What body should I use?

I have a slight problem... I have a 289 motor, that has been built up, that I want to use to go to cruises, and drag race once in a while. I have a 75 Mach 1, an 88 T-Bird, And an 89 Mustang....My budget is kinda tight, I'm 56, and I'd like some opinions on what body would be the best to use. I know the T-Bird is heavyer. but would that be better for an automatic traany with like 3;50 gears? I would really like to hear some good thought!!!  

Of the set - the "cooler" car IMHO is the 75.  However, it will have issues in tire fitment for the drag strip.  The best all around car of the bunch is the 89 Mustang.  It can be made the light and there are plenty of chassis tuneup parts for that type of car.  Wheels with ET Streets or drag radials can be easily fitted.  An issue with the 89 would be any smog requirements.  If smog is a big issue in your area (as in - you live in or adjacent to a non-attainment area) that may prevent you getting the car tagged or registered for street use, then the 75 is about your only choice.  For the best use of the power available, you want the car as light as possible.  Put a C4 with minor tweaks behind the 289 and use a 10" or 11" performance street converter (Broader, TCI, etc) to get the best out of the combination with a 3.5 gear.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

My three cents (adjusted for inflation)...

How much drag racing are you REALLY going to do? If you plan to take it to track twice a year for fun, I wouldn't be too concerned with weight and tire fitment. Falcon67 brings up some great points, but through the eye of a regular drag racer. If you plan on running every weekend or in your local series, then I would look to the 89 Fox Mustang as your best bet. If you want a cool cruiser you can take to the track now and then I'd say the 75 Mustang II first and then the T-bird. My favorite late-model Birds are the Turbo Coupes and the '89 and up MN-12 chassis cars, especially the SC, but they ARE heavy due to the IRS and body insulation, etc. The Mustang II might be hard to find parts to get it looking really nice, and the V-8 is a tight fit, but possible. The 89 Fox Mustang will be the cheapest to do, as there is a huge aftermarket following. I have a friend with a '92 four-cylinder notch he's dropping a carbed 347 into after spraying a budget paint job on it just to cruise it for fun.

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto

Thanx for the replies, guys. My first choice WAS my little II, but sometimes if you ask for ideas, you get a better overall thought. Most opinions are against the II, so I was very pleased that even the EDITOR of the magazine suggested the use of my baby. NOW FOR ROUND II....... would you use a four speed 10 bolt top cover,[I had it in there before with a hydrualic cylinder, ] ....OR ..would you go with a turbo 2.3 from a 86 turbo coupe? I have a complete 86, needs rebuilt can do easy, got tools, got time...some.. and it is a standard tranny.... Racing at the strip National Trails in Cols, Ohio, would only be 2 or 3 times a year, but would like to hit a lot of cruise-ins here around Athens. I REALLY ENJOY OTHER peoples thoughts, so please, Don't just read this and move on, explain why you would use this combo, so that other people could benifit from your thoughts! Years ago, I learned to use opinions to my benifit, and I didn't get so old that I forgot how important they were!!!!!  

I think he said what I was trying to say but he said it better, see?

Just FYI - the M II uses a special bell and flywheel or flexplate.  It's smaller than normal, the felxplate has 148 teeth if I remember right.  You might have some tunnel massaging to do if you stick something else in there.  A turbo 2.3 stick in an MII would certainly be an unusual combination and sounds like a cool idea.  That would make a great driver IMHO.  
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.

I agree, that was my first thought, a turbo 2.3L with a five-speed in the II would be cool. You can turn up the boost for track use, and have a nice driver for cruises. The turbo will still get the cool factor when the hood is popped and you (should) get props for doing something different besides the age old Fox Mustang with a stroker 5.0 (not that they're not fun/cool, but it is a been there/done that scenario)...

You will most likely need tunnel mods, but nothing a BFH probably can't fix. We ran a nice II about two years ago with a 351W and T-5 five-speed, so you can get it stuffed in there! LOL

I also have on file (sshh, don't tell anyone yet!) a cool Maverick project where the owner stuck a turbo 2.3L in it for cruising and drag strip runs. We've got fuel economy info, track times, etc. to go with the story, to run soon.

Enjoy your project, whatever you decide!

HTH...
Mark  
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine

1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto