This 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible has led a colorful life, both literally and metaphorically. It has spent time in California and Mexico and now calls Washington home. It has changed paint shade, but now sports the color it wore when it left the line. However, most readers will agree that its K-Code 289ci V8 is the star of the show. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Mustang listed here on Bring a Trailer in Vancouver, Washington. Bidding sits at $15,000 as the auction heads into its final days.
I can almost guarantee that people were strutting proudly at Ford World Headquarters in 1966. The First Generation Mustang had exceeded all expectations, with 607,568 buyers taking one home that year. The success was understandable, because buyers could tailor a car to their needs and budget, joining the Mustang lifestyle relatively cheaply. This ’66 Convertible demonstrates what customers could achieve if they splashed some extra cash, helping explain the interest it has generated. The first owner purchased the car in California and immediately shipped it to Mexico. Shortly after arriving in Mexico, they changed the color to Red. It remained with the same owners until 2002, before returning to its native soil. At some point around that time, it appears that the second owner performed a restoration, returning the Mustang to its factory Ivy Green with a contrasting White soft-top. It still presents exceptionally well, and has been protected by the seller since they became its custodian in 2023. The comprehensive image gallery confirms that although the vehicle isn’t perfect, it comfortably ticks the boxes for a high-end driver. The paint shines beautifully, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and the underside shots confirm the Mustang is rust-free. The top is in good condition, as are the trim and glass. One change made by the seller surrounds the wheels. It rolled on American Racing Torq Thrust alloys when they purchased the vehicle, but they swapped them for a more appropriate set of chrome Ford styled steel wheels.
Lifting the hood reveals what many would consider to be this Mustang’s trump card. Ford offered 1966 buyers a choice of three versions of its 289ci V8, with the K-Code the pick of the bunch. It was a giant-killer, placing 271hp and 312 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. It was the powerplant selected by this car’s first owner, although the seller added a three-speed automatic transmission and Ford’s bulletproof 9″ rear end with 3.50 gears since taking delivery. The listing images confirm that the K-Code is numbers-matching, while the seller states that they recently installed the K-Code’s correct carburetor and camshaft, indicating that the 289 was rebuilt in 2002. Those concerned about authenticity will welcome the news that all removed parts are included, allowing the winning bidder to return the car to its factory form. There is also a selection of additional components, and it appears this classic is a turnkey proposition.
This Mustang’s interior has the “wow” factor. Trimmed in Black vinyl, it features a genuine Ford radio/8-track player and a reproduction Rally-Pac gauge cluster. There is no wear anywhere, from the upholstered surfaces to the matching carpet. The dash is spotless, the gauge fascia has avoided the typical wear and foggy lenses, and the timber wheel is excellent. The buyer could drop the top, slot one of the included 8-track cartridges into the player (anyone for some John Denver?), and hit the road with their head held high.
Despite the extraordinary production figures, values for First Generation Mustangs have continued to climb steadily. This is particularly true of any car featuring its numbers-matching K-Code 289. That brings us to a point to ponder. We know that the seller purchased this car from Bring a Trailer in 2023 and paid $41,000 for it. They have addressed a few shortcomings, including fitting wheels that are more appropriate than the American Racing Torq Thrust alloys it wore at the time of delivery. So, we know what they paid, but we can only speculate on how high the bidding will climb this time. Do you think it will surpass the previous sale price, or will it sell for less? More importantly, are you tempted to throw your hat into the ring? I wish you luck if you do.
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