Like Rodney Dangerfield, the Mustang coupe, the non-fastback, gets little respect. The aftermarket actually sells a conversion kit that makes your coupe into the more popular Sportsroof body. Still, some people prefer them; the coupe is lighter and more structurally sound than a Sportsroof, making it popular in vintage racing. They are cheaper to buy, their trunk keeps your belonging out of site, and the more vertical rear window shades the hot sun. This 1965 Ford Mustang in Ronkonkoma, New York looks amazingly original, right down to the hub caps! The combination of a 289 cid V8 and three-speed would have been a modest upgrade over the base inline six-cylinder engine. Despite being parked since 2001, the little Ford’s engine turns and shows clean oil, according to the seller. The carb is stuck, though, and no attempt was made to start it. The listing here on eBay includes more pictures and details including descriptions of probable rust repairs. At least five bidders have elevated the value of this forgotten Ford beyond $750.
My friend Randy owns a nearly identical Mustang, a Wimbledon White ’65 coupe, 289, but with an automatic and a lighter interior. Randy’s car is also amazingly stock, down to the hub caps, some hoses, clamps, and paint. Expect some heartbreak when you investigate the rear window frames. The seller reports rust in numerous lower regions as well.
For a cruiser, the 289 gives you a satisfying V8 sound and enough power to feel snappy. The three-speed manual adds more fun to the mix. The pervasive surface rust suggests storage either outdoors or on a natural surface. Moisture gets trapped under the hood and goes to work on everything.
The interior looks great compared to many we’ve seen! The radio is either stock or uses the stock opening. I’m not sure I’d replace much here, though a thorough inspection is advised before throwing a party about it. Regardless of this car’s destiny –stock or modified, minimal or full restoration– let’s hope whoever buys it puts it on the road as soon as possible. Another two decades of neglect and outdoor storage and this one will waste away. How would you treat this little white coupe?
Mustangs like this present a problem. There must be thousands of similar vintage Mustangs, in similar condition, out there. My observations are that most are basic cars like this, and unfortunately most are not in very good shape. This one does look mostly original, but bringing it back to any reasonable condition will not be cheap or easy. And then, you still have a base white coupe (unless you go the restomod/modified route). Nothing wrong with that, but they just aren’t very valuable.
Best case is this is your daily cruiser while you’re museum piece sits in the garage. Shows classic cars in your blood, but drive it as it is, and spend money in the trailer queen.
I’m sure that there’s a lot more rot on this rustang than what is shown. If its cheap it might make a good start for someone starting out. If you cant stand the 3 speed , a 4 or 5 speed is a shoe in. Once you get the carpets up, you will see what you are up against. frame rails, cowl plenum etc. The rust around the rear window will be a handful. Might want to check it out and maybe make an offer. It is in Long Guy land, New Yawk, rust belt. Good luck. Stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Has the bench front seat, which is handy on date nights.
AM Radio looks correct and original. Upholstery looks solid. Headliner is shot.
I’m with CNC: get the car safe and fully functional, and just drive it.
The idea of a conversion kit truly makes me cringe. What sacrilege!
What kind of bid is on it?
As of my reading, it is at $3,050.00. If I were younger and had the place to work on it, I’d enter the bidding. But, alas, Dear Father Time has taken his toll.
So sick and tired of these “internet experts” refer to these cars as “rustangs” . Any car will rust if not properly cared for. Would own this “Rustangs” before I owned any bowtie product. At least Ford doesn’t build it’s cars with government welfare
Baahhhhhaaaaa
I’m not anti-Chevy but I completely agree with you on the term rustang. Same with early Explorers – Exploders. It may have been clever when the first person made up the name/term but once they hit public domain they got absolutely used to death.
Well, dave I wouldn’t call myself an internet expert but I guess you never witnessed first hand what any unibody car looks like after a couple winters in NY state. I have restored a few and its unbelievable where the rust is on these. And I’m a Ford guy. Anyone Naïve as you shouldn’t consider buying one of these. Leave the tough stuff to those who have struggled with rust all their lives.
Cheers and stay safe
GPC
I like the pretty basic mustangs from the first generation, because of their simplicity. Imagine if you had a very standard mustang without ordering a single option at all, just the car… such a very rare sight these days, huh? And when that kind of people who are proud of their low units of those guzzler monsters 420-something-V8’s come around, you can ask them how many first-gen six-cylinder three-speed mustangs he saw in his entire life. I mean, a truly original one, not those V8 clones. Those which survived more than 50-60 years without being modded or annihilated by speeders, will be very much appraised in the future.
Having restored a 66 Mustang convertible that has spent its whole life in New England and needed everything, the only way that I can see this Mustang being restored (not to concourse) to a safely drivable car is if someone could buy it for a couple of hundred dollars and then fix/restore it as a long term hobby. All the necessary parts are available and someone who likes to weld and has the other tools necessary, may be able to get it in reasonable shape, as a labor of love, in a few years for less than $10 K. NOBODY is going to get his money back restoring a car this bad, unless it is something special. What I would hate to see is another clapped out rusty Ford limping to the the local cruise night.
Duty is in the eye of the beholder
That bottom view looks like the back side of the carpet
The thing about the original mustangs is all the parts are available for them!! It would be a waste to scrap this car or use it for parts!! If bought right it could be done in the winter months and driven in the better weather without taking it off the road!! I’ve replaced wheel wells (in the back) along with frame rails and floors!! C.J. Pony parts has just about everything you need and with some welding skills it’s not to hard to do!!
Whats the big deal, rebuild the carb, get a couple old stop signs, some silicone caulk and a pair of tin snips and you are cruising around for $3500.
I’m pretty sure hats what I did with my first car , a 67 Falcon Futura 4 door .. except it was only $50.00 !
If only it was that easy. Obviously you have never actually fixed a really rusty Mustang.
I think Shlimidiling was just making a point with a time honored reference to the average guys way to fix rust when there werent floors available.or even if there were :)
3 speed baby.V8.l,,,,,,,,lets go to town and burn some rubbah…………….
Having frame on restored a 1965 Wimbledon White 1965 Mustang a few years ago, I can make the following observations:
As long as rust is not a big deal, this is about the easiest car you’ll ever restore. The only rust repair mine needed was over the rear wheel wells. Fixed that, did all the other body, mechanical, and interior work myself. Everything down sill plate screws are available, and no parts are overly expensive (again, assuming you do your own work).
I finished mine in about 3 months, and when it was time to sell it, made a decent profit. Mine was also a straight 6 and an automatic with manual steering and manual brakes. Believe it or not, there is a market for clean, simple, non-roid-raged Mustangs.