Introducing a car so epic that, much like the Grand Canyon, only a wide-angle lens can fully render its beauty. A slight exaggeration, perhaps, but the sky is the limit for this 1965 Mustang’s next chapter. Originally a C-code 289 car, the early-build ’65 fastback in Cumberland, Maryland comes at you with nothing to hide, most notably in the drive-train department where it lacks an engine and transmission. The upside of this downside is there’s no reason to respect the car’s original equipment. Mild to wild, the decision can be yours with the high bid here on eBay. At least 17 bidders cast a lot for this fastback Ford, elevating its market value above $6000.
With its front clip removed and its structure laid bare, the long-ignored Ford shows no signs of front-end impact. Before evolving with the muscle car market, Mustangs were not designed for engines beyond 289 cubic inches. Still, with modified shock towers and other structure, they’ve swallowed everything from the modern Coyote 5.0 to the brute-force of Ford’s “385-series” monsters.
The rear bumper looks great from this angle, as does the metal in general, with a few rusty exceptions shown in the listing. The ’65 Mustang makes a popular ride in the vintage road racing world, where Carroll Shelby’s tweaks transformed the sporty 2+2 into a genuine corner carver.
The coupe door will need new glass, as graciously disclosed by the seller. Originally burgundy, the multi-colored classic will look great in nearly any color, but I’d spray it Caspian Blue.
Aside from a picture of a solid metal floor pan, this is the only interior shot we get. The popularity of Ford’s Mustang could not be denied, and buyers snapped up about a half-million every year from 1965 to 1967. First-generation Mustangs still rank high on many enthusiasts’ Top Ten lists. Dollar for dollar, the lighter car always holds an advantage in speed, braking, and cornering, and few lighter cars of this era approach the classic good looks of the original Pony Car. This one could go in any direction. How would you build this long-sidelined fastback?
4v Cleveland top loader and narrowed 9 inch
Depending on what it’s in and/or how original you want to have it. Both have pros and cons, both are great motors for different reasons. The 351 Cleveland is heavier and more difficult to find hi-performance parts for nowadays. They were last built and offered in Fords in 1974 (1973 for Mustangs) . The 1975 and beyond were 351M’s. The 351 Windsor’s were first offered in 1968 (1969 for Mustangs) and used in Ford trucks up into the mid-90’s ( and 1995 Cobra R Mustang’s). Performance parts and development has continued on the Windsor engine and you can still buy 351W crate motors form Ford Motorsports.
This being a small first gen Stang i would go 351 Windsor..if choosing between C and W .
Whats wrong with building up a 289 Ford block with performance heads, intake , fuel injection and forged pistons?
Fyi: my 67 mustang convert has a 289 Windsor (heads are stamped 289 Windsor)and block serial 288 Windsor…
its not the original but research Ford experiment with Just in Time inventories and thinking they were out if 289s and asking Windsor Canada for a batch .. then realized they had a warehouse of 289s. 😜
I like the aerodynamic front-end.
Looks ok from up top but its a rust and bondo bucket. After all it is a Rustang. Looker over good before you hit the button, to an expert its easier, just labor and materials for the customer$$$$$ ! Good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
GPC
A fool and their money soon parted.
Been around and seen a lot of first gen Mustangs over the years. Never seen one where someone decided to take a hacksaw to the taillight units to create on ugly red square. The signature bars are iconic on the rear of almost every production Mustang produced.
From a guy who used to restore these cars, this is a total mess. It’s already at $6,600, and for what is essentially a low end common model, with this amount of work it’s already in the stratosphere. As I like to say, leave your money in your pocket and keep walking.
Tree-fiddy, that’s all I’m gonna say.
In the 70,s you couldn,t give this piece of junk to a junk dealer. I can find alot better car or truck any day . All it take is insurance ,tags and gas. $6,800. I can find alot better things to do with my money. I wonder if the buyer takes care of his kids or would buy a hungry person a meal? Now days this piece of scrap would be worth about $75. Why would this be considered a car–the shape its in.?
I’m continually baffled by what these left over parts cars sell for. The remains of that Charger that sold for over $8,000 a couple of days ago is another good example of this. The prices brought by these crusher escapees makes no sense. I understand wanting a project to build but a lot of these cars are so bad and incomplete I can’t believe anybody wants them. Start with something not so rusty and missing more than what is there and save a lot of time and money. These cars in this condition (and a LOT worse) are apparently selling all the time. I’d bet most of them never make it back to the road.
Steve, they may not have actually sold. I just sold 3 project vehicles on Feebay, and with the fake bidding and getting run around on collecting the money, and paying the fees, I’m wondering if its worth it. If a sham bidder wins the car it probablly didnt sell. I had some idiots with zero feedback bidding a dollar or 2 at a time, one actually was the high bidder and of course no response. Also paypal takes its sweet @$$ time getting the money transferred to you. You can get it transferred immediately for a 1% fee, or wait 3 to 5 days. Point is, things sometimes ain’t what they appear!
Good luck and stay safe
Cheers
GPC
I don’t know how many sales on e-bay fall through but the sheer number of complete wrecks that sell for big money is amazing. And the trend seems to be escalating.