It seems inevitable that the automotive future will be dominated by hybrid and zero-emission vehicles. That landscape makes vehicles like this 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback so important. Most of our readers have been lucky to have lived through an era where classic cars regularly emerge from hiding, but future generations may not be so fortunate. They may never experience the thrill of locating a fantastic barn find and returning it to its former glory. However, that opportunity awaits someone today with this Mustang. The owner recently unearthed it hidden away in a barn, a spot it had occupied for more than two decades. While there’s no denying it needs work, it is a prime project candidate that should be worth the effort and expense. Located in Dayton, Ohio, you will find the Fastback listed for sale here on eBay. Subdued bidding has pushed the price to $13,100, although this remains short of the reserve. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this promising pony for us.

It appears that this Mustang is essentially complete, but being a First Generation vehicle, it is no surprise that the buyer will face some rust repairs. It has impacted the usual areas like the lower rear quarter panels, lower front fenders, floors, trunk pan, and rear frame rails. There are also some small spots in the front frame rails, but the seller believes these could be repaired rather than replaced. These tasks and a few minor dings and dents will require attention before the buyer lays on a fresh coat of Ivy Green paint. A few trim pieces are missing, and some will require replacement or restoration. The tinted glass looks good, and the overall impression is that returning this Fastback to its former glory should be no more difficult or expensive than most other Mustang projects that we’ve seen at Barn Finds over the past decade.

Apart from the missing factory radio, this Mustang’s interior is as complete as its exterior. It also shares that area’s need for a total restoration. The owner is candid about its condition, admitting that the upholstered surfaces, carpet, and headliner are all beyond help. The most cost-effective approach would be for the buyer to purchase a trim kit because high-quality ones for around $2,000 are difficult to distinguish from factory items. If the buyer is focusing on a custom build, all bets are off, and they could select the material and color of their choice. Whichever path they choose, they will find no task more satisfying than whipping this interior into shape.

Lifting the hood reveals some positive news with this Fastback. Its engine bay is occupied by an A-Code 289ci V8 that pumped out 225hp in its prime. From there, the power originally found its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The Mustang would have blasted through the ¼ mile in 15.4 seconds before winding its way to 125mph. It seems that a previous owner wasn’t fond of shifting gears, so they swapped a three-speed automatic into this classic. However, this has died, but the original manual transmission is included. Like many aspects of the car, it will require a rebuild. That’s an inconvenience and an added expense, but it appears that reinstating the four-speed will return the vehicle to a numbers-matching car. The owner worked through reviving the 289, adding a new radiator, a battery, a starter, a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and a secondhand Holley carburetor. The motor starts and runs well, but the transmission issues mean that the vehicle doesn’t currently drive.

When I look at modern offerings gracing showroom floors across the planet, I struggle to find anything that I could conclusively say will be a future classic. If you discount the usual exotics from companies like Porsche and Ferrari, few new cars have captured the hearts and imaginations of the motoring public to the same extent as the First Generation muscle and pony cars. I am prepared to be wrong on that score and will be interested in gauging the view of our readers on that subject. What do you see as a potential future classic that will be worth preserving? In the meantime, are you tempted to throw this Mustang a lifeline?