In 1966, Ford’s “pony car” – the Mustang – was the best-selling U.S.-built automobile at more than 607,000 copies. But rare were those equipped with the HiPo K-code 289 cubic-inch V8 (271 hp) that numbered only 5,469 installations. But reduce that to only fastbacks with the GT option and the top V8, and they may be scarcer than hen’s teeth today. That might explain the seller’s lofty asking price of $112,000 here on Facebook Marketplace and in Joplin, Missouri. Our thanks go to NW Iowa Kevin for this lead.
Between 1964 and 1966, Ford could do no wrong with its sporty trendsetter, the Mustang. Their assembly lines had to be pumping 24X7 to crank out 1.3 million coupes, convertibles, and fastbacks in about 30 months. The GT edition added the standard use of a V8 engine, fog lamps, front disc brakes, and dual tips sticking out below the bumper. But most of the GTs probably had the base 289 motor (200 horses), yet the seller’s car has been verified (per the seller) as having the HiPo version usually associated with the Shelby Mustang.
We see only one “before” photo of this fastback in advance of it receiving a nuts-and-bolts restoration. No expense was likely spared, and much of the seller’s asking price could have been absorbed by the cost of this extensive redo. But this is an ambitious asking price that may have led to this beauty being listed for 10 weeks (and counting?). Just 300 miles may have been added to the odometer since this exercise was completed.
But you don’t typically find six-figure cars on Facebook Marketplace, and an automobile like this deserves nothing less than a thorough presentation to seek out just the right buyer. This Ford has changed hands at least three times and comes with a 4-speed manual transmission. Everything about this Mustang speaks new or period correct.
OK, who can fault for being a desirable fastback with a tasty mill and 4spd to boot, but my, the asking price is eye-watering!
This is one impressive restoration. The black paint, red stripe and red stripe tires seriously go together beautifully. Its a lot of money. But this one is truly Top Shelf.
I’d compliment the owner to his face, then laugh about the price with my pals, later. No question about it, it’s a beautiful car, but even if the price is a negotiating tactic, it’s still a moonshot.
My untrained eye sees 90 grand easy, it usually takes 80 to do one right, at least my friend that does restorations for a living, mostly Mopars says. He tells the customer that they should budget the price of a new Escalade or Navigater at least. I’m not up on new cars, but when blasting is 2500.00, primer is over a grand, and paint itself costs 3500.00 not counting new sheet metal, rust repair and labor and materials, I think that’s about right. The ’70 GTX he built for a customer won best of show at the 800 car show at The Dragon at Bagnell Dam in MO last year. That car will be on the car show T shirt this year.
Beautiful Mustang GT with 289 (271 HP) and 4 speed. How can you go wrong! But.. I thought the GT came with the guages over the steering column tach and clock? And what type of rear end does it have? For big bucks…. it would be nice to know. Good luck to the seller!🐻🇺🇸
Rally-Pac was an option, both from factory or dealer installed. If ordered on a K-Code Mustang the tach went to 8,000 RPM.
I don’t know the gear ratio for the rear end, because several options were available, however, it would have come with a 9″ housing. Also, the distributor is a centrifugal advance only, and was used only on the Hi-Po 289.
A beautiful car no doubt, but the asking price is very close to Shelby land. A bit much for a K code mustang
Mustang owner here. Small clarification: there were absolutely ZERO GTs that were equipped with the C code (200 hp) 289. GTs ONLY came with the A code (225 hp) or the HiPo K code (271 hp).
My best friend growing up was gifted a 66 Mustang 289 4sp dark metallic green when he turned sixteen by a family friend. Even had horseshoe bumper add ons front/rear. Quite a car for a sixteen year old. Even though we lived around the corner from each other, he never even gave me a ride in it…I was still taking the bus for quite a while, but I was never jealous.
It’s easy to question the price perhaps but look at the presentation of this car. Wow! Awesome color combo, GT Package, K-Code 271 HP engine, 4 speed, upgraded interior, styled steel wheels and red line tires compliment the colors of the car so well. A Rally-pac would’ve been nice but its not missing much else is it?
