This ’65 Mustang was a one-owner auto until recently and it had been living unused in a dry garage for 28 years. It was one of more than 559,000 “pony” cars that Ford built in the Mustang’s hugely successful first full year. The 200 cubic inch inline-6 is stuck and the car is cosmetically challenged, so would you restore it to its original-like condition or drop a 289 V8 in under the hood? Located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, this Ford is available here on eBay where a lot of small bids have risen the ante to $5,000.
The seller’s Mustang reminds me of my 1966 coupe, which had the same engine and transmission, black interior, and green paint but darker than what was used on this Ford. In decoding the data plate, it appears this Mustang wore Vintage Burgundy when new, which was probably an awesome color on the Ford. For whatever reason, the original owners changed the color in the 1980s and it may not have been applied well given the overspray we see on the data plate.
There is some bubbling in the paint in places and surface rust lives in the trunk, but the rest of the metal and steel in this car may be okay. The carpeting is as faded out as any I’ve seen, and it makes you wonder what lies below it besides just floorboards. A few things are missing, like half of the horizontal bar on the front grille and the lock on the trunk. Also, the wheel covers look like the ones used on the ’66 model as mine wore the same set. Most of the blue paint has flaked off the valve cover on the miserly little motor. Most of the photos the seller uses show the car wet, which may send the wrong message about the shine of the finish.
Speaking of the motor, the seller has pulled the spark plugs and added some Mystery Oil in an attempt to un-stick the engine, but it may not have worked. For purposes of getting the car to its new home, the Mustang steers and stops as it should. This Ford saw its share of action when it was running as it accumulated 130,000 miles from 1965 to 1994. This looks like a very restorable car and – hopefully – the buyer decides that a 6-banger is plenty of power for this Falcon derivative.
I know this dates me, but how many remember Fords ad campaign, “Six and the single girl”? A takeoff on the widely popular book, “Sex and the single girl”. We, in the conservative midwest, where just the word “sex” was a filthy thing and even the mere suggestion, was taboo. We never saw that ad, but the west coast did, and it was a HUGE sales bonanza, the single gal and her 6 cylinder Mustang. Certainly a great find, and seems prices are coming down. An outstanding family project, I would bet there’s some daughter just got her license, would love this, be the talk of her friends, just like in the 60s. Guys still want that 428CJ, but THIS, is what the original Mustang was all about and gals loved them. At $2398 new, even the librarian, school art teacher ( who was always a bit radical) the school nurse, your dads secretary, all could have one. What ever happened to that?
“What ever happened to that?
Govt. regulations
My first big buy on ebay was this exact car but with a lighter shade of blue , being canadian , i had to pay border fees , taxes , taxes , taxes , fees and more
My daughter wanted it until she drove it and went back to her toyota !
I wasn’t impressed either , good thing is she never bothered me again for an old car
Really? I enjoyed driving my ’65 Mustang!
Claudio, it’s not a foreign high reving built well Japanese car ! It’s back then a quality made American car ! And it probably gets fairly decent mpg. At today’s unpredictable fuel prices it’s a good driver ! Maybe put a 2 stage 2 bbl carb on it but keep the original !
I notice the trunk lock is missing, right off. Needs new seat covers but hey , where else can you get a nice looking car for this price ?
Likewise Jesse. After hs graduation, I picked up a cousin in Detroit & drove all the way to Naples, Fla. to see relatives. Got a ticket in Louisville & back window was full of fruit in netted bags coming home. CCR, Rare Earth, Zepplen, Zappa, etc. on radio. What a trip & great memory. And the 289 dark blue Stang never missed a beat!
Now the wife wife will be after me to put the 289 back in the 65 and finish or sell it. hanks a lot.
Not for me.
Howard, it’s funny that you mentioned the school teacher could have one. My next door neighbour had a 65 Mustang. She was a public school teacher. Not sure what engine was in it, but it was a very nice looking car. The teacher was pretty good looking too, especially to a 10 year old boy!