Offered with no back story, no title, and only a door tag VIN pictured, this 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2 in Aragon, Georgia needs just about everything. That’s fine, though, because few cars demand as much attention in the aftermarket, and a first-generation Mustang fastback always turns heads, even as human generations cycle through. Close your eyes a moment. Picture a wildly different ’66 fastback: one described by the door tag. The X code Vintage Burgundy paint gleams, complimenting an all black standard vinyl interior. A two-barrel C-code 289 V8 spins the base three-speed manual gearbox. Modest 2.80:1 rear axle gears invite a relaxed approach to motoring. Smile and celebrate the fact that you’re not quite boring enough for the base 120 HP inline six. Back to reality! A later 302 rests in the engine bay now, and there’s either no shifter or no transmission. The interior wears mostly white. Whether or not a prospective buyer holds any interest in returning this rough-ridden pony to stock, the Buy It Now price here on eBay stands at $16,500.
A nondescript 302 cid (5.0L) V8 stands in for the original mill. Consider it a useless paperweight for now. One might surmise the once-lovely Mustang endured outdoor storage sans hood before acquiring this metallic green-ish lid. The left inner fender apron shows crumpled metal from a hard shock, so factor that question mark into your offer. Thanks to MustangSpecs and ClassicPonyCars for their VIN and body tag decoders, respectively. Of the four engines available for ’66, the indicated 200 HP C-code 289 cid (4.7L) V8 marked a healthy upgrade from the 120 HP 200 cid (3.3L) I6. Two hotter A and K code 289s brought 250 and 271 HP, respectively.
Even in this car’s ragged condition, the original fastback Mustang’s styling looks great from every angle. The seller describes mostly usable metal underneath with some areas needing attention. Mostly likely this ride will not return to stock, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to possibilities. Tesla swap, anyone?
It might be faster to name paint colors we don’t see on this car. Some metal shows primer, two shades of green, black, and blue… at least. We might see some Vintage Burgundy, or maybe that’s just primer. The small brake pedal would have accompanied a standard transmission. I like the two-tone black carpet and dash with white seats. Does the world need another all-black interior in the name of originality? How would you re-imagine this forgotten Mustang?
I would re-imagine my thinking and go buy one that runs and drives. Cheaper in the long run.
I wish there was a time lapsed series of photos that could show this car from the day it was new until today. Lots of choices were made along the way.
Great comment! I’ve often wondered that about cars. What have they been through? Where were they parked when Apollo 11 went off etc…Lol.
As bad as this looks, I am certain it is actually much worse.
lol, best quote of the day!
Presentation is everything.
To answer your question, my attitude is if its not full of cancer its worth fixing. Cars with cancer are case by case
This one will need a lot of consideration. Floor boards rusted through and the hole punched into the drivers side shock tower are probably just the beginning.
I believe the hole punched in the drivers side shock tower was cut out with a torch so the service guys could get to the grease fittings on the control arm, my guess there’s a matching one on the RH side. They did that to my fathers 70 Torino.
Looks like it had a hard hit on driver’s side. The apron has a good crinkle by the shock tower
I’d turn it into metal shards, before making this ‘Stang into an electric appliance.
This car looks like it has already had everything…
Tesla swap or tetanus shot?
Ever notice every old clapped out Mustang has at least one random snow tire on it?
Tesla swap? Really? This car is pretty much scrap but to bring up a pos Tesla conversion in an article about classic ice cars is blasphemy. Sorry that’ s my opinion.Maybe you should write articles on a greenie blog.
Looks like it had a hard hit on driver’s side. The apron has a good crinkle by the shock tower
No. This seller has lots of junk for sale. If you paid 5k for this, you’d have 30k in restoration costs. And, no title…. $16,500, yeah, sure…
$30K would just be the start on restoring this car. You can spend half on that on a good paint job.
I love your articles, but please don’t bring the “T” word into the conversation. Especially when it comes to iconic cars. Yes this one is near (or is a) basket case, but it’s still an icon.
