Virtually every motoring enthusiast has their dream car garage that they would fill with their favorite classics. Mine is quite an eclectic mix but for as long as I can remember, a 1966 Mustang GT Fastback with a K-Code 289ci V8 has been at the very top. Therefore, I was immediately drawn to our feature car when I spotted it. It recently underwent a meticulous restoration, leaving its new owner with nothing to do but slip behind the wheel and enjoy the raw performance experience provided by what is considered by most people to be the ultimate Mustang produced by Ford in 1966. The seller has listed the GT here on eBay in Bellingham, Washington. The price of a classic of this caliber is never cheap, meaning you would need to hand over $89,500 to park it in your garage.
There are a few watershed moments in automotive history, and the unveiling of the First Generation Mustang is one of those. It demonstrated to the buying public that they could drive off the showroom floor in an affordable car with stunning styling, while the more well-heeled could order a vehicle that combined those looks with stunning performance. No car better demonstrates that than this GT Fastback. The seller recently completed a nut-and-bolt restoration, refinishing the vehicle in stunning Sauterne Gold. The paint has a mirror shine, with no visible flaws or defects. It covers laser-straight panels, while the recent work should ensure that it is rust-free. The trim is as impressive as the paint, with the styled wheels and narrow whitewalls adding the perfect finishing touch. The tinted glass is flawless, and as we are about to see, this is just the beginning of the positive news.
Ordering a ’66 Mustang GT brought Ford’s glorious 289ci V8 as standard equipment. The A-Code version offered respectable performance, although Ford offered a range-topping alternative that boosted performance to a far higher level. The A-Code delivered 225hp and 305 ft/lbs of torque, with both figures looking quite decent. The ultimate version was the K-Code, which lifted those numbers to 271hp and 312 ft/lbs. That gave the driver access to a ¼-mile ET of 14.7 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. Therefore, the GT had the muscle to match its looks. That is the engine we find hiding under the hood of our feature car, which the first owner teamed with a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and front disc brakes. Potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition, with the seller using the word “amazing” to describe how it runs and drives.
This Mustang doesn’t appear to have a weak point, and many readers will be impressed by the interior. It features Ivy Gold and White Pony trim, a console, ultra-desirable Rally Pac gauges, and an AM radio. As with the exterior, there appears to be nothing to criticize about its condition or presentation. It is unclear when the restoration ended, but the lack of visible wear suggests that this GT hasn’t seen much action since. Every aspect of this car guarantees it should receive nothing but positive comments if the buyer hits the show circuit or rocks up behind the wheel at a Cars & Coffee.
The only drawback with writing for Barn Finds is that we each are faced with classics that we would love to park in our garage. Those are the feelings that I am experiencing with this 1966 Mustang GT Fastback. The paint shade isn’t my favorite, because Ivy Green would make it my ultimate dream car. However, I would happily live with the color compromise, because it ticks every other box for me. If you harbor the same feelings, would you consider pursuing the GT further? I will hardly blame you if you do.
Agree the paint shade isn’t my favorite either. My 65 K-code fastback is Raven black. This is a nice car. Only non-stock I see at a glance is the chrome monte carlo bar under the hood.
Actually I missed a big extra, it has power steering. As I recall that was not an available option on the K-codes. The GT was equipped with quicker ratio steering boxes though.
Second to that, it shouldn’t have PS… and he describes quick “racial” (sic) steering. Never saw the two together so that’s a puzzle that needs to be answered. Still, if it has it’s original engine the price isn’t fantasy, and to me, the color combo is appealing.
Although the chrome bar may not be stock, I can remember reading a (motor trend or some other magazine) review back then, wherein the torque on the 271 hi po engine was so strong that it would slightly warp the front fenders. So the bar actually serves a purpose.
Served a purpose back in the day. I’m sure a restored car like this isn’t driven hard enough to twist anything. And the Monte Carlo bar alone wasn’t nearly as effective as the export brace which isn’t on this car, and of course the best set up for strengthening the front is the combination of both pieces like the Shelby had.
