It was inevitable that given the sheer numbers that rolled off the production line, 1st Generation Mustangs were going to be prime candidates for those individuals passionate about personalizing their ride. That has been the fate of this 1965 GT 2+2 Fastback, although none of its changes are irreversible. The important thing is that it retains its original DNA, along with desirable options like its genuine Rally Pac gauges. The buyer might choose to use the supplied parts to return the car to a factory-fresh state, or they may be equally happy hitting the road to savor the classic motoring experience in this turn-key gem. Regardless of which camp you fall into, you will find the Mustang located in Normal, Illinois, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $47,750, although he may be willing to listen to reasonable offers.

When the Mustang was shiny and new, its panels wore Poppy Red paint. The seller is the car’s sixth owner, and it isn’t clear whether it was they or a previous owner who chose to perform a color change to its current Acapulco Blue. While I generally tend to favor originality, I admit that this change isn’t hard on the eyes. The seller says that the paint has accumulated a few minor flaws, but none are visible in the supplied photos. What the buyer will receive for their money is a classic that wears a beautiful shine and is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. The panels are laser straight, and there’s no evidence of any rust that could cause the buyer concern. The vehicle’s underside has been undercoated, which should help keep the dreaded tin worm at bay. The trim and chrome appear flawless, while the same is true of the glass. The factory foglights remain in their rightful place, and the shining chrome wheels are wrapped in a set of Coker red stripe tires. The owner’s eye for detail extends to ensuring that the spare matches, meaning that replacing a flat won’t leave this car looking odd.

It appears that the Mustang is numbers-matching, which means that the drivetrain includes an A-Code 289ci V8 that is backed by a four-speed manual transmission. That A-Code punched out 225hp when new, which was enough to launch the vehicle through the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds. Once again, this is an aspect of the car that isn’t 100% original. As well as some cosmetic enhancements, the engine wears an updated intake, Holley carburetor, a more efficient air cleaner, and a set of headers. It would be fair to assume that these additions have pushed the output higher, and who can’t use more power? However, if the buyer craves originality, the owner includes the removed components in the sale. The owner has recently treated the Fastback to a host of new parts, including a flywheel, clutch, plugs, plug wires, a starter, and sundry other items. It appears that this represents money well spent because the car runs and drives perfectly. The owner includes this YouTube video to support his claims, and I can’t see or hear anything wrong with how it runs or drives.

For buyers looking for a car where they won’t need to spend a dime, this Mustang goes close to fulfilling that need. The interior is upholstered in black vinyl, and it presents beautifully. There is no wear or physical damage and little in the way of stretching. The plastic trim looks spotless, and what we can see of the headliner seems to continue that theme. With the Sports Deck rear seat folded down, the carpet on its back seems to be in as-new condition. If there is anything that could be a potential flaw, it might be the carpet on the floors. It looks like it may be slightly faded, although it could also be a trick of the light. Even if it isn’t perfect, its lack of obvious wear would make it difficult to justify spending money on a replacement set.

If the upholstery and trim are spotless, the dash, pad, and wheel offer us more of the same. I can’t spot anything to criticize, and it’s nice to see that the original Rally Pac gauges are present and working correctly. These are highly prized among enthusiasts, and while high-quality reproductions are readily available, there’s nothing quite like having the real deal in front of you. The factory radio has been replaced with an updated unit, but the dash hasn’t been cut to accommodate this. That means that if the buyer does seek originality, slotting in a factory unit would be pretty easy.

This 1965 Mustang GT isn’t 100% original, but returning it to that state would be possible. Some readers would choose that path, but I wouldn’t necessarily be one of them. I normally prefer originality in a classic car. But to me, this is a clean car that is a rung above driver-quality, and it is ready to be enjoyed immediately by a lucky new owner. It seems to need nothing, and I can’t say that I’d complain if I found it parked in my garage. Would you?