Sometimes it is easier to spot a true classic car enthusiast than at other times. Take the owner of this 1965 Mustang Fastback. This Ford is a desirable classic with a potent V8 under the hood. When the owner parks it in his garage, it rubs shoulders with a 1970 Nova Yenko Deuce and a ’63 Oldsmobile Jetfire. If that isn’t a sign of a true performance car enthusiast, I don’t know what is. Advancing age means that the owner has decided that the time is right to downsize his collection. Therefore, he has listed the Mustang for sale here on Craigslist. You will find it located in St. George, Utah, with a sale price of $65,000. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder rex m for referring this beautiful Mustang to us.
There is so much to like about this Rangoon Red Mustang. It did receive a repaint in its original color around 20-years-ago, and it remains remarkably well preserved. The paint has a wonderful depth of shine and displays no evidence of significant marks or damage. The panels are laser straight, and the owner makes the bold claim that there is no known rust or corrosion anywhere on the vehicle. I tend to believe him because the car has apparently spent most of its life in a climate that tends to be kind on classic steel. The chrome sparkles at least as well as the paint, or possibly even better. The glass is flawless, and the alloy wheels show no signs of damage or stains.
The 289ci V8 that resides under the hood is numbers-matching, but it isn’t completely original. It is a K-Code motor, which means that when new, it would have produced 271hp. In 1965, this was as good as it got if you walked into a Ford dealer to buy a Mustang. The transmission and rear-end are also original, and in this case, we find a 4-speed manual. Straight-line performance was all that you might expect with this drivetrain combination. Point it at a ¼ mile, and the journey would be over in 14.7 seconds. The entire drivetrain, along with the original radiator and suspension, was rebuilt by a previous owner around 15-years-ago. Staggeringly, the Mustang has only accrued less than 1,000 miles since this work was completed. That means that it is hardly worn out. There are a couple of deviations from standard, and the more subtle include the fuel pump and the fan assembly. Less subtle is the intake system. Perched atop that K-Code is a Tri-Power setup of unknown origin. There’s little doubt that it would boost engine power, but as a purist, I can’t say that I find it thrilling. However, that’s a matter of personal preference, so a buyer might choose to leave it as-is. If not, it should be possible to source a date-correct carburetor, intake, and air cleaner to return it to its original specifications.
When the previous owner completed the mechanical refurbishment, he also chose to lavish some attention on the interior. It isn’t clear what might have been replaced, but the presentation today is close to faultless. There is no evidence of wear-and-tear and no signs of the sort of UV damage that can plague classics from this location. The original radio has made way for an aftermarket radio/cassette player, but the dash hasn’t been cut to fit this. That means that the buyer can choose to source the correct radio to return the interior to a factory-fresh state. One nice touch is the Rally-Pac gauges. I’ve always liked the look of these, and even if they aren’t original to this car, they still look right.
At 72-years-of-age, the owner of this 1965 Mustang has decided to downsize his collection. Choosing which classic to part with must have been difficult because all of them rate highly in the desirability stakes. My only qualm with this vehicle is the non-standard induction system. I think that it has the potential to impact the Fastback’s ultimate value negatively. However, it is something that a buyer might choose to live with because it should boost the performance of what is already a potent car. It has been on the market for a very short time, and I won’t be surprised if someone snaps it up pretty quickly. I know that I’d be tempted if I had the money. Are you?
The wheels aren’t stock, so why does the induction system need to be? If it makes more power, leave it on the car.
Guys your missing the point…It’s nice to see a unique ride that is different and not like every other car on the road….One thing that is not talked about is the next generation interested in these old cars (the younger crowd)…If they get their hands on these old muscle cars, they will modify them and make them very different! And your commenting on the rims….
I want this in my garage….sitting next to my 2016 Shelby Gt350.
I might be tempted too paint it white with blue stripes to match the Shelby..
$65 Large is a big number……not certain the seller will get it….time will tell.
Kind of reminds me of Gas Ronda,just put a 427 cammer with fuel injection I think that will grab some attention
You will find a 4-speed behind every genuine K-code Mustang engine in 1965. An automatic was not available until 1966.
Ford offered a dealer installed 3-2 setup. I can’t tell from the photos if this is one of them but if so I would take it over the original 4 barrel AUTOLITE any day.
With a good induction system like this one and strong gearing this K code may lay down the quoted 14.7, maybe not. 15.8 or around that was the published quarter mile times from back then on a k code Mustang.
Sweat ride here with those wheels giving it that hot car vibe, nothing wrong with taking over where Ford left off performance wise, just dont wreck it.
You are wrong about the automatic transmission not being available till 1966. I bought a new one with automatic trans. when I was on my honeymoon in September of 65! It was a K-Code Mustang!!!!!!
I’ve seen many 65 automatics….
The tri power was a legitimate over the counter part from Ford at the time. The one I had included a Ford script intake. Adds of the day show these intake systems
I’ve always thought 3 was better than one, regardless what it is. Got in a bind with that philosophy when I was young but it was fun. Great car. Just right.
Looks a lot like Poppy red to me, bolts in the door jams would have been black as the windows were added after painting, so as they are painted i looks like a color change to me, i love Poppy Red.
I owned a 65 GT fast back back in 66 one of my all time favorites. Mine had white and red interior with wood grain accent beautiful car. I don’t think was a K car but it could have been had 3 speed trans and a 4 barrel.
This one checks all the boxes, right down to the 8 grand Rally-pac. expensive but if its nice underneath and correct, hard to find in this condition. Buy an expensive rust bucket and put it in the shop and you will pass the 65 large easily. I never had the coin to buy something like this, built my own. Love the look of the 3 deuces. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Chevy guy all my life but the 65 and 66 Mustang Fastbacks especially with the addition of torque thrust wheels rivals all the Chevys I have owned. Always was going to get one but never did.
Life is short…as we are learning thru this Covid nightmare……buy what you want (if you can afford it) and enjoy your time in this world.
love this car had one with the 289 and 4 speed looked the same except my interior was red . my dream is to one day own one of these beauties again. I would love to talk with the owner about experiences he had with it. many fond memories of mine.
65/66 Fastback.
Original K code.
Best Ford ever did, right on the 1st try!
Easy $50-$60k all day
i guess this car has sold…bummer as i would have liked to buy it….just hard to beat a 65-66 K code….as has been said, Ford got it right on the first try. If the owner sees this, please contact me! Best, Brad in Dallas griffbl@me.com