The Ford Mustang debuted at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964, and became an instant hit. In the next 2 ½ years, more than 1.2 million copies left the assembly line, one of the most successful new car launches of all time. The seller’s shiny red convertible was built before August 1964, so it’s considered by some enthusiasts to be a 1964 ½ model. Likely an earlier restoration, this drop-top can be found in Belmar, New Jersey, and is available here on craigslist for $25,500.
About 121,500 of the so-called ’64 ½ Mustangs were produced, followed by 559,500 more “official” ‘65s. However, all of these cars were titled as 1965s, so the ’64 ½ is more myth than reality. There were some differences during these production cycles, such as generators instead of alternators, and the base six-cylinder displaced 170 cubic inches vs. 200. The seller’s car has the former, installed in some minority of the nearly 29,000 76A convertibles produced for “1964 ½”.
Not much in the way of history is provided for this ragtop pony. With a reported 75,000 miles, it looks too nice not to have at least been repainted over the past 60 years. There seems to be no rust, the paint is good, and the contrasting canvas bonnet is equally good. The matching red interior seems quite tidy, too, so we assume the buyer will get a turn-key car.
The inline-6 should be capable enough in traffic, especially with the 3-speed manual. I had a ’66 Mustang with the 200 I-6 and it was peppy enough with the automatic tranny. I wish I still had that car, but we all have had one or two cars we regret letting go. The only thing I would do with this one is to pull off the white stripe on the hood and trunk if it wouldn’t hurt the paint. Thanks for the open air tip, Mitchell G.!
I’ve seen this before. The car was left in a lot or on the road despite the “Temporary no parking” signs and the line painters went right over it. Shame on an otherwise nice car.
Obey the signs people!
I guess with the 6 banger it wasn’t appropriate to run racing stripes so they went with the lower performance lesser known racing stripe.
Warranty plate shows paint code “A”, Raven Black.
I would rather it be the black it’s supposed to be. Everyone has a red convertible. I’m tired of seeing red convertibles. The car is rare with that engine, but having the lowest power available in any first generation car means in this case that rare doesn’t mean valuable.
My nitpick would be: how about spending five bucks for a new clutch pedal pad. And yes, that offset stripe needs to go, if possible. Otherwise might be a good basic cruiser convertible.
I agree about the clutch pedal pad Bob. Besides looking better its also a safety issue too. ( Sheesh!!! When did I become my father!!!!) That stripe just doesn’t work for me here either. But otherwise the 6 and a stick will keep up with traffic. It could be fun to just drive on the weekends with the kids for ice cream.
In addition to the pedal pad, the dash bezel needs to be replaced. Not sure if all the “chrome” just wore off or it was painted black, but for under $50 for both items would make a huge difference.
First thing I noticed to was the pedal pad. Remove the strip if possible nice car with a manual trans.
I was hoping to see 13 inch wheels. Even early v8s got 13 in wheels! – tho incredibly they were 5 lug (instead of 4 lug for the 6 cyls).
Oy, that off-center stripe! Somebody was channeling Virgil Exner!
Funny how that stripe burned everyone’s retinas that saw it. That’s the first thing I thought. That stripe has got to go. Real nice beyond that.
That 3spd has a non-synchronized 1st gear, at least on my ’66 200ci 6cyl. I think they went to a fully synchronized 3spd in ’67.
Yes, my turquoise ‘66 (bought used) had the unsynchronized first gear. I just assumed the synchronizer was cooked until I learned it was designed that way! A pain in the rear, but the little 6-banger was a delight.
Interesting that I looked up the plate information and being it has a 5 under Trans, it should have a 4 speed trans in it. A 3 speed trans would be a 1.
Wonder why that is?
The ad never actually mentions weather it’s a 3 speed or 4 speed. It just says most were 3 speeds.
I remember seeing a Mustang just like this on a pedestal at the NY Worlds Fair in 1964. The crowds around it definitely loved it. Then when we went inside the Ford Pavillion, we rode in a red Mustang convertible through the displays.
Imagine owning 1 of the world’s fair mustangs.
On the ’65-66s could you get a black steering wheel from the factory with a red interior – like on this one?
If the next buyer doesn’t repaint it in black, they should at least have the thin white trim lines painted next to the stripe.
stupid white stripe