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One Owner Barn Find: 1965 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Up for sale by the original owner is this 1965 Ford Mustang GT convertible. At the time of writing, there have been no bids. You can start that process with a bid of $3,500 and no indicated reserve. This barn find condition car is currently found in Burlington, Wisconsin. It does have a VIN listed, along with 100,030 miles and the title is claimed to be clear. Thank you, Patrick S, for the tip. You can view more on eBay.

1965 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

This GT is simply that, a plain Ford Mustang GT which means it will have a 289 cubic inch, 4.7 liter, V8. As you can see in the photos, it is in rough condition and the listing does not indicate when the last time it ran. The transmission is the original 3-speed manual because the seller, who bought the car new, did not have the additional funds to pay for the 4-speed. The seller is clear to designate this is not a Shelby Mustang.

1965 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Noted about the interior is that it is equipped with a GT Rally-Pac tachometer that is mounted on the steering column. The car should have GT designated gauges as well, including a clock, along with the speedometer, fuel, engine temperature, and oil pressure gauges. Beyond that, being a convertible, the rest of the interior is as expected from such a car. It is dirty, rusty, and in very poor condition.

1965 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

There is a lot of history to this car provided by the seller. It is being sold by the son of the original owner and you can see one of them sitting in the car in one of the photos. While they might have loved and appreciated the car at one time, it is far beyond their ability to repair in this stage of life. They indicate that there are parts suitable for other Mustangs if you are looking to part it out. At least you have options.

Comments

  1. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Being from Wisconsin I recognize the guy behind the wheel. Go about anywhere here and you will see a happy guy like this. I bet he has a bottle of beer in there with him. It seems like an honest ad and hard to believe no bids yet, I know, Wisco rust and all. Well optioned car though. Best of luck to buyer and seller.

    Like 14
    • Avatar On and On Member

      The original Wisconsin ‘rolling chassis’ ………………who needs a stinkin hood, who needs a stinkin top, Holes in the floor?, who needs a stinkin out-house. We’ve got beer.That’s all we need to have some good clean fun. You rock Mikey…………Party on…..P.S……love the GT dash with the extra gauges……..

      Like 12
      • Avatar Grandpa Lou

        Drunk driving is never something we should “lighten up” about. I had a very good friend get killed by a drunkard in Wisconsin last year, she was 54 years old, and her 20 year old daughter was with her. She was home from college and they decided to do some shopping, it was one in the afternoon on a weekday. Hit head on going around a corner by a chronic drunk driver (had 7 prior DUIs and no license to drive) Unfortunately he didn’t die, but my friend did, her daughter was badly hurt and trapped in the car with her dead mother. She had to call 911 from her cell phone while seeing what would be the last memory of her Mom. Wisconsin has a tavern league that is so strong it buys off so many corrupt politicians in Madison, that they have the weakest drunk driving laws in the country. Your drunkards are the bread and butter for the little bars that are everywhere in the state, responsible drinkers do not pay the bills. Making tough laws that would solve the problem, would drive most bars out of business, so the laws are too lax. We need to make the first DUI a few months in jail and a 25K fine, the second, at least ten years in prison, the third, you are in prison for life that would stop the problem, but not in Wisconsin. If you live somewhere else, you are lucky and safer. My friend is still dead, and I am beyond angry about it, so please, do not make jokes about drinking and driving, it is never funny.

        Like 8
    • Avatar Grandpa Lou

      The beer is probably why the car ended up like this. Wisconsin has about the highest rates of alcoholism and drunk drivers. It really isn’t a laughing matter.

      Like 12
      • Avatar On and On Member

        Lighten up Gramps, It’s a joke. I’m sure we’re all old enough to have seen and experienced the serious side of life.

        Like 19
      • Avatar Midwest Jeff

        Tis true. Had a friend who spent a month and a half in the Door County correctional center for a DUI. He said that majority of the guys in the correctional center were incarcerated for the same offense.

        On the other hand, to lighten the mood, he said that the inmate motto was, “Wisconsin: Come for Vacation….Leave on Probation.”

