There are stories of several attempts in 1965-66 to get Ford to build a station wagon version of their popular new Mustang. And even private parties built one prototype. But none of those efforts went anywhere although homemade versions will turn up from time to time. This is one of them, a ’65 Mustang that has been converted into a panel delivery vehicle. It appears to be a running example that may need interior work more than anything else. Located in San Diego, California, this one-of-a-kind is available here on craigslist for $9,500.
One of the stories of a Mustang station wagon started with an executive at Ford’s advertising agency. He partnered with a designer and another car enthusiast and they sent a new ’65 Mustang to Italy to have the body transformed by Construzione Automobili Intermeccanica. After about a year, the finished product was shipped back to the U.S. and may have been presented to Ford management who rejected the idea (along with others we’re told they may have seen). So, the project didn’t go any further and the whereabouts of this unofficial prototype are unknown more than 55 years later.
That didn’t stop do-it-yourselfers from making their own Mustang wagons and this sedan delivery version is no doubt one of them. We don’t know when the conversion may have taken place, but the body looks pretty solid and not done by amateurs. The vehicle is painted flat black (or black primer, take your pick) with decals adorning the hood to set it off. There are no apparent or mentioned issues involving the body, such as rust, and the glass appears all good.
Under the hood is a high-performance V8, in the seller’s words, which likely makes it a 289 cubic inch V8. Whether this engine is original to the car is unknown and the seller implies it runs. Shelby headers have been added along with electronic ignition, aluminum intake manifold, and valve covers that say “Cobra” on them. The dual exhaust goes out the panel below the rear bumper and the taillights may be the full-width variety like those found on Thunderbirds in the mid-1960s. It would be especially cool if this wagon had a 4-speed manual, but it has an automatic.
If you owned this one-off, what would you do with it? The interior needs work as the aftermarket seat covers scream of bad upholstery and the carpeting is shot. We don’t know if the back seat is still there or what the cargo compartment looks like. If you’ve ever wanted to own a Mustang station wagon, could this be the one to have?
I think Harold (“Harold and Maude”) did this one.
They made a hearse out of an old Jaguar
This isn’t a station wagon but a sedan delivery! All it needs is a business name stenciled on the sides!
How about “Sanford and Son” stenciled on the doors?
This reminds me of the Corvette station wagons that I thought were cool when I was a kid. Maybe because we always had a wagon for camping and towing the boat. As an adult I wonder what they were smoking. To each their own, I guess.
Looks fairly well done. Needs a lot of help, but will get a ton of attention when done.
Boy did they wreck that:-)
Nice concept, and looks like quality work. Too bad it is not really finished, but that is just an opportunity for the next owner to finish it to their liking. I appreciate the creativity. There are enough restored Mustangs out there, I would not worry about losing one to a greater vision.
I think its very cool and would be fun to add some period signage and clean up the interior..great surfmobile that you might even by able to overnight in.Looks like someone did a nice job..I’d like to see the inside of the back.
Nice I like it.
Not an expert, but most of the components indicate a GT, the side windows are from a fastback, and if it is a genuine K code, hi-po 289, someone is crying in their milk over what this car would have been worth, unmodified. Still, the work appears exceptionally well done (except the hokie LED taillight panel) so would definitely be worth “restoring”. Guesses on the top – 1966 Falcon, Fairlane?
Not all that bad for the price, a nice paint job would help.
Deja-vu all over again:
https://barnfinds.com/1966-ford-mustang-station-wagon/
“Deja-vu all over again” From October 2020
https://barnfinds.com/1966-ford-mustang-station-wagon/
I would like to see how (if?) the back opens at all. Looks like a little trunk lid under the glass, maybe? Would be cool if the whole “trunk” piece and rear glass all opened as a single piece for easy loading.
Kind of defeats the whole purpose of a mustang, no?
It’s different, it’s cool . Get rid of th tail light and put in a set of factory tail lights . I’d pull the motor and trans and put in a coyote motor and new transmission. Update the interior and a killer paint job . Tons of possibilities . And large bank account
Here’s what I would do…Shelby started building Cobras and Mustangs in Venice Ca and, if he had a parts delivery vehicle, it might have been just like this. I think it would be cool to put Ol’ Shel’s logo and Venice address on this…love to hear thoughts. I put “Speedwell” logos on my 66 VW single cab after my local speed shop in London(where SPEedwell was our local phone #) that sold the first EMPI VW Parts…same thinking..its what they would have had..if they had it ( instead they delivered parts in a Beetle).They also had great hop up parts for BMC cars..and Graham Hill managed the place before winning the Formula 1 Championship!!!
Kind of a neat car, but the straight on rear view hurt my eyes. It would be nice to see some shots of the interior where the new roof was attached.
The person who built this certainly had taste…..BAD TASTE.
More junky fitting “modern” seat covers. The new owner should ask for the receipt to return them to the auto parts store. Hope not from Pep Boys – they are phasing out parts after what, 100 years?! – will only have repair service & tires.
I’ll avoid that type steering wheel cover too & stick with a warm-in-winter dollar tree one. lol
looks like a roll bar, behind drivers seat!
Is the rear window another Mustang windshield?
It needs the little moon window in the back like the pinto delivery wagon. If you’re old enough to remember it, the 70’s ruled.