Parked For 40 Years: 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback

If this 1967 Mustang Fastback were a living creature, it would probably be rubbing its eyes and trying to determine what the white powder falling from the sky is. That is because while it spent its early life in sunny California, it has spent most of the last four decades squirreled away in a shed as a stalled project. The seller recently dragged this classic out of hiding and returned it to a driveable state. It is waiting for a new owner to slap down some cash so that it can head to a new home and be returned to its former glory. Located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, you will find the Fastback listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has already roared past the reserve and currently sits at $36,300.

The backstory of this Mustang will seem pretty familiar to many readers. It started its active life in California, but at some point, it appears that it may have found its way to Minnesota. The previous owner purchased the vehicle as a project. He parked it in his garage, placed it up on blocks, and that’s when things stalled. He left it in that state for around twenty years before sadly passing away. The family retained the Fastback untouched for a further two decades before selling it to the current owner a few months ago. It appears that the storage environment must have been close to ideal because this classic is rock-solid. There are no issues visible in any of the supplied photos, and the seller claims that the Mustang is rust-free. The existing red paint is presentable for a survivor, although there is evidence of a color change that the seller believes occurred during the 1980s. There are spots in the trunk that reveal what appears to be Clearwater Aqua paint, and if I were to buy this classic, I wouldn’t hesitate to return it to its original shade. The exterior trim appears to be in good condition for a survivor, as is the glass. A cosmetic refresh for this Fastback would be straightforward, but its overall presentation and solid nature mean this could occur as time and circumstances allow.

This photo reveals how spotlessly clean the underside is and how the buyer can retire their grinder and welder for this project. Sadly, we don’t receive any engine photos, but the seller supplies plenty of information. The Mustang features a C-Code 289ci V8 that should produce 200hp. With that V8 bolted to a three-speed automatic transmission, this classic would have covered the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds in its prime. It isn’t clear whether the car is numbers-matching, but after four decades of inactivity, the seller turned his attention to the drivetrain as a priority. He flushed and replaced all the fluids, rebuilt the carburetor, and replaced many seals and gaskets. Virtually the entire braking system is new, as is the exhaust. That work has returned this gem to a running, driving state, with the owner saying that the little V8 sounds sweet. It seems that the drivetrain may require further work to achieve a roadworthy condition, but with what has already been completed, it should prove pretty easy and inexpensive.

If the buyer looks at this Mustang’s interior and doesn’t race out to splash the cash on new parts, I wouldn’t blame them. The carpet looks faded in some spots, but if considered as a survivor-grade classic, the interior trim remains serviceable. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage on the upholstered surfaces, while the dash and pad look pretty good. If I were to buy this Mustang and turn my attention to its interior, I might consider splashing $200 on a carpet set and $100 on a new gauge bezel. Those two items would make a significant difference to the presentation, making it money well-spent. The interior isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, nor is it dripping with aftermarket additions. The factory AM radio occupies its rightful place, while the Sport Deck rear seat appears to work as it should.

With summer rapidly approaching, cars like this 1967 Mustang Fastback that are already attractive propositions assume a new dimension. It would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but its good presentation and rust-free status mean that the next owner could slot in the final pieces of the puzzle required to render it roadworthy. They could enjoy a spot of relaxed touring during the upcoming warmer months, then tackle the restoration work as time and circumstances allow. The world is full of First Generation Mustang project cars, but this one’s overall condition explains the frantic bidding. Now that you know what it has to offer, are you tempted to pursue it further? Even if you don’t, it should be worth watching the auction to see where it reaches before the hammer falls.