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Original K-Code: 1965 Ford Mustang GT Fastback

Ford’s 1st Generation Mustang could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This 1965 GT Fastback is a perfect example of this because while it has a tidy but unassuming appearance, the K-Code V8 under the hood would make it a bitumen burner. The owner has decided that the time is right to part with the Fastback, which opens an opportunity for someone to become the next proud owner of a potent classic. It is located in Mesa, Arizona, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $45,400, although the reserve hasn’t been met.

The Silver Blue Mustang is an attractive car, and it is a guaranteed head-turner. The paint holds a pleasing shine, and the panels look to be free from dings and flaws. Not all of the steel is original, with both front fenders and the hood having been replaced at some point. It isn’t clear why this happened, so that could be a question for potential buyers to ask. A life spent in Arizona has paid dividends when we shift to the inevitable question of rust. There is a small spot in the passenger door’s bottom corner, but the rest of the Mustang remains rust-free. All of the correct trim is present and in excellent condition, while the same is true of the styled steel wheels and glass.

Lifting the Mustang’s hood reveals a numbers-matching K-Code 289ci V8 that should be pumping out a healthy 271hp. All of those ponies find their way to a 9″ rear end via a 4-speed manual transmission. This was the combination to order if you were a serious buyer in 1965 because the K-Code only added $276 to a Mustang GT’s price. Performance figures were about as impressive as you could hope for, with the 2,914lb Fastback capable of blitzing the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. That V8 is also one reason why this car has generated so much interest from potential buyers. While Ford managed to sell a whopping 559,451 Mustangs during the 1965 model year, a mere 7,273 buyers chose to hand over the cash for the K-Code option. That represents a take-up rate of 1.3%, which is microscopic when you consider it in a “bang-for-your-bucks” perspective. While the engine in this GT is original, the 4-speed transmission has been replaced at some point. Both the engine and transmission were treated to a rebuild around 10-years-ago, and the Fastback has only accumulated 3,000 miles since. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the Mustang runs or drives, but the low mileage and spotless presentation of the engine bay both paint a pretty positive picture in that regard.

When you take the time to look around inside the Mustang, you find interior trim that is hard to fault. The blue and white Pony upholstery looks close to faultless, with no evidence of wear or tears. The carpet is just as nice, while there are no problems with the dash or pad. The original owner chose to equip the GT with a console and Rally Pac gauges (one of my favorite options), and these appear to be as clean as the rest of the interior. The factory radio has made way for a radio/8-track player, but the rest of the interior is unmolested. This is an interior that would seem to need nothing and would be a pleasant place to be as the miles roll effortlessly beneath the wheels of this classic.

I have a soft spot for these early 1st Generation Mustangs, and it seems that I’m not alone on that front. There have been 27 bids submitted at the time of writing, which indicates that there are plenty of people who like what they see. There is a fair chance that there is some way to go before the reserve is met and that K-Code V8 is a significant part of this car’s appeal to enthusiasts. When taken as a percentage of the build total, it is a relative rarity. You might want to watch this auction closely, or you could be tempted to yield to temptation and submit a bid. If you did, I can’t say that I’d blame you.

Comments

  1. Avatar Classic Steel

    Sweet ride… MMMuuusssttang beauty..

    Nice color ,K code and manual transmission..

    Its going to do well …

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Bart

    Please stop saying “numbers matching engine” when referring to Fords. There is no such thing. Ford engine build codes never referenced a VIN or an individual chassis.
    This engine can be original or correct, not numbers matching.

    Like 7
    • Avatar tiger66

      True for the other engines but the K-code is an exception because those blocks were VIN-stamped. Maybe not all of them as some non-stamped examples exist but mostly all of them. So you can in fact have a numbers-matching K-code Stang.

      Like 22
      • Avatar Bart

        I didn’t know that about the K codes! Learn something new every day!
        Thanks!

        Like 13
      • Avatar stu

        In the grand scheme of things…who cares if the car is numbers matching? These early muscle cars when upgraded to todays times is really something nice! Imagine 5.0 Coyote Engine in this beast….Now we’re talking!

        Like 1
    • Avatar CATHOUSE

      Please stop spreading this misinformation. As Bunky states below the Hi-Po engines were VIN stamped and then starting in the 1968 model year all Ford engines and transmissions were VIN stamped as mandated by federal law. I have been parting out 1967-1973 Mercury products for close to 40 years now and I have plenty of engines and transmissions here that are VIN stamped. So there absolutely is such a thing as a numbers matching Ford. Now please stop spreading this misinformation.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Ray

      You are wrong all AK code have numbers on them underneath the engine by the starter though you are correct that all non K code cars didn’t have numbers on them till 67

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Skorzeny

    I am amazed that only 1.3% of Mustangs had the good motor. Astounding…

    Like 2
    • Avatar Mike

      The 289 was a good motor in C and A codes as well.
      Just not AS GOOD!

      Like 6
      • Avatar Jost

        Most gt,s and performance minded people went for the a code. It had a 4barrel carb and a milder hydraulic cam. It was a good performer. K code is special, always was. Even new

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Tucker Callan

    I owned a GT Cougar, & the consecutive build # was stamped on the back of the Driver`s side head.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Bunky

    HiPo Ford engines were stamped with partial VIN, as are all engines from ‘68 up, same year that VIN tags are required on the dash behind the windshield.
    Always a good idea to check your facts before calling out someone else’s “ignorance”.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Tom S.

    @Adam Clarke, Re: “the K-Code only added $276 to a Mustang GT’s price.”

    That’s ~$2,300 in today’s money.

    Very cool car.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Jon

    Great car.. Prob $60k in today’s market & climbing. Let’s see..

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Troy s

    Show the eight but sell the six. That was the dealers approach from what I understand. No warranty problems, everyone happy except of course for Joe Gearhead. Plus, the advertised quarter mile times back then were in the high to mid fifteens. The GT 350 Shelby had 308(?) advertised horsepower and actually could drop well into the fourteens being a thinly disguised racer. Who cares, really, thats a nice pony up there that will attract plenty of attention whether you like it or not. Take good care of it.

    Like 1

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