I love looking at cars like this that are restored to such a high caliber, but that’s about all you can do with them. Can’t comfortably drive them for fear of getting a scratch somewhere or some dust on the A arms.
I’ve always been a Ford guy but when I was a kid I never wanted a Mustang, especially a fastback, because it seemed everyone had one. Wow, how times and my attitude have changed. Would give a lot to have a nice one now, but not 112k. That is part of the problem; who wants to spend that kind of money for something they can only look at.
If your insurance company accepts the appraisal and you pay the bill every month, what’s the difference between driving this and a similarly priced C8?
BTW lots of people (perhaps not you or me) pay this kind of money for something “just to look at.” Would you buy the Shroud of Turin and wear it around the house?
About 10 years ago, I was presented with the first opportunity to purchase a 66 Mustang Convertible automatic with K-code. The car was all original and in excellent condition. It was mine for $15K. Unfortunately, as hard as I worked to come up with it, I couldn’t come up with the scratch. Why is it that opportunities rarely align with the finances?
You can buy a lot of cool cars for $112K. I think it’s overpriced but hey, perhaps somebody who loves them would think differently.
“But most of the GTs probably had the base 289 motor (200 horses)”
1965 and ’66 GTs could not be had with the base 289. To get the GT Equipment Group in those years you had to order either the 225 hp “A code” engine or the 271 hp “K code” motor. Starting with the ’67s, you could get the GT package with any V8.
Its not a superbird but its still worth about 55k at Mechum
Coincidentally, a White Hemi Superbird my friend restored was at BJ in AZ about ten years ago and it brought 266 thousand, and it too was on the T shirt for next BJ year’s auction in AZ.
You would certainly expect alot more pictures from start to finish when asking house money for such a car.
Worth 50-60k max.
Certainly appears to be pretty well done, but for that money will need way better pictures and views, along with documentation from stem to stern.
Also, Fakebook is notorious for scams.
Obviously, this is not a Rustang and some cruel writers like to call them.
I’ve seen these Fastback “K” code Mustangs bring 75 to 90k at auction that are top of the line cars. If you’re paying to get one restored you will be upside down in money invested. And a garage queen is no fun to have. Built a 65 “K” Convertible that was a trailer queen, didn’t want to maintain it. Check this Vin# and you can see the car. 5F08K777151. Restored it in 2014 and it didn’t bring enough for me to sell it. Sold it to a gentleman in Canada. It now has been to three BJ sales and 87K was the highest it sold for. Don’t want another garage or trailer queen.
I would want proof for all those options. I can tell you right away that the console isn’t right for pony interior. It’s obviously a k-code car but I have my doubts about it being a factory GT or a factory deluxe interior car.
Like a lot of folks here, I think it’s a beautiful car, but over priced. Given today’s kid’s tastes, it’s not having PS, PB or A/C (don’t even know if A/C was available on 271hp) would be a negative. I drive Mustang all the time, but one this nice would have to be show car or “garage art”.
IDK where the writer got their information, but being the Best selling car in the 60’s was not the Mustang such as the one above did set records and was a beautiful car for sure. It checks all the buttons and does Ford Proud even after over 40 years. But according to Search Labs the the
Best selling car through the 60’s goes to the Chevrolet Impala which topped all Charts for sales through out the 60 ‘s .
Well, not exactly. The best selling car in America in the 1960’s was the Impala, but the best selling car in the 1960’s was the Volkswagen Beetle. But best selling doesn’t always translate to most desirable for collectors later on. I know there are Volkswagen collectors and Impala collectors out there, but the Mustang, Camaro, Firebird, Chevelle, Barracuda, Javelin, and others are far more popular with collectors now than other cars from the era. The most popular is not always a good thing, as the most popular usually indicates a practical decision. The Impala was the best selling car in America because it was a sort of sporty family car. It wasn’t the teenagers dream car, it was Dad’s car that the whole family fit in comfortably.
Mark, you ought to look at the average prices of Impalas vs Mustangs. Admittedly this Mustang is at the very top of the marque, but Impalas on average are more expensive I think.