39k-Mile Weekend Project: 1965 Ford Mustang

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There were many automotive success stories in the 1960s, but the Ford Mustang must top the list. Unlike the Chevy Impala, which hit one million units in 1965 alone, the Mustang was a brand-new car. And it strongly appealed to the “youth movement” with the new sensation finding more than 1.2 million homes between 1964 and 1966. The seller has what appears to be an original ’65 convertible left to him by his father-in-law. It will require some mechanical tinkering, yet the odometer reads just 39,000 miles. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, this survivor is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000 OBO. An attaboy to “Zappenduster” for this tip!

Ford built 80,000 Mustang drop-tops in 1965 (including the so-called “1964 ½” models). Next to the fastback, the convertible is probably the most collectible of the body styles, and this one looks solid, wearing its original red paint with some slight damage to the finish on the top of the passenger-side front fender. The black top and matching interior look good, so the car has likely spent a lot of time inside (perhaps the mileage is legit).

No 289 V8 here, as a 200 cubic inch “Thrift-Power” inline-6 resides under the hood, rated at 120 hp from the factory. It’s paired with an automatic transmission, which should deliver 20 mpg in town and 25 on the highway (my ’66 coupe had this arrangement, and that’s the fuel mileage I got when it was 50 cents/gallon). The car sports wire wheels (like mine did), and it has a non-working Sears air conditioner under the dashboard (just as a “factory” unit would have been).

We’re told this machine ran when parked, but not so much at the moment. The carburetor is off, waiting for a rebuild, the transmission leaks fluid, and the shifter is “sloppy”. Plus, the brakes seem to be of the “Maygo” variety (may go at any minute). But the buyer might be able to remedy all of this by doing a few weekends of work himself. Mustangs are not the rarest vintage cars out there, but they’re still in demand.

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Comments

  1. Daniel Harris

    If mileage is legit it would be worth it. Putting the air cleaner back on would make a better perspective to selling it, I think!

    Like 4
    • CATHOUSE

      It will hard to put the air cleaner back on when the carburetor is sitting on the work bench waiting to be rebuilt.

      Like 10
  2. 19Tiger65

    SOLD! Not a bad Mustang for $10k.

    Like 6
  3. Wayne

    Carburetor issues with the Ford 6 cylinder cars were usually nothing more than tightening all the screws. (Throttle plate/body to fuel/float bowl) It fixed the fuel leak, vacuum leak and the idle issue. Rarely do these need a carburetor overhaul. And these look like wire wheel “covers” (just like the ones on the shelf in my storage unit) not actual “real” wire wheels. Real wire wheels would cost more than a V8 upgrade. Just say’n.

    Like 6
    • Bigred

      I have set of dealer installed on my 66′ there are sat for $ 180.00 on Phoenix Marketplace, but they are 13 inch.

      Like 1
  4. 71Boss351

    SOLD! I am not in the market for one these Mustangs but that was a good price for what it appears to be in the pictures. I would be tempted if it was still available.

    Like 3
  5. Carey Patrick

    All i can say is he gave it away. I have worked on the 6es and they are easy. Too freakin bad.

    Like 4
  6. hairyolds68Member

    somebody liked enough to cough up 10k. pure profit since it was given to him.

    Like 5

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