In its second full year of production (1966), the new Ford Mustang set a sales record that wouldn’t be repeated even though the car is still sold today. More than 607,000 copies left the factories that year, including 72,000 drop tops like this one. But the passage of time hasn’t been kind to this car and it’s hard to tell what the original color was (hint: it was Springtime Yellow). Neither complete nor numbers matching, this project Mustang is in Jonesboro, Louisiana. and is available here on eBay. The seller has set a reserve that $2,550 is not enough to crack.
Back in the day, this Mustang left the Dearborn, Michigan factory with a 289 cubic inch V8/2-barrel carburetor (C-code). It had then and has now a 3-speed manual transmission. The 289 is long gone, having been replaced by a later 302 that has had quite a few parts lifted from it. But we’re told the motor turns freely, so it should be rebuildable unless you’d rather go back to a period-correct 289. The last time this car may have been running was 1982 given the year of the inspection sticker on the windshield. From then forward, it lived in a barn and supposedly out of the elements.
Offered by a dealer, some work appears to have already been done. Some of the floor pans look new and we’re told the driver’s side quarter panel has been replaced. And while things look crusty in the photos, the seller says most of the rest is in good, restorable condition. You’ll want to take the red, black, and grey paint/primer down to the metal to start over again.
The convertible canvas is long gone but the hardware may be intact. The back seat has taken flight and the bucket seats may be transported from another Mustang. If you’re looking for a first-generation Mustang convertible to restore, this may be in better shape than some (but worse than others). The acquisition cost will be important, but how far into five digits could that go and this still be a viable restoration project?
I say the original color is the light blue. The 1965, and 66 Mustangs look very much alike. That said, the differences between the two years are subtle, but enough that in my opinion, the 66 has to be my favorite. For example, the IP on the 65 was lifted right out of the Falcon, not that it’s bad, but the 66 evolved 4 round gauges, 2 on each side of a much larger round speedometer, and is on a flat surface rather than one that has a curve inward. That all fits the Mustang much better. One the exterior, the running horse “floats in the grill, whereas the 65 has 4 bars attached to the horse that reach out to the top,bottom, and both sides. On the rear quarters of the 65, just behind the doors, has a simulated rear brake vent angled back, vertically mounted. The 66s have three bars that extend forward adding additional detail to the simulated vent, it works very well. The rear gas cap is black with the running horse in the middle surrounded by a chrome ring. The 66 is all bright metal with the red, white and blue behind the running horse. It provides a more sofistcated look to the rear of the car. As I stated before, the differences between the two is very subtle. The designers, (Lee Iaccoca) and his buddies really knocked it out of the park, as they did with all the Ford Motor Company cars in the middle 60s. There wasn’t one miss in the line up. Including the Lincolns and Mercurys. They all had very strong and substantial looks about them. They made the GM and Chryslers of the period had softer more sculptured lines about them. What Iaccoca could not have known, but all automotive designers all hope for, is that the brand is still very important American car today as it was 50 years ago. It’s known all over the world as an American icon. Henry would be proud, but would downplay it’s importance as he did with the Model Ts and As. I guess 15 million sold was a trivial success to him. With cars like the model Ts and As, the Thunderbirds, Mustangs Mercurys and Lincolns, and of course the F-series trucks have been the best selling American vehicle for over 30 years. 30 years! the Ford Motor Company has been building iconic, collectable, American cars for over a 100 years, and if you check, today the Ford Motor Company is as strong as it’s ever been. It’s been my favorite since my first 66 Mustang. I won’t own any car unless it’s wearing the beautiful blue Ford Oval.
Like you, I was always a Ford product man, till Ford had one basic design that came in small, medium, large and extra large sizes. At that time I left Ford.
Arcadia blue !
wide print camouflage.! only one in that color.! Have always loved the “Stangs”!
First, to William. It says right in the write-up and in the eBay ad that it was yellow in color originally so there’s no guesswork there. And second I don’t know if anyone noticed but there’s a real water line on the bottom of that engine. Not sure what that means but being in Louisiana I would wonder. Looks like a lot of work has been done could be a really nice project if it doesn’t go too far but I’m not sure I would want to be one to tackle it because you never know what you’re going to get into once you get into it.
$3k isn’t bad for a convertible project car. Future reference people, tape, sand then a few coats of primer would help selling the car easier and maybe for a few extra bucks too. Put some effort into that, do a good job and plus it’s not expensive. A uniform grey would be huge to sell your fixer upper plus I’d have found a cheap back seat top. Little cheap things will boost your selling price.