        Like 13
  2. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    I though it was Yogi Berra for a second.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar matthew B steele

    Get it running, throw an old stop sign on the floor..who needs hood or trunk lid I’d pay $100 dollars

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Blueprint

    Not a Shelby but an ol’e shell alright

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Craig

    There is a picture of the license plate which I zoomed in on and I believe the plate sticker says 1976, will assume it “ran when parked”

    Like 4
    • Avatar Marshall

      Not so fast! Maybe not (perhaps it threw a rod or something)

      Like 0
      • Avatar Marshall

        Never mind! (“Not so fast“ to myself as the owner said he drove the car into the barn in 1980 and started it up once in a while). Nevertheless, he said he was the original owner. But the title shown in the photographs (24/24) shows that the title was issued in 1973, not 1965.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Little_Cars

        I saw that title and thought the same thing, but maybe it was a reissued title or something to do with the owner moving somewhere else in the state? Does seem odd there isn’t any photographic evidence to attach the now 70+ year old owner to the car’s first, say, ten years of existence. Note the tow receiver…this car was rode hard if it pulled a trailer with a non-synchro 3 speed over 100k miles.

        Like 0
  6. Avatar art

    Um, yeah, parts…sure.
    Love the toilet/sink angle stop screwed into the manifold…that’s a gem.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Little_Cars

      @ art That is what we got from the factory on Sprites and Midgets all the way through 1980. Had to open the hood to turn the faucet on in order to get heat for the cabin. Actually pretty effective but a total pain in the arse compared anything else made in those years.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    the only thing I see that’s any good is the 8000 rpm rally pac, and the GT fog light grille bar. All of these things can be bought aftermarket. One of the worst rustangs I have ever seen. Not saying its not fixable, but geez Louise. Goood luck to the new owner. 3500 seems high. So is the guy selling it!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 13
    • Avatar Arthell64

      No doubt It can be restored but it is worth restoring?Personally not to me. If someone gave you this car they wouldn’t be doing you any favors. With the cost of restorations today you better pick wisely what car you choose.

      Like 8
  8. Avatar Jeff

    The Cheese Castle is right down the street from Burlington, maybe they will toss in some curds to go along with the Spotted Cow!

    Like 8
  9. Avatar Mike W H

    This guy is the original owner? Sorry dude, you can’t borrow my car.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar CCFisher

    Everything needed to bring this one back to life is just a click away. Well, many, many clicks, but the point is it’s all out there, and it’s all relatively cheap, too. Replacement procedures are well-documented, and experienced advice is easy to come by. This project is not nearly as difficult or costly as it appears to be.

    Like 6
  11. Avatar Classic Steel

    The cheapest car to restore out there as repro parts are cheap.
    Put new full floor pan , fenders in and rebuild engine and bury weekend at Bernie corpse. 🥺
    Kidding as he looks freakin happy 😃

    I am a mustang guy 😊and have restored
    worse 👍👀. If one has free time then this is a good project car.
    When quarter skins snd fenders run about s 100 bucks compared to mopar or other 1200 per piece cars then your in the cheap and done fast. Theres not can i save this piece and just chuck it for scrap.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Paul

      It sure was a beautiful car at one time! Having restored these as well…this one is not worth the cost to bring it back unless it had some sort of family nostalgia …these cars bring much less money then comparable Camaro convertibles that are even easier to restore then mustangs (I have both) you can easily find a mustang with a much better staring point to save time, money and headache. After sand blasting or acid dipping this car to remove the rust it would disappear to nothing.

      Like 4
  12. Avatar Arby

    Surprised he didn’t hit the ground when he posed for the pic.

    Like 6
  13. Avatar Old guy

    My favorite mustang when I was a kid, red gt convertible…..but like so many childhood dreams…..

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Little_Cars

    SMH. ??? The original owner sounds like somewhat of a schmuck for opting out of 4 forward gears when buying his new GT convert? That thing was a bit of a unicorn when new and may have been un-sellable by the dealer without him walking in and asking for three speed. Considering the condition now he has not been a very good caretaker for the better part of that car’s life. Shameful. That was once a sharp car…red with white top. Love the gauge cluster.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      Another sufferer of Barn Find-Itis chimes in. Maybe the buyer preferred the three-speed and maybe he can do whatever the heck he wants with his car, and maybe you are the schmuck.

      Like 6
      • Avatar Little_Cars

        Guess I deserve that Ike….any time I use the word schmuck I get push back so I better watch that. To be fair Ike the write up mentioned he didn’t have the extra $$ for 4. Mea culpa. But, ya gotta admit if this car was in stock most of us would zero in on the ones with a four speed manual.

        Like 6
      • Avatar Ike Onick

        And I was over the top on my reply! Sorry. Party on Garth!!! We can have the ‘Stang towed to Milwaukee to catch Alice Cooper.

        Like 7
    • Avatar Healeymonster

      Im not positive about the v8 cars, but the 3 speed is a non synchro. At least my old 200/6 was. What a pain to drive!

