An early-build 1965 Mustang with an April 17, 1964 build date is an uncommon find. One with a D-Code 289 four-barrel engine and a four-speed stick is even better. One where the potential new owner can drive it or restore it is the best. This classic hardtop is just such a vehicle!

Ford trim tags contain a wealth of information. For example, this car was painted Prairie Bronze (if that is indeed a “P” under “Color”), came with black vinyl seats, was scheduled for build on April 17, 1964 (the Mustang’s introduction date), and was shipped to the Los Angeles area (with a 71 DSO code). The transmission code of 5 tells us that this car came from the factory with a four-speed transmission. The letter D in the fifth position of the VIN tells us it was powered by the early-1965 “low-compression” 289 four barrel.

That 289 may still be under the hood; the gold air cleaner and valve covers are undoubtedly correct, as is the 1964 1/2-only generator taking up space on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Aside from some brightly colored spark plug wires and a newer oil filter, everything looks mostly original under the hood. The D-Code engine produced 210 horsepower and was superseded by the A-Code 289 in the fall of 1964. It produced 225 horsepower with a slightly higher compression ratio than the D-Code.

The interior appears to have upgraded “Pony” seat covers but is missing a radio and pedal pad. Everything for an early Mustang is easily found in the aftermarket, so those are no serious demerits.

The seller included undercarriage pictures showing a solid car with a few areas that need attention. The transverse single muffler appears to carry Sears branding; too bad their warranty is most assuredly no longer valid. An 8″ rear axle was standard issue on most 289 Mustangs, and this one would have come with a 3.00:1 gear from the factory. Unfortunately, the listing does not specify any modifications that have been made.

It’s hard to go wrong with a solid early Mustang, but this one does come with a caveat. Facts about the car are somewhat limited, but the seller mentions that the car has a reconstructed title (it is being sold in Pennsylvania). While that may not scare buyers away when a car is 60 years old, it might warrant a conversation with the seller. Regardless, a low-VIN 1965 Mustang is always a conversation piece, and this one happens to be currently priced right. You can find it here on eBay with a current price of $6,975.