Because it’s a Fastback, this 1965 Ford Mustang might just be worth close to the asking price of $24,500 as represented here on craigslist. But maybe not, as it’s already been up for nine days, or ten by the time you read this. The car is located in Braxton, Mississippi in case you’re the one who pries it out of the current owner’s hands.
Is this a value proposition? Well, the paint’s gone, and that might be OK if it were original. The patina on the Wimbledon White actually doesn’t look half bad. The problem is, it’s been painted, possibly over rust—there are certainly bubbles showing—but even more worrying, possibly over body filler. The most distressing picture shows the drop-downs inside the rear driver’s-side quarter panel eaten away. Other spots have pinholes of rust, as is mentioned and shown. And like oh so many Mustang ads everywhere, the real story is not told because there are no shots of the trunk and integral frame rails.
So you buy it with the intention of doing the body properly. That’s ten grand, at least, and then you’ve got a car with a six-pop engine and a three-speed transmission, the one they called the “paper transmission” given its (lack of) reliability. It looks like manual steering, too. The interior is at least quite decent, partly because of the presence of a new seat skin kit. What’s “survivor” about that? The color is very nice, though, being blue. And, the car is air conditioned, with the proper factory below-dash unit. Too bad the compressor recently froze up, which is likely another way of saying that this one needs updating for modern refrigerant. Cha-ching goes your savings account out the door.
By the way, “someone filled the cowl vent.” No big deal? No, big deal. That means that the vents down below were plugged, and that the cowl doesn’t drain as a result. That’s why they sell that little vent cover (for leaving the car out in the rain, or washing it), but the real fix is complicated and expensive. You can probably just ignore that, or try to. It’s hard, though. You look at the front of the car and your heart says, “Gee, there’s just something not right here.” That’s correct, as is the idea that a vehicle is only a “survivor” once, and this isn’t that.
No power steering isn’t a problem ‘cos it’s rear wheel drive and has relatively skinny tyres.
Move the decimal point left a place and it might be an ok proposition.
Everybody pretty much ran around on 78 series tires back then.
and everything was pretty much rear wheel drive.
Rack & pinion steering was common on smaller cars like this.
Like you, this is overpriced.
It’s not rack and pinion …
I have a 1966 white Fastback and know the model very well. I agree with Derick’s point—$2K is closer to the real value here. Aside—a six cylinder is NOT a pony car. You can get something much much better for the asking price than this mess. Don’t even consider it unless the price is reduced minimally by 50%.
Looks ok but what’s hiding under that paint. Filled the cowl vent, what? But it is a fastback and they are special. This one is going to take some deep pockets I am afraid. On the upside will probably become a nice and pretty V-8 car when done.
The cowl repair is a bear of a job. You can get the pieces to weld in and do a nice job fixing it. But the rest? Better look it over good;the fact that the cowl is rotten might be a clue how cab the rest of it is. Correct on the 3 spd, they went to a toploader 3 speed in ’67. I’m sure you would be well into it to fix the body. Then a v8 conversion is another addition . Good luck and know what you are buying.
Cheers
GPC
Can i assume Ford did not make many ’65-73 fastbacks with 6 cylinder motors?
That’s the factor that would hook me. When was the last time you saw one?
Perfect for this era of exploding gas prices.
15K over priced based on the rust repair this one needs
You don’t need to swap a V-8 into any Mustang with an inline 6. You’d need to get an accurate vertical measurement of the current inline 6 and see if an Aussie Ford “Barra” 6, which is based on this engine. The Aussie 6 came in a Pushrod Head with a separate 2 barrel intake manifold (classic inline makes an aluminum version). Newer “Barra”(short for Barramundi) had DOHC, pent-roof combustion chambers, Multi-Port Fuel Injection, Turbos and Intercoolers. They were based on the taller deck 250” small six (the reason you need to Measure to check fitment in the 1st generation Mustang).
Cowl rust is a serious problem in any vehicle that needs to be professionally resolved. I got rid of my favorite truck because of it, a decision I regret to this day. The 1st generation Mustang is one of the best supported cars, as far as sheet metal is concerned. But cowl rust is truly cancer for any car. So weigh the cost and choose your project carefully.
On paper this is the sort of car that interests me. Manual, 6, nothing boosted, standard equipment, no options.
What I look for in new cars [and now pretty much extinct in the market].
But the author is wise in the pointing out of all the red flags.
The Craigslist Paranoia Thumb over the license plate. Really?
That price is a joke.
Covering the cowl vents? Not something I have ever heard of before. WTF? That’s your ventilation system or part of it, is it not?
That console is not from the factory.
What’s that new carpet hiding?
At least the claim of 115,000 miles is fairly believable.
Good piece. Always be skeptical.
Cowl leakage and rust were a problem with the 64-66 Mustangs. As stated previously, repair of this problem is a “bear!” Practically have to remove the front clip of the car plus windshield for repair. Then, if water leaks have occurred for an extensive period of time, the passenger floor pan also has to be replaced. A costly, time consuming repair…
Should the valve cover and air cleaner be ford blue?
They didn’t offer the fastback for 65 it was introduced as a 1966 model year option.
That’s incorrect. The Mustang fast back was introduced in 65.
If that’s not a great candidate for a Barra swap with a huge turbo then I don’t know what is!
Around 1993 or 1994 I was at Hershey trying to sell my 1973 AMC Javelin. Across the row from my car was this dark green, fastback Mustang from the 1960’s in mint condition, owned by an old lady. I was really surprised to see a 6 cylinder in it. The car was in original condition and really beautiful. The asking price was $8,500, if I remember correctly. Whatever the actual price, I do recall back then how surprised I was that the price was so reasonable. Obviously garage kept and low mileage. Everything under the hood was spotless. I realize this was almost 30 years ago and vintage car prices have soared since then. But it still seemed like a bargain. I saw no takers while I was there, I guess because of the 6 cyl.
In the 90s, I did a lot of instructing at Road America for Track Time and others. I had a lady student with an early blue Mustang inline 6, headers, 3 Weber DCOEs and more. She got around pretty good. I really liked the sound.
I WAS the proud owner of a 1965 2+2 Fastback. Paid $900.00 for it in 1971, it was dark green, with white interior, the icing on the cake was the green shag carpet. She had a 289 with a 4 barrel that did not work, I didn’t know a carburator from a calculator back then, believe it to be a vacuum issue. My solution: I ran a green, so it matched the lovely green carpet, nylon cord through the fire wall, and simply tied it to the back 2 barrels. Got hold a a pistolish grip, close facsimile of a pistol grip, hooked the cord to it, and then took a piece of, for a better description, soft styrofoam, coved it in, you guessed it, green carpet, cut a slit in it for the grip, and put it in between the bucket seats. The only issue with that was when my best friend got a wild hair to yank back on it as I would turn a corner. The tires would break loose and we’d go squalling around the turn. This thing had WIDE Parnelli Jones tires on it, ET mags, air shocks and dual Thrush mufflers. It’s Achilles heel was it’s C4 automatic transmission, Ford POJ. She wasn’t fast, but in 1971, 0-60 in 7 seconds wasn’t too bad. Got married, decided needed to get a more family oriented car, so with a sad farewell, we parted ways to the tune of $500.00. If I only knew then, what I know now.