Gold Turned To Rust: 1965 Ford Mustang

1965 Ford Mustang Gold

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This 1965 Ford Mustang is said to be a D code car and a very early 1964 and a half production model. It is currently for sale at an asking price of $4,500 but there is also the option to submit an offer. It resides in Elk, River, Minnesota. No miles are listed but the VIN is provided along with a claim of a clear title. You can find it here on eBay.

1965 Ford Mustang Gold

Under the hood is a 289 cubic-inch, eight-cylinder engine that does fire up and run. However, it has a leaking fuel tank so it has to be run on a can. The seller believes the engine and automatic transmission are original to the car. It does have power steering which will be nice if you want to get the car out of a tight spot and up onto a trailer. It might need that too because the underside photos of the car show it in a very rough, rusty condition.

1965 Ford Mustang Gold

Inside, the car is in amazing condition for its age. Besides what looks like a ripped driver seat, just at the top, one part on the back floor, and dirt, it looks barely used. It is an all original interior, including the AM radio that came from the factory and the Rally Pac gauges that add to the instrument panel.

1965 Ford Mustang Gold

Apparently, this car has been up for sale before, but the prior winning bidder was unresponsive, so it has been relisted.  It would not be a poor car to make an offer on. Since it does run, that is helpful, but it will depend greatly on the metalwork that is said that is needed to be done? For example, the seller claims the floors, quarter panels, and rear frame rails will all need to be replaced. That is beyond what most might consider a do it yourself repair. Not only is it that time consuming it also money draining. With all of that into consideration, the three options always present themselves. Buy it and resell/part it out, fix it up, or let it sit.

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Comments

  1. Gaspumpchas

    Too bad its so rotten–a lot of nice options plus the 64 1/2 features are there and shown in the pics. Worse than this been fixed, and the seller is up front about the rust. They must have used a trowel and a wheelbarrow to apply all the mud this thing has in it. And the fenders and wheel wells—Lawdy. Good luck to the new owner.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 5
  2. CCFisher

    Floors, quarters, trunk floor, and rear frame rails are about $500 total. Repair procedures are well-documented. Club support is excellent. This is very much a DIY project for someone who wants to do more than write a check.

    Like 4
    • Chris H

      Agreed! Very doable, but prob not for the novice or faint of heart. Seems worth the $. Now, if i only had the scratch and space and time to go all the way up to Minnesota…

      Like 2
  3. George Mattar

    Ford made what 700,000 first year Muatangs. These things were Swiss cheese by the late 70s. Such a rust bucket. Pass

    Like 3
    • CCFisher

      Technically correct (approximately), but this is one of the ~121,000 early 1965 models that are more prized by enthusiasts, even if the reasons are dubious.

      Like 5
  4. Paul

    It’s not often that you find that much bondo on a cars rear quarter panels.

    Even though car has lost lots of its original steel I’m sure it weighs a lot more then it did new.

    Like 2
  5. Tucker Callan

    What does it cost for a kid to go REHAB
    What does it cost to keep a kid Out Of REHAB
    You will have Equity, instead of Heart Ache!

    Like 5
  6. socaljoe

    That is an early car, April 2nd. I had a 289 D code, 4 speed convertible with an April 17th build date

    Like 1
    • Mark Tuovinen

      Mine was also a 289 D code 4spd convertible, May 26th build date.

      Like 2
  7. Mark Tuovinen

    Somebody double check me on this, it looks to me like the timing cover is wrong. Didn’t early cars use a timing cover with a oil fill tube off the passenger side. I admit it could be my memory as I sold my car long ago. I am pretty sure I still have such a cover in my spare parts pile that hasn’t been touched in about 20 years.

    Like 3
  8. Natec

    Didn’t the early cars use the 260 with the 289 coming later (very late 64 or early 65)? Please correct me if I’m wrong, I know enough about old Fords to be dangerous.

    Like 9
    • Ken

      I had an early 64 1/2 -I ordered before they officially came out and mind had a 260 V8–I believe the 289 came out later that year.

      Like 2
  9. socaljoe

    I’ve seen the oil fill both ways. Either a stove pipe on the passenger side or the valve cover on the left side on these early cars.
    The 289 D code was the 4 barrel option and were available from the start. The 260 was the 2 barrel option and the base engine was a 1700 6.

    Like 3
  10. guggie

    I have seen Mustangs in a lot worse shape fixed up and put back on the road !

    Like 1
  11. Pete

    I see a lot of over spray on the front fenders and grill as well as the data plate. This pony has had some serious work done to it over the years. I almost think you would be better served just buying a Dyncorn body and save a lot of time. You want to fix the original body your looking at Radiator support panel, battery tray, inner wheel well on that side, The entire floor, Rear quarters, Fenders, rear frame rails. Ain’t much left on it gonna be original anyway. If you want to do it right. The ask is a lil steep for what is there. But hey at least it’s not a rust bucket Porche. LOL

    Like 1
  12. John Oliveri

    Friend of mine had a 65, in 75, NY, that car had more bondo already, but from 20 feet , in silver she had eyes, w Camaro buckets, and a Lincoln AM/FM 8 track in the dash, had to file it even, then painted w crinkle paint, wonder where that car is 45 yrs later

    Like 0
  13. Paul

    45 years later? …I think part of it in my laundry room with a LG tag on it!

    Like 2
    • John Oliveri

      I agree, but you never know, but your probably rite, car was only 10 yrs old then,

      Like 1
  14. stillrunners

    Been trying to move this one for a time……..maybe a price drop ?

    Like 0
  15. Peter White

    I have a 641/2 build date 18 May 1964, D code 289 4V, done 39,500 miles totally rust free, had it for quiet a few years needs full resto rats in a barn “no good”

    Like 1

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