If you worked at a Ford plant that built the new Mustang in 1964-66, you probably got as much overtime as you ever wanted to see. Nearly 1.3 million cars were built in 2 ½ years. Including this ’65 Mustang, the first year of the fastback model. This one is a project car and we’re not certain if it’s complete, but a lot of stuff seems to come with it. Located in Woodville, Texas, this outdoor find is available here on eBay where bidders have gotten the ante up to $7,500.
The 1965 model year was the first full year of Mustang production. They got an early start in 1964 and sometimes those cars are thought of as ‘64.5 models, but they’re all titled as ‘65s. The fastback wasn’t available until the official 1965 model year began and nearly 77,000 of them were built, including the “luxury” edition. The seller’s car is said to be an “A” code model with an automatic transmission, the powerplant being a 289 V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor. But that’s how the car left the factory, not necessarily reflective of its status today.
It’s a bit unclear in the seller’s listing description as to the exact standing of things and what comes with the car. Not all the sheet metal is installed, and various fenders are scattered about, so we assume there are enough of those parts needed to make a whole car. We’re told the floor pans are done but have they been welded in, and another set of pans is visible laying in the yard. The seller refers to a new red interior (the car itself is white), but it must be in boxes as no photos show it.
We can see parts of a drivetrain in the pics provided (I don’t think the dog is included in the sale), but it doesn’t look complete, so is the seller providing a complete engine and transmission? He indicates a 4-speed is available separately if you want it. We’re told the car has a new suspension and we see at least one new tire on rims that may or may not match. Also, 4-wheel disc brakes are provided, but are they on the car already? I’d want to have a conversation with the seller about what’s here before submitting a bid.
Not a bad project. I wonder about the quality of the work though. I would think at least $10k if it checks out…
My dad worked at Fords San Jose Assembly from 55-83 as QC manager “Quality Control”. I worked there in HS, and they were running 58 work weeks, two shifts a day, 5 10’s and 8 on Saturday. (I was a part timer covering the high absentee rates of Mon, Fri and Saturday. The plant was quiet for about 3 hours a day, lunch twice as day, the 30 min between day and night and the 2 1/5 or 3 hrs. at the end of the night shift. What a life. It gave the average guy or gal the opportunity to buy a house or have some sort of mild prosperity, of course family life suffered. A lot of overtime $$ for high school senior.
Even as late as 91-92 a good manufacturing job could get you a house in the core of the Bay Area. Even though the houses were not equivalent in size, a house could be bought in the east bay for the same price as one on the peninsula. Once the high tech companies found their footing combined with the lack of land, the differential is now $500,000 to $1,000,000+ for the same houses. Me and several friends bought houses during that time period, most of them choose the peninsula, I chose the east bay, mainly due to the availability of side access for the same price. That was a huge mistake.
Steve R
So Steve, Off topic. Been reading about the mass exodus from Cali due to the issues of crime high cost of living and homeless now fires.
Curious if you are staying or planning an exit to a low cost state?
Eventually, I’ll leave after my parents pass. When they moved to the state they bought a house 2 miles from my dads work, by luck it’s midway between San Francisco and silicone valley. It attracts couples where one person works in each location.
Not everyone is leaving, the demographics look a bit like a barbell. The young leave because it’s so expensive, many of their parents follow when they retire. So do a lot of cops and firemen, almost everyone I know leaves when they retire, they sell their house and take their six figure pensions with them, it supports a great lifestyle nearly anywhere else in the country. The people in the middle, like my parents, that bought in nice areas before prices exploded have no reason to leave.
Steve R
Doers and dreamers end up with project cars. We all see it all the time when it comes to our beloved hobby.. This seller must have been a dreamer. Now it goes on to either a doer or a dreamer. Let’s hope it’s the former rather than the latter..
My dad started at ford buffalo stamping in 1951 he worked as an Automation man at buffalo that was skilled trads he was a navy electrician during WWII. I can remember during the 60s when they where stamping mustang parts he was working 12 hrs. a day 13 days on and 1 off.
I started there in 1977 I was a Diemaker.
I am involved with investment properties in Austin Texas area and #1 new arrivals are from California.The Realtors here are seeing a huge influx of cash buyers moving to hill country and other parts of Texas. Something like 40% of new arrivals are coming out of California, that’s a staggering amount considering there are 49 other states to choose from.