I had to do a double-take when I saw this 1966 Ford Mustang. That’s because it appears to be dark green like mine was and has a similar 200 cubic inch inline-six. But upon further inspection, I discovered it was not the same ride (which I sold in 1975, so who knows what became of it by now). The “pony car” looks to have been well cared for, though it’s not numbers-matching. Calling Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home (for now), this popular Ford is available here on Facebook Marketplace for a reasonable $8,000 and is a tip brought to us by “Lothar… of the Hill People”.
Photos can be misleading, and what I thought was dark green could instead be dark blue since the bucket seat interior is blue. The body, paint, and passenger compartment all look tidy after nearly 60 years, but some reworking could easily have been done. This car does not have a console, though mine did, and it often got in the way at the drive-in movies (if you catch my drift).
The original six-banger is gone, having been replaced by essentially the same engine from 1972 (out of a Maverick, perhaps?). The car runs and drives, and the seller took a spin in it just the day he or she listed it. We’re told you “won’t find a better vintage car in this price range,” and we’d be inclined to agree. Too bad the Mustang is so far away, or I might be on my way to fetch it home.
“Six and the Single Girl”. This was the car Ford marketed as a car for all the single ladies, using a catchy similarity to a well known book at the time. Since Mustangs hadn’t quite reached “snarling, rubber burning monsters”, Ford knew full well, young, single successful women could make up huge portion of sales. Of the almost 600,000 1966 Mustangs sold, almost half were 6 cylinders. I think it was Fords intent, a sporty Falcon, but things just got out of hand. The ’66 Mustang had a gazillion options, and not many 2 were alike. I only hope the new owner, ( or modern mechanics) knows what a feeler gauge is used for????( ’72 was the last year for points) Maybe an antique store has one in the tool area( with cobwebs). This won’t be around long. My eternal hope, and fading, is someone will enjoy this car like it was 1966 again, and not slap a 5 figure price tag on it. Who knows?
Feeler gauge??? Haven’t you ever heard of a matchbook cover?
Or a thin dime?
Lol. Thanks henry! I remember that well.
Almost always used a dwell meter to set points
Howard, you mean my feeler guage isn’t needed any longer? What about the old Craftsman tools stamped “made in USA”?
Sweet!
I have feeler gauges for points and sparkplugs, dwell meter also if anyone needs them. My 64 1/2 Mustang was my first purchased car, in high school. No console but I had a small pillow that had “POW” sewn upon it by my aunt. I would tell my date, “POW, right in the cheeks!” Ah, the old days…Anyways, why not drop a 289 in that engine compartment and maybe even add A/C? It is a survivor now. Looks good!
I think you just answered your own question. Leave this survivor as is.
Please keep it as it is. The 200 6 was a pretty good compromise for practicality, economy and performance. Please leave the 6 in place. A lot of these were sold, and, since nearly everyone has an eight in their Mustang, this one would be a standout at the show, as well as being a nice cruiser. With a 4 speed it would be even more fun, but you can’t always have everything……….
Howard makes a good point. Six cylinder early Mustangs were very very common, partly because Ford simply couldn’t keep up with the demand for 289’s.
It must have been a crazy couple of years at Ford. Can you imagine the problems which had to be dealt with because of the home-run nature of the Mustang? “Bill, we need twice as many consoles as we projected. Can you get with the supplier and figure out a solution.”
It’s pretty darn nice but I’m inclined to ask why so cheap? After seeing all the rusted overpriced junk on this website I got to wonder. Or maybe it’s just a fair price from someone not interested in making a killing. Yeah I know it’s a six. It will pull.
I gave $13K for my 65 a few years ago. Stood back and threw money at it for 3 years…got it just like I want it, but now I’ve spent WAY more on it than it’s worth! Do it for the love of the car and love of the hobby. I seldom sell my toys, and I don’t think I’ve EVER made a profit!