      Like 1
  15. Avatar Ike Onick

    Best Barn Finds photo of all time. I’m hoping there was a lot of beer and bratwurst involved AND one of his buds actually took him for a tow. Now that is a fine way to spend some quality time on a Saturday afternoon. UFF DA!

    Like 6
  16. Avatar Chris M.

    Wow old man, you’re a ray of sunshine. Guess your the latest antagonist to surface on this site. Or maybe the same old fart who’s been here all along.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      You should re-calibrate that comment Sonny. You are casting a pretty wide net here when you use the terms “old man” and/or “old fart” in a post.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Chris M.

        I wasn’t referring to you, I apologize Ike. My net was intended for “Grandpa Lou” further up stream on the comments.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Ike Onick

        And I should have pushed the “IKE ONICK SARCASM” light. I’m batting a 1,000 on this thread for snarky responses.Time for my nap!!

        Like 1
  17. Avatar steve

    Sad to see that car in that shape. I can’t imagine it will sell. His ebay ad states he was offered $5000 for the title and VIN …. he’s gonna wish he’d taken that offer. Car is pretty much scrap now.

    Like 4
    • Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

      Offered $5k for the title and the VIN? That’s sounds like a load of bullsh*t to me. For $5k you can get a title and a VIN attached to a restorable convertible. There are a lot of restorable Mustangs out there for under $5,000 and I’d bet just about all of them are in better shape than this one. Parts car at best. And for a lot less.

      Like 0
  18. Avatar Poppy

    Holy Mildew, Batman!

    (that was before I saw all the rust…)

    Like 2
  19. Avatar Schmelding Jr. III Member

    Geeez…is he sure he didn’t store it in his pond my mistake? looks worse than if it outside. I don’t understand how they get like this and I live in the northeast.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Steve

    I wonder what the intended purpose is for the plumbing fixture up from the thermostat housing? Engine flush? The 8k tach is interesting and rare. I thought those were found on K cars only. Others got 6k.
    Anyway was a neat, sharp car once would obviously take plenty of time, money and patience to restore it. The biggest trick would making sure the body is true straight when rebuilding .
    Steve

    Like 1
  21. Avatar Stevieg

    I doubt the seller intended for the car to end up like this. It really can’t be helped here in south east Wisconsin.
    Picture this…guy walks into the local ford store wanting a Mustang convertible. He prefers the look of the GT. He can only afford one with the 3 speed transmission (I can’t believe the monthly payment is that much higher for a 4 speed, but whatever lol). So he takes this car gome.
    If he can’t afford the upgraded transmission, he probably can’t afford winter storage or a winter beater. This is now year ’round transportation. Rain, snow, slush, salt on the roads, sand also for when you get stuck in a snow drift, maybe a dinghy or two in a parking lot. 10 years later, the car is paid off but now it is a beater. It keeps getting driven all year long. Another 9 years roll by & the guy absolutely loves his Mustang (by now a rustang). He buys another car & puts his faithful red companion in storage for a “some day” fix-up. But life happens, kids get raised, Bill’s get paid, maybe a health ailment here or there. Then the owner dies. Now the son is selling the car that he has known since birth.
    To us gear heads, we might see either a parts car or a project. To the owner it is sentimental.
    Is it worth anything? Not to me! I remember seeing cars like this being driven (with a hood, not on skates lol). They were rough, but on the road. My parents drove beaters like this, sometimes worse. You can still catch rotted out cars like this on the road. This is why I am planning a move to Arizona.
    Was at one time a neat car. Now? I wouldn’t want it.

    Like 3
  22. Avatar Stevieg

    Also, in Wisconsin, every time you get a DUI your legal b.a.c gets lowered. Have 2 DUI’s & you legal b.a.c. gets cut in half. After a third it is .02. After a 4th, zero tolerance. Statistics show that we have a lot of people locked up for drunk driving. The laws are written to arrest people, even if they are not drunk.
    Every state out there, except Wisconsin, after a certain amount of time (between 5 & 10 years, depending on the state) will start treating subsequent charges as a first offense, as long as no other offenses occur in the interim. I just got popped with a felony dui earlier this summer, even though it has been over 12 years since my last. Any other state, it would have been a misdemeanor if I had been drunk. I blew .05. Any other state, I would have been considered sober.
    I have a good attorney & will be going to my next hearing in November. That hearing is for a dismissal motion filed by my attorney. According to the dash camera, the arresting officer had no reason to pull me over. Wish me luck!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Midwest Jeff

      I did not know about the cumulative DUI law in Wisconsin. I don’t think that really mattered about my friend who went to jail, because his BAC was high enough to make him a slugger in the MLB.

