The seller of this Mustang project recently dragged it out of a shed where it had been parked for 20-30 years. It’s pretty rough, but any early production Mustang convertible that’s equipped with an optional 289 is worth saving. This project obviously won’t be an easy undertaking, but if the reserve is really set low as the seller suggests, it might end up going cheap. It’s located in Blue Grass, Iowa and is listed here on eBay with a $0.99 starting bid!
There are many ways to identify an early Mustang. One of the easiest ways though is to look for vents in the panel behind the grill. If you look right in front of where the battery resides, there should be a couple of louvers. They were added to help cool the battery because the early cars still used a generator. Look closely here and you can see the vents. The VIN tells us that this is a D-code car meaning that there should be a 4-barrel equipped 289 V8 in there.
Unfortunately, the extra power provided by the 4-barrel carburetor won’t be as noticeable because it has to go through that automatic transmission. A 4-speed would have been nice, but I suppose it’s fine for 4th of July parades and summer night cruises. The interior is trashed, but that is the least of your problems here. You can get everything needed to spruce things up in here at relatively affordable prices.
This Mustang left the factory in a ’64 1/2 only color – Cascade Green. So, it will look stunning with once it’s all rebuilt and shinny again. I’d be tempted to drop a 4-speed toploader in there and swap out the standard white upholstery with a deluxe black kit though. Either way, I hope this early Pony gets saved. The missing title might present a problem, but if there’s a will there’s a way.
I am VERY curious to see what this sells for. There was a blue one one just like it here in SF, but with a seriously punched-in nose. It sat in an outdoor lot downtown for years and I was just about to go open the glove box and look for docs to find the owner when it disappeared. Thought I might see it turn up online but its gone. Always wondered what it would have been be worth to pay for it.
With a one year color and the possibility of the original engine still being in the car I’d research it indepth and restore it back to delivery day new.
This is one Pony that should be saved!!
Spelling police here.
Shiny is a glossy surface. Shinny is what we did going up a tree.
Here is mine – built Oct 1964 – was officially listed as a 1965 with 14″ wheels, etc. I bought it in 1970 after returning from Vietnam for $1064 and added a few parts over the years…so it is now a Shelby clone.
That’s a ’66 grill. ’65 had the pony,with the surround and horizontal strips to each side filling the grill. ’66 dropped the horizontal strips.
Someone changed the grill, 1964-65 had the “honey comb” grills. The dash is a 1964 as Ford used the dash panels from the Falcon. Also, as stated in a later reply, the 1964 did not have 289 engines, only 265s, 289s were available for the 1965 model.
Late model “Code D” 64 ½ version mustangs did indeed sport a 289 that was not very well known. It’s actually the rarest code of all 64 – 66 Mustangs. Also earlier V8 models were 260 CI not 265.
I have a 65 convertable grate car mine however has been well cared for and is all orig, great fun top down on a nice day ,
Shouldn’t a 64.5 have a 260 CI engine?
The early ones had 260s and the late 64.5s had 289s. The 260 4 barrel was a G code , not sure bout the 289 4 barrel maybe A code. This car her shows a 4 barrel intake But they don’t have the vin listed to tell if its original 4v car.
NO 260 4v or G code in the first year Mustang, it’s very earliest cars could come with the 289 Challenger low compression 4v with 210 HP.
Sold a 65 that was a legitimate barn find around 2009. Convertible top was there. White top blue interior & exterior original paint. It was in bad shape but complete. It had sat so long the wheels were rusted and frozen. I’m almost positive it was a 1 owner. I started my auction at one penny and let it fly. Sold for about 14,000 to someone overseas. If I can post a photo I will.
Data plate info on the one I sold. Not super familiar with Mustangs so I hope this can help someone.
I’m just curious why someone would think this is a negative comment along with the picture of the one I sold. The OP, as well as another comment asked about price. I thought this would be helpful information. Guess not .
Clinton, I’m not sure why either, as you made it plain you had already sold the car. I gave it pluses.
I did it once by mistake. Slow smart phone and fat fingers were to blame.
the hood is also unique on a 64 1/2 stang…never heard of an early 64 1/2 and a late 64 1/2….
the head light buckets have to match the hood corners with their bevels too.
When I purchased mine, the guy told me it was the built the first day they became 65’s which was the first day the had an alternator versus a generator. I am far from an expert despite having owned mine for almost 25 years now. It is a 4 speed an 289. I seem to remember there was an option for a 289 for a period before they became 65’s – but also know I have heard that debated.
This looks like it has potential, but anytime I see someone selling a vehicle and there is another one pictured (never have understood that mentality) that is not for sale, I have a tendency to think they are selling the pig after realizing there is too much money involved in getting the one for sale back up to par. I am to the point now in age and having to pay for anyting major done to a vehicle I buy, that I would never undertake a full restoration on any vehicle. Thats just me though. Jesse, never knew that about the factory louvers in the core support due to the generator so thanks for sharing that.
the core support can be replaced, but the vin can’t.
The “D” code 289 is a correct optional engine for ’64 1/2 (correctly an early ’65). Available engines for ’64 1/2 were “U” code 170 cid inline six (standard), “F” code 260 cid V-8 (with 2-V carb) and the “D” code 289 V-8 with 4-V carb and 210 hp(lower compression) (NOT 225 — that was the later “A” code 4bbl 289). You can put a v8 into a six cylinder car, but you can’t change the vin number that has the engine code in it.