By Mark Logan, President, ClassicMustang.com of Oregon, LLC

Our pre-purchase inspections provide prospective buyers with a comprehensive look at the classic Mustang or Shelby they plan to purchase. There are three ways in which we work. The first is the least expensive, do-it-yourself (DIY) process.  With the DIY report, we send the report format to you along with suggestions on who to contact in your area. You are responsible for finding a competent classic Mustang technician and hiring them to perform the inspection based on our check list. The results of the inspection are left to your interpretation. The cost for the DIY report is $150, cash or personal check. (Sorry, but we do not accept Visa or MasterCard.) It is a copyrighted report and available for your use one-time-only. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, or sold. Once you receive the report form, you would be responsible for locating and interviewing a competent mechanic and negotiating with them to perform the inspection. The cost for the garage inspection typically runs from $150-$200. Your total cost should be between $300-$350.

With our complete service, we hire the mechanic, send the report to them, discuss it with them in advance, and review the report when completed with the mechanic that performed the inspection. Afterward, we send the report to you and discuss details with you by phone. Based on the results of the report, we issue a written appraisal of the car to you valid for insurance purposes. The cost for that service is $595, including the garage inspection fee.

Our locating, inspection, and appraisal service is designed for people that don't have the time or the expertise to locate, evaluate, and negotiate the purchase of a classic Mustang. Typically, these are professionals that always wanted one and now have the resources to make that happen. With this turn-key service, we search North America for investment quality Mustangs suited to your specifications using the internet, an extensive contact database of people we know in the classic Mustang and Shelby business, and our own internal database of thousands of cars. Our internal list is compiled from people we have done business with over the years, including car and parts customers, correspondence for technical support, and thousands of people that have signed our guest book. We find the car, make sure it is a quality vehicle, inspect and appraise it, negotiate with the seller, handle the logistics of payment and title transfer, and arrange transportation. It is a time consuming process, highly valued by our customers. We charge a fee of 10% of the selling price of the car and typically save our customers that much or more in the process. In addition, you get the assurance that you are buying a quality vehicle.

We evaluate each prospective purchase vehicle carefully and analyze a broad range of information and data.  Here is a partial list of more than 150 inspection points:

• VIN - Decoding Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and data plates to determine if numbers match, where the car was made, and what modifications have been made since manufacture.
• Original Equipment - We request a "History 999" report from Ford Motor Company which tells us  information about the original equipment on the vehicle (the next best thing to having the original window sticker, or a Marti report).
• Maintenance - We review all maintenance records, as far back as possible.  
• Structural Integrity - A thorough inspection of the body and frame is completed.
• Rust - Carpeting is removed from critical locations to inspect floor pans for rust.  Why do we do this?  It is common for a heater hose to break in 30 years of driving, and if the car was not properly repaired, including removal, cleaning, and drying of the carpeting, floor pans are very susceptible to rust over 30+ years.  F.Y.I., rust is a common problem on early model Mustangs, especially those made in Michigan and New Jersey, due to the harsh winter climate.  While there are many excellent Mustangs around manufactured in the East and Mid-West, we prefer Mustangs made in San Jose.  The VIN identifies the plant of manufacture.
• Car Body - We inspect body panels, seams, and do a magnet and visual test for body filler.  We inspect the paint thoroughly for quality and condition.
• Interior Soft Trim - The interior is inspected including headliner, upholstery, carpeting, seats, tracks, seat adjustments, parking brake, etc.  Seats, tracks, seat adjustments, parking brake are tested for proper working condition.
• Electrical Components - All exterior lights are tested.  Interior electrical components are tested (panel lights, interior lights, horn, gauges, cigarette lighter, ash tray, glove box light, console (if applicable), and shift selector light.  
• Under the Hood - Visual inspection of engine compartment including all fluids, belts, hoses, wiring, filters, battery,
• Rolling Gear - Remove wheels and inspect brakes, shoes, drums, calipers and pads, wheels, tires, and tread depth.  We inspect for uneven tire wear which indicates an alignment problem or worn suspension parts
• Under the car - The car is put on a rack and the under side is inspected for damage, worn bushings, worn drive shaft and universal joints, differential seal leaks, transmission leaks, engine leaks, proper rear end grease levels.
• Road Test - The car is thoroughly road tested on both the highway and city streets.  We look for how the car tracks down the highway, handles turns and  winding streets, wind noises, vibration, smooth up and down shifting, acceleration and brake test.

Note that our inspections cover items which we can inspect without disassembling the car. We have no way of looking at the internal components of the engine, transmission, or drive train and no warranty is expressed or implied by this service. What we offer is due diligence and reasonable assurance that the Mustang or Shelby you are planning to purchase is a solid car. Cars passing the pre-purchase inspection qualify for an extended power train warranty covering engine, transmission, and differential at extra cost.

If your are purchasing an investment quality Mustang and need a "numbers correct" report, it requires removal and reinstallation (R&R) of the cylinder heads and starter motor to determine correct casting numbers and date codes. Components that need to be inspected include engine block, intake and exhaust manifolds, carburetor, accessories, etc. There is an additional cost for this service that covers the extra shop time necessary to complete this type of inspection which varies based on the kind of engine (big versus small block) and the accessories on the car. Call us for details.

Remember, classic Mustangs and Shelbys are notorious for rust, and there are some very clever ways to disguise problems.  If you're not familiar with them, you may learn a very expensive lesson unless you perform the proper due diligence.  So, whether you hire us or someone else, the best money you can spend on the purchase of a classic Mustang is on a pre-purchase inspection.

Every car that passes our pre-purchase inspection qualifies for an optional collector car warranty, at extra cost.  This limited warranty covers much more than the drive train and includes suspension components, cooling system, and more.  

We hope this answers your questions. If you would like to discuss our this further, or would like references, drop us an e-mail with your name, phone number, and a time convenient to call. We would be happy to do so.

*A collector car warranty is an extra cost, limited warranty covering engine, transmission, drive train, suspension, cooling system and other components.  Click here for details.