      I wanted to get him an orange jail jumpsuit Halloween costume for him, and customize it with his “batting average” and “Property of Door County.” He didn’t think that was funny at all.

      Good luck with your court battle.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Grandpa Lou

      I have no empathy for you at all, how dare you drive drunk! Unlike speeding on a deserted country road where you can only hurt yourself, you risk all around you when driving plastered. Common sense says you have even one drink, you do not drive, how hard is that to figure out? Esp. if you knew you had a lower tolerance for the law. That is why we need long time frames behind bars so people do not have the choice to put us all in danger. You are right about one thing, the laws in WI aim to make money for the state, not solve the problem. In my scenario, your number two conviction would nab you ten years in prison without the possibility of parole. Perhaps then you would think twice about any booze and a car. I hope you see jail time, but I bet it is just a fine, and in the end, you will do it again, I just hope I am no where near you when you do.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Stevieg

        Again, Grampa Lou, I only blew .05. That is BELOW the .08 law that applies to everyone else. I am not sure what part of that you are not understanding. Please get off my case. Any other state and I would NOT have even been charged, let alone looking at serving years in prison.
        Tell ya what, don’t read my posts & I won’t read yours. You appear to be an argumentative, bitter man. I believe it is best you & I not communicate.

        Like 4
  23. Avatar James Fabry

    3.500 for a piece of scrap take it to the graveyard you might get 300.00 for it.

    Like 2
  24. Avatar TimM

    Great restoration project at this price!! Just about any part you want is available!! It sure looks like your going to need them too!!! Small block and 4 speed with a drop top!! Lots of fun in about 2-5 years!!!

    Like 1
  25. Avatar James Fabry

    You got to be nuts TimM prodject no but I guess if you have 60.000 and 6 yrs to trow away you buy it and show it when you get done with it lol smh. Always some rich guy telling you he’d buy it.

    Like 0
  26. Avatar James Fabry

    Thanks fordguy1972 that’s a barn find or he just pulled that ting out of the fielderly somewhere I think he should take the first 500.00 and run and I like how he has a smile on his face you know he’s thinking ( there’s a sucker out there). Hahahaha

    Like 1
  27. Avatar Stevieg

    Thank you for the sentiment Jeff. I think the costume is very funny myself. I once went as a breathalyzer lol. I worked @ a bar/restaurant and was on work release for a dui. That was MANY years ago!

    Like 0
  28. Avatar Stevieg

    Grandpa Lou, I am sorry for your loss. However, in any other state I would not be facing a felony charge & prison time for blowing as low as I did.
    I agree, we are too lenient for a first offense here. But if you had your way, I would be executed when I wasn’t even drunk. There has to be more strict punishment for first offenses, but it has been 12 years since my last one & if the charges don’t get dropped, I am off to prison. Again, my b.a.c. was .05. The law in most states, including Wisconsin, is .08, except in Wisconsin it goes down every time you get a new case.
    If another guy who posted a response in this thread can joke about a jailbird Halloween costume, I can joke about dressing as a breathalyzer. I don’t mean to offend anyone. I have read your replies & you seem to be all over anyone you don’t agree with.
    Please, let’s keep this website enjoyable for everyone, including both you & I. Again, I truly am sorry for your loss, and I really don’t mean to offend anyone.
    I highly doubt all of the beer in Wisconsin made this Mustang rust out as it did. You can blame the beer lol, but I am confident it is our horrible weather & road salt that made it rust out.

    Like 5
    • Avatar JBP

      0,5, thats Nothing.. wish u good luck….
      and everybody ells, mind ur own buisness..

      Like 2
  29. Avatar JimmyJ

    Stevieg I wish u luck .05 is nothing that’s not irresponsible at all it’s a bs call!

    Like 2
  30. Avatar Stevieg

    Thank you JBP & JimmyJ. I appreciate your support & sentiments.

    Like 0
  31. Avatar Mikey8

    My dad drove it into the barn years ago.
    Oh My, what a surprise, look what’s in the barn A mustang. I wonder how it got there. This is a true barn fine. What a joke.

    What they have is a very rusty Mustang. It could be fixed put in a lot of work involved in all the rust in that thing

    Like 0
  32. Avatar Bob McK

    We are all giving this guy crap for not taking care of this car, but when he drove it, it was just transportation and had very little value. At least he put it away instead of crushing it when he stopped driving it.
    But I agree, he can’t borrow one of my cars either.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      I may not lend him a car, but I am inviting him to my next party!

      Like 1

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