If you’re looking for a Mustang project and like a good challenge, this one might be for you. It will need lots of cosmetic and mechanical work and – if the engine code the seller provides is correct – its 289 V8 was swapped for a rebuilt inline-6. Located in a garage in Syracuse, New York, the seller is looking to trade for an easier project or will take cash. The Mustang is available here on eBay for the Buy it Now price of $2,500 or you can make an offer. Thanks to Barn Finds’ own Adam Clarke for turning us on to this project car.
By the time the books were closed on the 1965 model year, Ford had built 680,989 Mustangs (including the abbreviated 1964-65 season where they were titled as ‘65s). You’d be hard-pressed to find another automobile that saw that much activity in such a short period. The seller says his car was a “C-code” Mustang meaning it had the basic V8 from the factory. In an unusual step backward, that motor has been supplanted by a six that was refreshed but never run. Probably 200 cubic inches, it could also be the 170 that went into the “64 ½” Mustangs built in the Spring/Summer of 1964.
The seller bought this car a few years ago to do a restoration and it’s turned into more work than he wants to do. That happens a lot, leaving a project for someone else to sort out. While we’re told there are plenty of new parts, there’s stuff missing as well, like the bumpers. And the windshield to broken and will need replacing. To help put the interior back in order, the seller will include a new upholstery kit, but that will leave the dash, door panels, and headliner to deal with.
Because of its location in a dark garage, no photos of the entire car are provided. We’re told there is a lot of rust to fix, and we’d agree that the right rear quarter panel at a minimum looks weak. And the floorboards are full of holes.. At one time this Mustang wore dark green paint, which is a good color on these cars (I had a ’66 Mustang painted that way, also with a black interior). The car is said to have a manual transmission, but if it’s leftover from the 289, will it fit properly with the 200? Interested parties should be aware that New York State, where the car was registered, does not provide titles on older cars. So, a Bill of Sale will be used.
More like, more money than he wants to spend. Awfully rough, would be nice if he has the original motor mount brackets for the V8, though even if he does, these cars just don’t excite me that much. Yeah, I’ll pass.
A parts car, in its present condition.
Looks like someone was dancing on the roof. Also looks like it could have had a vinyl top at one time.
Agreed junkman. The only cars that excite me LESS are tri-fives.
The prices on these mid-sixties Mustangs make me think my wife might be right telling me to sell the one I have since I never seem to have the time to reassemble it & it’s been apart since 93. No rust, bodyworks done on main shell, new vinyl roof(hardtop), rebuilt A-code V8, a/c car but the one previous owner sold it to race it(thank goodness he never did, putz) and a pile of new parts. Oh well one day!