The seller refers to this Ford Mustang Fastback as a 1964 ½ model built early in the ’64 calendar year. But most sources indicate the fastback didn’t arrive until the Fall of 1964. However, it may not matter as all Mustangs built in 1964 and 1965 until the Fall were titled 1965 models. This fastback is a one-owner car being offered as part of an estate. The interior is good, the body a bit rough, and it will run and drive around the parking lot. Located near Somerset, Massachusetts, this love-lorn pony car is available here on Craigslist for $24,000.
This Mustang would be a more desirable project if there were a 289 cubic inch V8 under the hood. But it has the more basic 200 inline-6, which was probably a 120 hp engine at best when new. It’s paired with an automatic transmission and would likely deliver 20-25 mpg (that’s what my ’66 did back in the day). According to the seller, this Mustang is original with aging Wimbledon White paint and a good red interior (except for the carpeting). From the license plate, this Ford was last on the road in 1976.
Though the car sports a certain degree of patina, the sheet metal has enough damage (dents and dings) to warrant a cosmetic restoration. And there’s likely some rust brewing here and there. But it’s still going to be a six-cylinder auto if you opt to stay stock. We assume some tinkering was needed to get it running again, and it will do circles in the parking lot, but the brakes need work, and the fuel system is ailing as the car only runs off an external can.
At the moment, the Mustang sits on old-school slotted mags, but the seller says regular wheels with new tires and the original wheel covers will go with the car. In restoring the Ford, what would you do, stick with what’s under the hood or go for a restomod? They’re only original once.
Not a bad project for a good bodyman.Needs some love
I am a strong believer in keeping it original. Decent bones here. I wish I still had my ‘65 that I drove back in high school.
This would go coyote for me and make a fun cruiser. This involves new rearend axle,front in upgrade, brake system and possibly silver blue metallic paint. The interior will need redone from sitting and an AC system tied to new wiring.
Good luck on sale…
A freshened 120 pony to 3 to 4 times horses 🐎
Likely some rust brewing here and there? That left fender has a hole big enough to throw a cat through. But agreed, it wouldn’t take much to fix if the under carriage is solid. That interior, nice. But at that price it would pay to keep the six. A Coyote swap would be cool but now you’re talking major bucks.
If I had that and needed to sell I would reach out to Dennis Collins and see if he would buy it at that asking price, I haven’t followed these enough to know its actual value.
In the photo of the hood up……..
Is that an I.V. hanging up ?
John that IV likely contains Metronidazole. Used to treat the tetanus the next owner will no doubt contract from the massive amounts of rust on this car…..
best,
bt
Lol, figuratively, yes! Literally, I think it’s the fuel “external can.”
The rust is readily apparent in this one, in all the wrong places. The more one looks, the more one will find. The underside will probably be the most telling of all, considering the amount of rust in the trunk area. The slots look ridiculous, especially knowing there is an I6 involved. The A-pillar makes me shudder to think what lurks behind and adjacent to, and where is the Mustang fuel cap? Obvious overspray says the paint is not original, not like that would be a plus with this Rustang anyway.
Don’t forget the mold on the carpets! The floors probably look like a Planetarium. Back when the world was sane, this was a $2400 car.
Like the I6, hate the automatic. That being said, I would either 1) replace C4 with a period correct 4-speed, 2) drop in a 289 4V with a few period correct performance enhancers and get rid of the 4 lug crap, or 3) go all out GT350 clone with an exacting eye for period correct detail. What I would NOT do is pay what the seller is asking for it. No way. The absolute highest I would go is $8k to a possible $10k. I have a strong feeling there are many more ‘issues’ here than meets the eye.
I don’t think that’s a 64.5 unless it’s been wrecked in the front somewhere along the way. There’s a small curve on either side of the hood at the front next to the headlight extension that follows a curve on it. On the 64.5 there is an edge that isn’t rolled and a little 1/8-3/16″ flange points down, the 65 is different. The top of the headlamp extension adjacent to the curve has a corresponding bevel to it. The one picture where you can see this area with the hood open the extension is flat. A 65 ohood on a 64.5 works but not vice versa. Trying to bump up the value. If this is 24k I have gone to put my A-code 65 back together
The date code is 16B on the door tag. According to the Mustang 1964 1/2 – 1973 Restoration Guide, that’s the 16th day of January 1965.
From the book: “Confusion often clouds the data codes of the 1965 1/2 Mustangs. At the outset of Mustang production, in March 1964, the codes began with C, D, E and so on. In January and February 1965, the letters A and B were used, but were followed by Q for March, and the remaining second-year codes through August (V)”
Looking up some date codes online I see sources that say the ’65 Mustangs fully followed the 2nd year production codes, which would have been “N” for January and “P” for February. This probably mislead the seller. But it would be a shocking discovery of a Mustang made in January 1964, and especially a 2+2.
Attractive prospect, but way overpriced. It’s going to be at least 20k just to clean it up and make it a nice driver.
Russ Dixon, you said estate sale? Deceased must have had some bills. But for $24,000 this deceased Rustang classic, imho, is way overpriced. However, GLWTS!
With those that think it’s on the high side and from one of the Rustang sellers featured here a few times.
Has potential if it sells at a reasonable price. Nice enough rims on it but… any upgrade should include a change to 5 lug wheels. Aside from the cosmetics and wheel availability, the 5 lug wheels would enable you to upgrade the brakes as well. I had a 4 lug Falcon and I thought I’d put some Fox platform wheels on it. They wouldn’t fit. Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy, treat er nice.
This 64 1/2 crap is BS. People throw around 64 1/2 like it’s something special…. It’s NOT! … The so called Real 64 1/2 units had a Generator…. You can clearly see a Alt. on this one… It’s a ’65