If I have learned one lesson through decades of dealing with classic cars, it is that you should never judge a book by its cover. This 1965 Mustang is a Nevada barn find, and while it might look a bit crusty and dusty, it is a car that is about to spring a surprise or two. It would seem to represent a strong candidate as a project car, and it will be interesting to see whether we have any readers who would be willing to take this one on. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finders Rocco B and Ikey H because both managed to spot this beauty for us. The Mustang is located in Laughlin, Nevada, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. I suspect that potential buyers might have to act pretty fast because the $8,500 asking price does appear to be very competitive.

When it was new, the Mustang must have been quite a sight finished in Silver Smoke Gray with a Black vinyl top. You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that the vehicle has undergone a color change at some point in its life, and from a personal perspective, I don’t believe that the new color has done the car’s appearance any favors. Now, 55-years of exposure to the Nevada sun has taken a toll on the paint and vinyl, but for every negative, there has to be a positive. The positive news comes in the form of this being an essentially rust-free classic. The owner identifies a small spot of rust in the lower corner of the driver’s door, but I believe that this could be fixed using a simple patch. The rest of the usually prone areas, like the floors, frame rails, torque box, rockers, and rear quarter panels, are as solid as a rock. Even under that shredded vinyl, there is little more than some surface corrosion. The Mustang was ordered with tinted glass, and this remains present, and in good condition. All of the exterior chrome and trim also looks quite good, and I suspect that the majority of it would respond well to some work with a high-quality polish and a bit of elbow grease. So on the surface, this is a promising looking project.

The backstory of this Mustang revolves around a couple who went to their local Ford dealer to take a look at a Mustang GT Fastback. They loved the way it was equipped, but due to personal taste, they weren’t that thrilled with the vehicle’s styling. They discussed this fact with the dealer and eventually chose to order a Coupe with a few select options fitted. One of these was an A-Code 289ci V8, producing 225hp. The couple also decided to tick the boxes beside the 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. This would have made it a lively little performer, with the vehicle seeing regular use until it eventually succumbed to a mechanical malady in 1984. It isn’t clear what this issue was, but we might get some clues when we read through the seller’s description. The Mustang remained locked away for around 35-years, and when it emerged into the light of day, the new owner commenced the resuscitation process. This entailed flushing and cleaning the fuel system, adding a new set of plugs, plug wires, fuel pump, water pump, and fresh fluids throughout the drivetrain. The little 289 kicked back into life, and while it runs, the owner does reveal that there is a misfire. Given all of the items that have been changed during the car’s revival, his analysis that it could be a stuck valve does sound feasible, and this misfire might be the reason why the Mustang was parked in the first place. These Ford V8s are a hardy breed, so it might not take a lot of work to have it purring once again. Even if the engine has to be pulled and rebuilt, it should be well worth the effort. The vehicle does run and drive, but the owner states that it shouldn’t be considered to be roadworthy. However, the transmission shifts okay, and the power steering works with no issues or funny noises.

The pleasant surprises continue when we open the doors and take a look around the inside of this classic. It would be fair to expect that the same sun that has baked the top would have done some wicked damage inside the vehicle. It really isn’t that bad. The top of the rear seat is faded, the carpet is the same, while the dash pad is cracked. That is the only damage that I would be prepared to attribute to UV rays because the rest is simple wear-and-tear that is all part of regular usage. The front seat covers are split in a few places, and the wheel is cracked. However, the door trims, the dash, and the console, all look quite good. Once again, whipping this area of the Mustang into shape shouldn’t be particularly complicated. As was the case from a mechanical perspective, the original owners continued to wield their pen on the interior options list when they ordered this car. In addition to the center console, they chose to fit air conditioning, Deluxe front and rear seatbelts, padded sunvisors, and a pushbutton AM radio. All of this equipment remains intact, and there have been no aftermarket additions made to the interior.

We tend to see plenty of 1st Generation Mustang project cars coming across our desks here at Barn Finds, and their condition can range from the solid and clean through to vehicles that are teetering on the edge of the crusher. This particular car looks like a real beauty, and for the person who is looking for a nicely-equipped project car that they can restore in their own workshop, this has to be a strong contender. Solid examples sell very quickly, and as well as being so free of rust, the factory options lead me to believe that this is a classic that won’t remain on the market for very long.