Is this one of those ” Rusto mods ” ? Interesting if you look at the other rust buckets he has on Ebay. . I’m thinking he drives around and looks for old cars in peoples yards.
On the other hand, it’s super rare…I heard they only made six of ‘em…
Yes & there are only 2 left surviving !
Too much money for such a huge amount of work, money and time IMO!
BYOB. Bring your own buffer.
Isn’t that instrument cluster from an early ‘65?
It looks like it, along with the glove box door. The ones in 66 weren’t curved inward. The dash pad is also 65.
For all those that think doing an EV swap on a classic Mustang is sacrilege: I promise you I SHALL do it. Because I can. And because they say I shouldn’t. All the more reason. Because this is AMERICA, and we can. I had a 64.5 coupe with a 289 and that infamous powerglide. A dog. My next one will be a convertible and I WILL put an EV drive train in it. The more it angers people, the happier it will make me. I do things for me, not for others. Why? Cause – ‘Merica. What makes me happy is 700+HP of AWD (yup) electric punch. I’m not a tree-hugger – I’m a torque freak and an engineer. I understand the value of instant torque. I go FAST. I don’t spin. I do the math, ’cause that’s my job. I can prove it at the track. The numbers don’t lie. I already have the motors and controllers (this wont be my first build) – looking for a beat up shell like this one. It’s priced to high, and its not a drop top – plus its been hit, otherwise I’d hop on it quick. I’ll be posting all my Mustang blasphemy all over FB and YT. The car will be the talk of the Mustang world – the more scoffers, the more publicity, the more the EV conversion culture will grow. Want to be green? DONT buy a new car with a huge manufacturing carbon footprint. New pickups cost 60 grand+, for example. NOPE. Don’t like the battery phenomenon (child labor exploitation, Chinese dependency)? They just found a Li deposit in Nevada. Plus – fuel cell tech (no batteries)…. Recycle old gas burners, install EV powertrains, charge off-grid using solar and wind or run the fuel cells off of hydrogen you make at home from water. Yes you can, yes I have. Be green by design, and keep the back of your EV ‘Stang looking clean because that’s all they will ever see. You can believe that. Be afraid because your turbo ain’t big enough and you cant feed enough nitrous into that thing to keep up with what I bring. And I don’t bring a trailer. Track on Sunday, to work on Monday. Cause – ‘Merica.
Well ok then! But just an FYI – a 64 1/2 Mustang never had a powerglide. That would be a 2 speed General Motors transmission. Maybe you had a Cruise O Matic?
yes, I meant the 2 speed cruiseomatic slushbox, sorry
And the Cruise O Matic was a three speed box that would start in second gear if you used the upper of the two drive settings. N Mustang ever came with a Ford O Matic, the two-speed box they used in Fairlanes and Falcons prior to 1964.
Cruise O Matic is a 3 speed.
Mine had 2 speeds as I remember. It was awful. Eventually the pump failed and dumped fluid everywhere. Not the first auto to fail on me. I don’t try to get technical with automatic transmission names or numbers of gears or ratios, because I don’t care. I purposefully don’t want to know. Too many bad experiences with automatic transmissions failing and leaving me stranded cause me to dismiss dealing with them any longer. If I buy a car with an auto (which is rare), the first order of business is to pull it, sell it on Ebay, and replace it with a manual. I am a manual man, religiously. I converted my 86 Skyhawk hatchback from an auto to 5 speed after it failed and left me stranded in the middle of nowhere, and also my 78 Nova (that was a hatchback too) from an auto to BW 5 speed after it got stuck in 1st gear permanently. 2 grand for an auto rebuild, or $500 for the complete manual assembly (with pedals) out of a junk firebird donor – the choice was easy. No amount of fluid flushes and filter changes or seal replacements seemed to matter with these automatic paperweights. The conversions radically changed both cars from crap to sweet. And they last. Give me 3 pedals, thank you….. Great security device these days as well, lol. I was in the process of converting the ‘Stang to a manual BW 5 speed when I was forced to sell it.
Your attitude is aligned the original spirit of hot rodding!
I’m looking forward to a time when used EV components become more ubiquitous where rednecks like myself can afford to do it.
