Just about everyone on the planet knows the success story of the pony car and its ringleader, the Ford Mustang. Lee Iacocca’s brainchild sold about as fast as they could make them in 1965-66, passing one million units during its second model year. The fastback wasn’t part of the line-up in the beginning, but it joined the roster by the Fall of 1965. We suspect this ’65 Mustang Fastback came with a six-cylinder engine originally due to its four-lug set-up with the wheels. It’s offered by a dealer in Los Angeles, California and available here on eBay where the classifieds price is $21,750.
Total Mustang sales for 1965 was about 560,000 units. This does not include the mid-1964 cars that many think of as ’64½ but they’re not. Of those, about 71,000 were fastbacks (regular, not “luxury”) or 13% of the total. The seller says their car came painted in Poppy Red which was applied to 22,000 Mustangs that year, or 4% of the total. We can’t break down as to how many fastbacks came in that hue. The seller’s business name is a bit confusing as it’s called the Beverly Hills Car Club. That sounds like a group of enthusiasts, not a for-profit business. (Source: CJPonyParts)
Given the variety of pictures provided, this car looks to qualify as a “barn find”. There are a couple of early photos taken in a deserted-looking yard and the car has flat tires then. They’re followed up with glamour shots inside a studio of sorts where it looks as though newer tires have been installed. From what we can see, the body looks pretty solid and faded, but there might be a little rust starting to surface around the drip moldings by the doors. And there might be a bit in the passenger rear-quarter behind the wheel. The windshield looks cracked as well as the rubber around it.
For apparently sitting outside a long time, the interior isn’t too bad. Sure, the dash is cracked, the door panels a little ripped and the carpeting worn out, but the upholstery is in surprisingly good shape. The back seat has some odd indentations which suggests something heavy must have been stored there for a while. We don’t see the headliner to critique its condition. All-in-all, this was a standard Mustang interior, suggesting a car with few, if any, optional equipment.
We’re told the Mustang has a 289 V8 with a manual transmission and the photos confirm that. But I’m thinking it’s not likely this engine is original to the car as V8 Mustangs in the day came with 5-lug-wheels. And there is no 289 script on the front fenders. If this at first was a 200 cubic inch six, wouldn’t the manual be a three speed or did someone drop in a four-speed transmission along with the engine? And given how nice and fresh the engine compartment looks, did this supposed transformation take place before or after the car was “found?” If I were to lay down more than $20,000, I’d want some more details. Such as does the car even run as the seller doesn’t say. The abridged VIN number provided by the seller sheds no light on any of this.
The seller has priced this car at the top end of what six-cylinder Mustang fastbacks from ’65 might go for. But it’s not a top end car. And what value does an aftermarket V8 add to the car if this is true? While it looks far better than most long-lost cars we’ve seen, it needs paint and possibly some bodywork, interior adjustments and maybe work to the engine. Am I alone in thinking this car is ambitiously priced?
Every car I’ve seen from “Beverly Hills Car Club” has been, shall we say, “ambitiously” priced. But they need to find just one individual with the necessary cash to make it work….
Pretty sure you’re right that this one started life with a “six” under the hood. The four-lug wheels are a giveaway, as you noted. If memory serves, there was a six cylinder-four-speed combination offered, but IIRC the transmission was an English Ford unit and not stout enough for the 260/289.
In any case, lots of work to do before anyone has to worry about the gearbox spitting teeth. Not inexpensive work, either. I would also imagine there would be some additional sorting to do to bring the chassis up to the level of the most basic original V8 ‘Stang.
Too expensive, too many possible headaches, and a seller/flipper who wants all the money for a car they most likely acquired one step ahead of Pick-Your-Part.
No, thnk you.
The dash has been cut for that aftermarket stereo, and there appears to be rust-through in the floor at the toe boards. This is almost certainly a sign of rust in the cowl vent area. It was very likely a 6-cylinder car, so the engine isn’t original, and neither is the color. I see hints of a more sedate color in the door jambs and under the hood. Still not bad for an early, unrestored Mustang, but only at perhaps at something around half of the asking price.
Wow.
Ever since the sale of Steve McQueens bullet car the price of Mustang fast backs went bonkers. I’ve seen the Beverly Hillbilly Car club around and yes they are quite ambitious flippers.
short version: $21K for a beater that might have a nice but incorrect engine….
