The Ford Mustang was the sales phenom of the 1960s. From the Spring of 1964 through the end of the 1966 model year, nearly 1.3 million copies left the assembly line. Early examples are considered by many to be “1964 ½” models, but all Mustangs built before the 1966s came along were titled 1965 editions. The seller’s Ford is said to be a one-owner “pony” with a scant 23,000 miles. If that’s true, the car hasn’t seen a lot of action in its 60 years.
Examples built in the early months of 1964 had a 260 cubic inch V8 when so ordered and had a generator rather than an alternator. A few months into the run, the 289 was introduced over the 260, and the alternator was in and the generator out. The seller’s Mustang had a list price of about $3,000 new and – besides the 289 4-barrel – was ordered with a 4-speed manual transmission. That was the sportiest combination offered before 1967.
The seller’s photos are not the greatest, but there’s enough to show some issues with the Prairie Bronze paint. There are chips and scrapes and some rust (maybe more) trying to brew. Although stated as a one-owner car, its appearance on a trailer suggests it was purchased from said owner as a project or for resale. We’re told there have been some “old school” performance upgrades, but we don’t know what they are or when they were done.
An air conditioner hangs under the dash, which was typical of all earlier Mustangs – even those from the factory. The seller doesn’t know if it works, probably because you can only get the engine to run by feeding gas to the carburetor from a bottle (the fuel delivery system will need to be cleaned out). The seller may do some work on the car, and if it becomes drivable, the price of $12,000 will go up. Located in Middleburg, Florida, this Mustang is available here on Facebook Marketplace.
Only 23k miles? in a car almost 60 yrs. old? Hell no! Given its age, I would think it’d be 123k miles or more.
I’ve seen better examples for less money but always six cyl models
Oh, look! Another Mustang! Yippee!
The most interesting thing to me about this car is the window sticker. It confirms it is a 289 4V with a 4-speed manual. So whoever ordered the car was looking for performance. The transmission was a $188 option (almost $1900 in today’s dollars). Meanwhile the padded visors cost $5.70, the “closed emission system” $5.30, and the backup lights $10.70. If backup lights were an option on a new vehicle today, would you pay $107 to have them?
The people driving today seem to not even know what a turn signal is, or where it’s located. I doubt back up lights would ever be checked as an option.
Since most cars come equipped with a backup camera these days, probably don’t need backup lights. And to respond to Big C, you’re right. Here in the Orlando are, it’s rare to ever see a turn signal used or headlights on in the rain (it IS a Florida law, though)
I was about to get out of the Air Force in ’64 when a powder blue Mustang showed up in the Dover, Delaware Ford showroom. It was the 6 cylinder with a 3 speed stick, the price? $2541! I finally went to Lucas Ford in Burlington, NJ in September to have my ’57 Ford Fairlane 500 2 door hardtop worked on and they had a Mustang for the same price. I couldn’t afford the payments and ended up with a ’64 Falcon 2 door that was listed at $2160 after gettin $300 for my ’57 trade in. Payment was $59 a month, which was a little easier on my wallet since I was making $1.99 @ hour on my 1st job after my discharge. Life was simpler back then….
roughly 30 hrs of work for a car payment
Yeah…before taxes.
I agree that life was much simpler then. Just the opposite of you, after arriving at my first duty station in 1973 (SAC HQ.), I hit up the SAC credit union for a car loan. The custom van thing was just starting in California (where I was from), so I bought a brand new bright yellow Dodge panel van for $3,200.00. You should have seen the look on the Omaha dealer’s face when I said that I wanted to fully carpet the interior and add fat tires, mags and a killer stereo. He said that only tradespeople bought them. I got stopped a lot, mostly so the Security Police could check it out. The payments were $98.00/month, with the final payment due just before I was discharged. Thanks for your service.
Actually, buying a car back then would be a lot more difficult than today – what with 15 or more exterior colors to choose from, 5 or more interior colors, 60 or more separate distinct options!, & a bewildering # of models & body styles to choose from. With 4 or 5 grand in my pocket, in 1970, i would not know which car maker dealer to go to 1st – & it sure as hell would not be an import one!
& i would treat the stylish AMC models as equals to the big 3.
It would be so exciting to go to any american car dealer back then.
These days, i’d rather go to a tavern or library than any car dealer.
“Price is going up”……never buy from those poster’s as they are always hiding something……
The 66′ the kids got me for a birthday gift has the same Ford Air conditioner as this one,I read the 65′ had a Falcon dash.Mine was originally a 2-barrel but someone changed the intake and now has 4 – barrel and dual exhaust.