I would be doing it primarily for efficiency though, not to AGGRAVATE old people.
i like your attitude…. I am the same breed… If someone says “you can’t” my answer is “You may want to take notes” .. If something is “impossible” that simply means its gonna take a little longer… EV and classic cars… you bet, all day long…
From what universe did you escape ? Are you going to put a tape player and amplifier under the hood to make it sound like a real car rather
than electric razor ????
You go ahead and microwave your hamburger, I’ll spend the time to enjoy grilling mine out in the back yard. OK?
As I asked earlier, from which alternate universe did you escape ??
I dont think it is a 66 the dash is definitely 65 i had 65 2+2 and that instrument cluster is definitely 65. The 66 had round instument s
This 66 Fastback is in pretty sad condition, and certainly not worth the bin price tag. I bought a 66 Fastback 5 yrs ago for less and about to pull the trigger and maybe sell here on BF. Freshly 289 rebuilt engine, 5 speed trans, 4 new disc brakes, and Vision wheels tires. It’s ready for new paint and interior.
The instrument panel, glove box door, dash pad and what’s left of the seat covers are 65. The visible door handle and the grill are 66. It makes me wonder what year the car really is.
Take a deeper look at that grill it looks like honecomb not staight slots like a 66
Well you have to respect the EV.
While the numbers don’t lie, it’s super impressive.
And as an added bonus with all those batteries, I can have a state of the art stereo System and pipe in the 8-71 blower whine, I can put the woofers by the rear bumper so when I go back to listen to the engine Idle, Oh wait , what about the smell of 100 octane low lead? I’m gonna have to pass, plus what about my carbon footprint, how much coal is needed or natural gas to convert to charge my batteries? What about all the cow farts? Is my 8-71 BBC more or less of a drain than the EV on resources?
Ok I’m done, as far as the rustang get the best body you can start with, While not original a new dynacorn with a new crate motor and new everything else probably better than a bunch of non NOS parts on a stitched together body with new everything else. Forgot the old vin and as lol that numbers mumbo.
I too want to build an ALH Prius, ok done
You don’t have to respect the EV. You can disrespect it all you want as you admire those polished taillights quietly getting smaller in your windshield. If you build a car because it sounds nice, that’s your prerogative. Like those that put a 2″ sidewall and 30″ rims on a 4WD lifted truck. Useless…. but that’s their business, and I don’t give them crap. Let them be, they are happy – even when a speedbump puts a dent in that $2k rim. So pipe your Detroit 8V71 blower noise through a dryer hose if you want. I’ll use those amps for more go-fast at the wheels.
Sound does not equal fast.
Fast equals fast.
I build cars to go fast, not to sound nice. Yet – they sound incredible nonetheless. Oh that jet engine sweet music noise of 400 amps under full acceleration….. You don’t know until you have experienced it. And it DOES cost me less and emit less carbon on one full battery charge (with equal range to your tank) than your full tank of petro. Guaranteed, every time. My full “tank” costs me about $15. The last time I was able to fill my gas tank for $15 was back in the late 80’s or so. Check the numbers. A 20 gallon fuel tank emits about 400 pounds of CO2 when burned (I know, right?). Check the chemistry if you think I’m mistaken. A full battery charge emits about 100 lbs CO2 if charged off a coal grid. Less if you use my N.E. grid which is 50% hydro – so about 50lbs of CO2. ZERO lbs if I use my solar panels. Check those numbers….. Most importantly, an EV drive train converts 85-90% of the energy you put into it into forward motion. Your gas engine only converts 17-20% into forward motion. A fact of physics. Check those numbers….. The rest goes out the exhaust and radiator as waste heat….. and…. NOISE. Yup. That sweet sound is the sound of LOSS. Check those numbers…. So you only get 20% out of that 400 pounds of CO2 you generated. I get 90% out of my 50lbs (if I use my grid). A cleaner, better deal. From a go fast standpoint, the EV gives you the most for your effort. Calling EV’s wasteful and illogical is an argument no one can win. Especially if you are recycling an old car and not making more CO2 from buying a newly minted one. You can hate ’em, but you cant beat ’em. I’ve nothing against petro engines. I own 4 of them now. I’ve built lots of them. A 383 stroker for my Nova. A bi-turbo 8V71 Detroit for my bus. A 300HP 2.0L turbo diesel for my 40mpg TDI (pre deiselgate). I don’t post negative sarcastic things about petro cars because they have their merits. A fill-up takes 5 min. My full charge takes 2 hours. So yeah – it’s give and take. Neither one is perfect. So rather than bust one one tech or another, I choose to engineer and test and improve. It’s why I play with hydrogen and fuel cell tech. Batteries are the EV weak point. So… let’s get rid of them and use something better to store energy. That is the human spirit, and the American way. It’s how we got to the Moon (literally), and it’s how we will get to Mars. We do these things because it trickles down and helps make the lives of every human on this planet a little bit better and easier. Remember that next time you pick up a cell phone or go in for an MRI. Truth.