Maybe after they pulled it, they stored the original 200 cubic inch six in the back seat . . .
Peculiar car…..First why would you paint your Ford (Blue Horses I remember the ad in Car & Driver) Chevy orange?
The VIN has to have a T in it denoting a 6 cylinder, not a C or a K. There was a Daginaw 4 speed for the 6, but not the V8 (only a 3 speed initially). This car was a cheapo, not even back-up lights. The car may have originally come to BHCC in poppy red but the factory sent it out in a silver blue which shows on all the jams, rear wheelhouses, and the trunk floor. The front seat covers have been replaced as seen by the poor fit on the most likely original foam and frames. A car with this much “patina” on the outside surely had split seat seams on the inside. The pattern from front to rear seat doesn’t quite match. My hat’s off to the detailer for getting shine on just the right parts. Give ’em shiny seats, tires, clean windows, and a clean motor……… that ‘ll get them bidding.
They didn’t replace the carpet because:
A. they didn’t want to disturb the fragility of the floor?
B. it would make the obvious staging of the car even more obvious?
C. they didn’t want to spend a few bucks if they didn’t have to?
No brake update? Single master cylinder and the 4 lug drum brakes. BHCC makes me nervous with this presentation. The staging of the pictures before and especially after makes me think I’d be getting screwed with numerous other issues (and expenses) to be discovered. I’m out, no thanks!
The fact that the ground under the vehicle in the first photo shows significant cracking of soils says that the vehicle has sat in a wet location from time to time prior to the ground drying up and the water under the car would have evaporated at a slower pace and upwards unto the frame….not good. And is anybody else amazed at how simply having a fastback roof and interior seems to automatically add $15k or more to this major project car. Agreed with a previous post that cited the Steve McQueen auction hammer price and it’s effects on all Mustangs even up to the Fox bodies now. I remember a time around 20 years ago that fastback Mustang project cars were plentiful and fairly priced to the point that people were hacking them up to make Eleanor tribute cars based upon Gone in 60 Seconds and then the prices of the rest of fastbacks that survived untouched started to skyrocket and then the oh-so common plethora of traditional Mustang coupes (the “Chevy Cavalier of the late 1960’s”) saw prices suddenly elevated.
Had alot of them back in early-mid 70’s. The 6 with a stick came with 4 lugs (just a reskinned falcon) and the 6 with auto and all the 8’s were 5 lug. I wouldn’t trust those 4 lugs with a V8
Beverly Hills Car Club is not a club… simply a used car (mostly high priced junk) dealer whose only connection to Beverly Hills it the corporate name and the private mail box located in Beverly Hills. The actual location is in a rather crappy area of Los Angeles slightly north of the San Bernadino Freeway. I would be particularly cautious about dealing with anyone who feels the need to enhance their image by identifying itself as a “car club” located in what many consider to be a prestigious city that is located ten miles west of the actual business location.
@Eric they are still plentiful but fairly priced is out the window
BHCC is a sign to stay away! You know well who they are, really makes me wonder about your sincerity when you made the statement about their name and who they are!!! Car is suspect as many they offer! Good try, kick back maybe for write up if it sells????
This is such an obvious RED FLAG…….
There was a 641/2 I owned one, 260, 3 speed, red with white interior and it was registered as a 641/2. These models did not have backup lights.
To much money!!
Notice that the rear axle is an 8″ as per the v8 but with 4 lugs, Why? Pinto or mustang 2 axle but those were narrower that 65 unit if i recall ? Something to ponder on.
My “back in the day” story about a ’65 fastback I bought in ’73.
Worked at a Ford dealer in metro Detroit area, a guy pulled up to the service door with a blue ’65 stang FB 6cyl stick & knocking like to beat the band. He asked to have the engine noise “diagnosed”? Got the car about 1/2 way into a stall and it locked. Service Mgr gave him estimate on a rebuilt engine, the guy said the car wasn’t worth it and asked how much it was worth as-is? Mgr told him the price of scrap, the local yard was paying $35 if they had to pick it up. I told the guy I’d take it for scrap price, he signed the title and I towed it home. Parted it out and made about $200 off it.
That car was in about the same shape at this poppy read beater.