Factory Air: 1966 Ford Mustang GT

There will probably never be another decade like the 1960s. It saw humans set foot on the moon for the first time, while bands like The Beatles forever changed the musical landscape. Automotively, it saw the rise of the personal luxury car, and the emergence of both the muscle and pony cars. The most immediately recognized example of the latter is Ford’s Mustang. This 1966 Mustang is the GT variant, and it is a stunning vehicle. It presents well, and with factory air conditioning, life aboard this classic will be pretty pleasant. The seller has listed this wonderful survivor here on eBay in Dallas, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $5,600 as the auction heads into its final days.

The Mustang had firmly established itself by the time this GT rolled off the line in 1966. Its iconic pony car sold in impressive numbers, mainly because Ford offered an affordable entry point via its six-cylinder models. However, those with the cash and desire could opt for vehicles like our featured car, powered by a V8. The seller supplies no information about the history, but the impression conveyed is that it is a largely original survivor. Its Raven Black paint is stunning, possessing a depth that you could almost walk into. The panels are laser-straight, while the underside shots reveal no evidence of genuine penetrating rust. The bright trim looks comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic, and the car retains its distinctive GT features, such as the badges and the grille with foglights. The glass is clear, and the factory styled steel wheels add the perfect finishing touch.

Many people ordered a Mustang with a six under the hood because it offered an affordable entry point to the pony car lifestyle. This GT features Ford’s sweet 289ci V8. As the A-Code version, it sends 225hp and 305 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. The ultimate version of the ’66 GT featured the potent K-Code 289, but this motor would still provide performance that would satisfy most potential buyers. It is unclear whether this GT is numbers-matching or whether it has ever received significant mechanical work. The dual exhaust looks relatively new, and the seller confirms that it runs and drives extremely well. Summer might be fast receding, but there are still opportunities for the winning bidder to slip behind the wheel for some motoring fun before tucking the Mustang away safely for winter.

This Mustang is consistent because its interior is extremely tidy. It features Black “pony” trim, a console, a sports wheel, and factory air conditioning. That last feature will undoubtedly be welcome if the car remains in a warm location, because the paint and trim combination could make the inside of this GT pretty hot on sunny days. Scrutinizing the photos reveals a small developing tear on the outer edge of the driver’s seat. The remaining upholstered surfaces are in good condition, as are the carpet, dash, pad, and headliner. It would be worth consulting an upholsterer about the seat tear, because they may be able to address the issue before it deteriorates further.

History shows that 1966 was the high-water mark for the First Generation Mustang. The company sold 607,568 examples during that model year, establishing the badge’s legendary status. The bidding on this GT has been surprisingly subdued, although the listing statistics suggest that situation could change dramatically during the final hours. I would like to think that we have a few Barn Finds readers who would consider pursuing it further. Even if you don’t, what do you feel would be a fair price for this beauty?