Someone asked what universe I fell out of. The universe of common sense and rational, numbers based, proof-backed scientific evidence is where I hail from. I know, common sense is rare these days. But – this does make sense and it’s been proven. We just need to continue to improve and focus on the remaining weak points. That is my actual job. When I’m not at work, I’m grilling on my back deck like a boss with clean burning propane. My burgers are legendary – and I can back that claim up.
It would be great if people had a similar attitude about EV’s as I do about gas cars. Acknowledge their merits rather than rail on them. But, because you only get to see the rear view of an EV, it’s OK if people do rail, because results are sweet vindication enough.
Ok, done. Time for a burger – seasoned and perfectly seared. Then on to looking for that 65 convertible just begging for some 300 Volt upgrades.
Lithium batteries are not the way to go.The FRESH water used to strip mine lithium which is terrible for the environment is approx. 500,000 litres per ton. It has a strong possibility of entering poisons to the nearby aquafiers and eco systems.It is also thus contaminated. Lithium is a finite source.The car companies are jumping on the ev band wagon due to huge government subsidies offered them by this current administration.Hydrogen is the way to go in the future imo as it is infinite and next to zero in emmisions.Toyota in conjunction with Panasonic are also working on a solid state batteries that are much more eco friendly and give a much longer range according articles I’ve read.Toyota is also working with Yamaha on Hydrogen engine tech. I have no problem with ev’s but the cart was put in front of the horse with ev rollouts especially a lack of charging stations imo.New tech will emerge and make them dependable and affordable I’m sure but Lithium batteries ….nope.They’ll be littering the landscape big time in a poisonous way in the future.
EV Master, don’t expect any applause or congratulations on old school car sites like Bfs for wanting to do EV conversions on a first generation Mustang like this 66 Fastback. That Ain’t gonna happen, especially when you make statements like Mustangs had a powerglide transmission. That’s a GM setup and you obviously don’t know your basic mechanics.
Maggie, I agree with your comment completely. Also, the electrical fires caused by Tesla cars igniting recently have proven that one firetruck doesn’t have enough resources to extinguish a Telsa vehicle fire event. It takes like 4 trucks to completely extinguish such catstrophic fire events.
The firefighters use fire blankets and have to waste thousands of gallons of fresh water also that becomes poisonous to the environment.The batteries reignite after being put out. and lithium releases tremendous amounts of deadly toxins while burning for hours.There was a man who recently had a2019 EV Jaguar that almost burned his house down but he managed to get it out of the garage in time. Jaguar refused to take the car back to one of their examination warehouses due to the reignition of Lithium batteries.EV’s pollute more than extremely efficient ice cars of today cradle to grave and it’s been proven.Good night Irene on this topic.
Or Ford pu’s that haven’t even left the plant storage lots yet. Firemen don’t even attempt to put out bc it’s all such a new concept to them. So the fire goes from truck to truck. Or the one EV vehicle that starts the grass on fire at a fair I believe it was & burns down to the ground other’s vehicles in parking lot. And as for asking price of 16.5 on this one, where’s the rest of it for that price? Nope part it or crush it.