Some restoration projects take longer than others, and some will stall pretty early. That has been the fate with this 1965 Mustang 2+2. A previous owner dismantled the car back in 1989, but the project stalled almost immediately. The current owner has partially reassembled the vehicle, but he is now searching for a buyer willing to return this classic to its former glory. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on eBay. It is a vehicle that has ticked the right boxes for a few people because there have already been 71 bids submitted. This action has pushed the price along to $15,600 in a No Reserve auction.

When I see a stalled project like this Prairie Bronze Mustang, I often wonder what the story is behind it. Sometimes a project stalls because the owner loses interest, while other times, they might believe that they have bitten off more than they can choose. Sometimes circumstances in a person’s life mean that they are forced to abandon their vehicle, which is always a heartbreaking scenario. We can only speculate on this one, but the buyer looks like they will be landing themselves a car with plenty of potential. The current owner pieced the car back together after he purchased it but has never finished the job. This is probably a blessing for the buyer because they will have to at least partially dismantle the Fastback to address its issues. It should be no surprise to learn that there will be rust to tackle, but it’s not particularly bad for a Mustang of this vintage. Both lower rear quarter panels have been impacted, as have the trunk drop-offs. The rear floor on the passenger side will require some work, while the seller states that both the front and rear valances and the hood will need to be replaced. While some of it is no longer attached to the car, it appears that all of the trim is present, and most of it seems to be in good order.

The Mustang is a numbers-matching car that features a C-Code 289ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power drum brakes. The owner has checked, and the motor, transmission, and carburetor all carry the correct codes and tags for this car. The 289 would be producing 200hp, and while that won’t make this the most potent Mustang on the planet, it should still suit a buyer seeking a classic cruiser that is easy and civilized to live with. The engine was out of the car when the owner purchased it, but he has slotted it back into place. The engine wiring is sitting in the trunk, so the owner hot-wired the car to coax the V8 back into life. He says that it sounds healthy, but he hasn’t completed the installation. He has followed this path because he believes that the buyer will probably pull the engine again to achieve a high standard of presentation when restoring the vehicle. It will move under its own power, but there is only an e-brake to stop it.

When we open the doors and look around inside the Fastback, there is plenty to like. The interior is original and unmolested, and the trim is in acceptable condition for a driver-quality classic. If I were going to pick faults, the buyer would probably choose to replace the carpet. It looks faded and tired and distracts from the generally good condition of the rest of the interior. A new headliner should also go on the shopping list because the current one has a hole that is probably beyond repair. Before I considered adding anything else to the list, I would treat everything to a deep clean. There are no tears or splits on the seats, while the remaining interior trim, upholstery, and dash pad are in good condition for their age. The interior will not win any prizes at a show, but if the buyer is considering building a driver on a budget, they could replace the parts that I’ve mentioned and wind up with a car that would still receive favorable comments at a Cars & Coffee.

Regular readers will be aware that we see plenty of 1st Generation Mustang project cars here at Barn Finds and that many of those cars require significant rust repairs. This 1965 Fastback has rust, but it is neither extensive nor compromises the car’s structural integrity. If the buyer possesses some skills with a welder and grinder, they could potentially address the rust problems without being forced to hand significant money to a specialist. That is probably one of many reasons why this car has attracted so much attention. There’s probably a little way to go in the bidding war on this classic, so it will be interesting to see the final sale price.