Is it just my imagination, or are the Mustangs on Barn Finds more often rusty messes than, say, the Chevelles or the Mopars? Well, here’s another start-from-scratch project. It’s a 1966 Mustang Fastback, for sale here on eBay with no reserve and a current bid of $12,300. That’s sure to rise, as there are six days left in the auction. Should you win, you will get help loading your car and associated parts from the seller, who lives in Lake George, NY.

This Mustang is devoid of its original engine, a “T” code 200-CID with a one-pot carb. In its place—well, going with the deal but not installed—is a 302-CID of undetermined origin. In the photo, it looks about like it would anchor a medium-sized yacht. I think that’s how I might use it, rather than chance a rebuild. On the other hand, I supposed a good mechanic could have a peek inside and determine whether the internals have some life left. Anyway, you’re not buying this car for the engine.

You’re buying it because it’s a Fastback. As you can see, you’ll be starting from scratch, because someone has disassembled it and left it sit like that. The seller claims he has most of the parts to restore the car, including the fold-down back seat and various trim. He also says that the area most in need is the rear fender lips, which someone flattened to accommodate larger tires. What does this mean for a fix? Does new sheet metal have to be welded in? You Barn Finders who have old-school hot rod history need to step up and explain this in the comments. It’s hard to tell in the photos, which look like they could reveal filler, or is that primer? I’d be at least as concerned with every other square inch of the body, which he says is not rusty but which appears with a fine patina of surface rust everywhere. The seat risers look OK, though, as does the floor, though we don’t see underneath. And please, could someone tell people to stop listing Mustangs without a picture in the trunk, which is where the integral (unibody) frame rails live? When they rust, you’re in trouble.

Two bits of language still puzzle me. First, “These cars are extremely hard to find in this condition.” Does this imply that it’s somehow better to find one someone has stripped and given up on than one that’s intact? Is that because this one will be presumably cheaper than a put-together car? We’ll have to see where the bidding goes to make that judgement. Second, it would be nice to know what “open NY State registration” means. Does that mean he’s been paying registration fees and it’s current, or what? In other words, how much is that going to cost to rectify? If you’re able to answer these things, and you don’t mind putting together a puzzle with no certainty that all of the pieces are there, this might be the car for you.