There is a story behind virtually every car that we see here at Barn Finds. Some of these stories are enough to gladden our hearts, while others will tear at our heartstrings. I wish that I could say that this 1966 Mustang fell into the former category, but unfortunately, it finds itself in the latter. The owner of this classic purchased it for his wife, but sadly, she passed away before she had the opportunity to enjoy the car that was purchased as much with love as it was with cash. Now he has decided to part with the Mustang, and what he doesn’t want is a million dollars. He simply wants it to go to a good home. If that sounds like it could be yours, then you will find the Mustang located in Canyon, Texas, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The owner is asking a rather modest $13,500 for the classic Ford.

For an owner who is seeking spotless originality, this car doesn’t fulfill those criteria. What it does represent is a clean classic that has undergone some of the subtle modifications that we often see performed on Mustangs of this vintage. The body is solid, with a coating of surface corrosion on the underside, but no visible penetrating rust. The panels look very straight, with no signs of anything that is likely to cause a prospective owner to have sleepless nights. The Mustang has received a repaint at some point in its original Nightmist Blue, and the paint remains in a very presentable state. The chrome rocker and side trims bring a touch of class and style to an already stylish vehicle, while a driver’s mirror and back-up lights add practicality to the mix. The wheels are one of the more obvious deviations from the vehicle’s original specifications, but the 15″ American Racing Torq Thrust wheels simply don’t look out of place on the Mustang. They are mounted with some of BF Goodrich’s finest product, and with a tire size of 215/60 x 15, the little pony car should find itself with a firm grip on Planet Earth.

Lifting the hood reveals a very clean engine bay, and also why this Mustang is close to the car that I dreamed of owning when I was a lad. I have always wanted a 1966 Mustang with a 289 under the hood, and that is what we find here. The 289 is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, with the car also featuring power front disc brakes. It is here that the Mustang takes its greatest leap away from originality because when it rolled off the production line, it was a 200ci six that occupied this spot. A 289 transplant into a 6-cylinder Mustang is a conversion that has been performed literally thousands of times over the past half-century, so finding this is nothing out of the ordinary. It isn’t clear whether the engine remains standard, or whether it has received any performance upgrades. I do get the impression that this could be an A-Code engine, which should mean that it produces at least 225hp. These engines were also pretty mild-mannered in this tune, making the Mustang easy to live with around town, but capable of very decent performance if the loud pedal was given a poke. It would seem those first impressions count for a lot here, because not only does the engine and its surrounds present nicely, but the owner states that the Mustang runs and drives very well. It is also worth noting that the Mustang has recently received a new fuel tank, a full fluids change, and a complete front-end rebuild.

The interior of the Mustang also presents well, with little for the next owner to do. I initially thought that the carpet was a bit faded, but working my way carefully through the photos reveals that this is merely a trick of the light. So, don’t get fooled like I was originally. The upholstered surfaces present virtually flawlessly, with no signs of any rips, seam separation, or significant wear issues. The same would appear to be true of the headliner and the dash. Once again, the Mustang has been treated to a few aftermarket additions, but in a car of this style, they don’t detract at all. An aftermarket console has been fitted, but its color and finish is a nice match to this Mustang’s original upholstery. There is also a tach mounted on the steering column, and whether that stays or goes will be a fairly easy choice for the buyer to make. There is a retro-style stereo fitted into the dash, but once again, it doesn’t look out of place. The Mustang has also been fitted with an aftermarket air conditioning system. This doesn’t currently function, with the compressor now sitting in the trunk. However all of the brackets and fittings are also present, so reinstating and recommissioning it shouldn’t be too difficult.

This 1966 Mustang looks to be a clean and tidy vehicle that has received some quite tasteful and sensible upgrades. It is not a trailer queen but is the sort of car where the owner can slip behind the wheel immediately and drive off into the sunset. Its backstory is one of sorrow, but it appears that the owner is ready to move forward and to let some lucky person enjoy a car that he purchased with his heart as much as his head. I want someone who will appreciate it to buy this car, and I then want them to get out on the road and revel in the ownership experience. That’s what this car was built for, and that is what the owner wants. You really can’t ask for more than that.