By 1966, if you didn’t see a Ford Mustang at every street corner, you weren’t paying attention. How could you miss seeing one of 1.3 million cars built in 2.5 years? The Mustang was the success story of the decade and one of the best of all time as the “pony car” took the world by storm in mid-1964. This ’65 edition looks like a nice original car that the seller doesn’t boast much about, just being realistic by just stating the facts. Located in North Port, Florida, this vintage Ford seems reasonably priced at $9,250 here on eBay.
Lee Iacocca had a knack for being in charge when a lot of successful cars came out, the Ford Mustang being one of them. But even ole Lee was probably surprised by the demand it found. Instead of selling 100,000 units per year as envisioned, the little automobile caught the eye of more than a half million buyers in a year and a half. With its engineering based on the Falcon compact, the Mustang was an instant hit and kept the assembly lines running on overtime for several years. Eventually, the competition would catch up, most notably Chevrolet with its Camaro.
The seller’s Mustang was a rather routine example that Lee built, with its C-Code 289 cubic inch V8. That meant it had a 2-barrel carburetor with an output of 200 horses and was paired with an optional automatic transmission. The color looks like Dynasty Green with a beige/greenish interior although the door tag may say differently. If this is a repaint in whatever color, it looks like it was done fairly well. It has covered 117,000 miles and runs and drives, though the seller doesn’t say how well any of this is performed.
There is no indication from the seller of any prior accidents, and it looks good for the age, but certainly not perfect. This is more of a weekend cruiser or for Cars & Coffee, but not a show contender. The interior looks fine with no immediate needs being obvious, so we assume this is a turn-key vehicle that might only need a new home and some possible TLC.
I think this is a 1966 not n a 1965 I could be wrong the vin will tell
The supplied VIN is for a 1965.
That’s a 65 grill with a 66 dashboard 65 gas cap had glass in the center, 66 was all metal
Looks like a late production ’65 since it has a ’66 instrument cluster.
Five in the car and stupid me rode on the backseat hump, traveling from Columbus OH to Lansing MI in 1966. I insisted another buddy enjoy the privilege on the ride home. My butt has never been right since.
Data plate says Honey Gold with black interior from the factory, which was a really nice combo. Should have the “sweep” speedometer. You could get the round gauges in 1965 in a GT or with the “pony” interior, which this isn’t and doesn’t have. Looks like someone fixed it up how they wanted it and that’s OK. Looks crusty down below of course and what’s with the red paint/primer in the trunk? What happened to the quarter panel trim?
The engine is the wrong color should be gold not blue
Engine should be black on a 65, blue on 66 and later.
I’m betting a 66 some one put a 65 grile in (like the 65 grile better myself)
It’s a ’65 based on the front grille.
Has that trim tag been replaced? what would have made the circles around the attaching pins and wouldnt these have been rivets?
It may have been removed when the color change was done. I am not real up on the 1965 Mustangs but whatever was used to attach the door data plate does not look like factory pieces to me. What really needs to be done would be to verify that the fender apron VIN stampings and buck tag numbers match the door data plate and title VIN.
Good call. As I remember from my own 1966 owned years ago, the VIN was stamped in four places – the warranty tag on the driver’s door, the buck tag attached to the driver’s side inner fender, and on the actual inner fenders on both sides. It goes without saying that you should make sure they match what’s on the title before plunking down any money.
I think you are right. Instrument cluster is 1966 for sure.
Thing is , while I count the 65-66 coupes to be among my favorite american cars. Time was this was one of the most common used cars on the road , who knows what has been done , undone and redone to her in the last 58 years. Used be a 65 in town with a huge horse hood ornament and opera windows cut in it. Whew
Like others have said, that is a 66 gauge cluster. But a 65 glove box door, door panels are 65 too, in fact everything about it says 65 except the gauge bezel. If it were a pony or GT cluster it wouldn’t have the thin chrome line the whole way around it. Also someone added an “export brace” under the hood, but it’s not bolted to the firewall, so it isn’t really helping stiffen anything up.
Wrong steering wheel too.
Well my 65 and my brothers 65 the sweep dash and the gas cap had the black medallion in it. We both bought them in 68 so I am certain they were correct.I tried out a 65 Hipo i dont recall it have the round gauges
I miss mine a yellow with tan combo. Mine is the dreaded 6 cylinder with a 3 speed manual. It also has a bench seat, factory ac and tinted glass. It also has one other thing that isn’t that great…rust. I enjoyed every minute I used it years back. Anyone that drives one understands why a bazillion were sold.
Whether a 65 or 66, I hope it provides the new owner with many miles of enjoyment.