One-Owner Project: 1965 Ford Mustang 302 V8

When the Ford Mustang debuted in April 1964, only two body styles were offered: the coupe and convertible. If you wanted the cool fastback, you had to wait until September when the official 1965 models were released. The seller has one with body damage, but a good running 302 cubic inch V8 (not period correct). Located in a driveway in Eagan, Minnesota, this pony project is waiting for its opening bid of $9.995 here on eBay.

More than 77,000 buyers took home a Mustang fastback in 1965. Most of them (71,000) had the standard interior, like the one in the seller’s car, with the rest having the so-called “luxury” décor. This pony likely had a 289 V8 under the hood when it left the factory, but a running 302 lives there now. When it was transplanted isn’t known because the listing was placed on behalf of the owner who is said to have bought the car when new.

From the looks of things, this Ford has led a hard life. That may have begun when it took a serious hit to the driver’s side rear quarter panel, which will have to be replaced (along with probably more). The rest of the exterior is questionable, but some extra body panels are stacked up here and there and presumably go with the car. The white interior is well worn, so a full cosmetic restoration will be needed.

The claimed mileage is 50,000, but could it be 150k since the engine had to be replaced? The car has a floor-shifted automatic transmission, but nothing is said about it. Since the car is being sold on behalf of someone else, a string of exchanges will have to take place between three parties to get a deal done. The fastback is probably the most desirable first-gen Mustang to have, but you’ll have your work cut out for you with this one.