Also, for almost 90k you expect the car to be all original. The installation of a monte carlo bar on this vehicle requires drilling extra holes, holes that were not there from the factory. To return that to original you would need to weld grind and paint. Not a simple thing
Stealing the statement from Shelby, About 98% of these early mustangs were just boring secretaries cars , UNLESS The right option boxes were checked on a fastback – THEN A very special car came out of Dearborn. This is certainly one of those 2%, fantastic car here!
For all the dozens of variations of Detroit muscle, I have been lucky enough to be able to own, work on and drive the 271-289 Is one I have never had the pleasure to experience. For all, I have read about this powerplant in the cobra it Still must be One mighty impressive power plant in a light Mustang. I hope one day I get to take it in. :)
For 90 grand you’d think the seller could back the car out of the garage and take some all-around photos…
Beautiful fastback and must be a blast to drive, love the color as you don’t see this color at every car show etc.Can’t see much of the 1955 Chevy in front of it but if it’s got 327 and a 4-speed I’ll take that one too.
It’s missing the c-molding on the side that ’66 Mustangs have.
Fastbacks don’t have that piece and neither do any of the GT cars. So there are two reasons this one wouldn’t have them.
Really nice car. Highly desirable too. I’m fine with the non-flashy color, and even the whitewalls add to its clean look.
It is missing all 4 of the front fender to hood bumpers. They are reproduced and cheap so why are they missing? When I see a small easily correctable issue like this it makes me question the rest of the work.
You are right, it’s the small details that matter the most when viewing an online ad. Pictures tend to overlook flaws that would be easily picked up in person. That makes picking up little shortcuts like the missing bumpers so important.
Steve R
Also missing the chrome front bumper guards. Those are easy to put on though and a lot of people omit them because they do look cleaner without them. But once again minor details that matter when someone is trying to get top dollar. Being a GT it wouldn’t have the rear ones, but it would have come from the factory with the fronts.
In today’s economy 90k is wishful thinking, take it to a Barrett Jackson auction and see if one of those billionaires will take the bait.
But they were never called a fastback?
Great buy
Nice but I would add more and get a real GT350. Shelby’s are cheap now!!!!
I could be wrong, but if I recall properly, K code engined Mustangs couldn’t be ordered with air conditioning or power brakes. I owned 7 Mustangs here in Italy, also a red 4 speed V8 GT 1966 convertible and a red V8 65 fastback with front drums, center console, original AC , styled steel wheels and Rally Pac.
You are correct. K-codes couldn’t be ordered with either. A/C did end up on a few as dealer options since the dealer installed those units anyway.
Passed a K code 2+2 up back in the day, $600.00, must of been about 1976. It ran like a scalded dog but was so rusty. This was Ann Arbor, Michigan in the salt belt. Thing felt like it was changing lanes as I was running through the gears. One of my favorite cars, nice and light. I had a 289 coupe, I think it weighed 2640 lbs
Great looking classic with a lot of good features. Love the color.
90K??? Needs to sleep before he dreams.. My humble opinion.
Well we have come full circle from a once supposedbeauty now totaled and not worth a summitt racing 302,HP to a near perfect restoration asking 80 grand. Being that the present going price is between 50 and 100 grand, this is priced fairly with possibility of bidding reaching that top figure…..
Man, those fastbacks are so much better looking than the standard mustang. What did that option cost, $67.44 or some ridiculous price?
For the price….I think a Marti report wouldn’t be to much to ask….I like them and ordered them myself.
It is too much to ask, because there are no Marti reports for 65-66 mustangs. Those records were purged from the system before Marti reports was a thing.
I’m not in the mark for a ‘Stang but if I was I’d be cautious about buying from this seller.. he has a couple of feedback reviews that are downright scathing.
Those K-GT’s were considered poor man’s SHELBY :)
I think its top end would be over 130. I was clocked on at 130 mph by a cop in my’65 A-code and it was still climbing! It was back in 1974. Wish I still had it! Pony trim, 3 on the floor coupe!