. The 427 FE engine in this car offers tons of go power. |