An early Mustang fastback is a beautiful thing, or in the case of this particular unit, it perhaps will be someday. This 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 is available on ebay, with a current bid under reserve at just short of $9,000. If it pushes up over the owner-determined minimum price, it will sell on Tuesday morning. Should you wish to check it out yourself, or if you win the bid, you’ll head to Hampton, SC to retrieve your new project.
Someday, you’ll be able to wheel it out of the garage with pride, its A-code 289 CID V8 purring away. The day you win it won’t be that day, because this car has a full inventory of work needed. “Total restoration” is the key term here, because you’re going to have to go from roof to lug nuts on this one. Of course, the body is a concern. In that vein, the exterior panels look serviceable, though I’d be a bit concerned about the doors, which seem more rusty in their lower regions than do the fenders. You may have to reskin them. What you’ll have considerably more time in addressing is the rust in the rear trunk area, namely the frame rails, integral on this unibody car. The left side looks a bit wonky but not terrible. The right side looks like it’s about to drop through. The underneath view confirms this. So let’s just say it this way: unless you’re pretty good at welding and know where to cut, this is going to be better left to an expert—a high-priced one most likely.
The engine and rest of the automatic-transmission drivetrain are said to be original, with the A-code spec being a value adder due to its relative rarity. It gives you 225 hp out of a 10.0:1 compression mill, an improvement on the C-code’s 200 horses. This engine turns, but it has not been started in an unspecified length of time. It looks like it was last hot-rodded a few decades ago, and put away. Now, prices getting crazy as they are, out it comes for someone new to toy with.
The interior can be bought from a catalogue, and that’s pretty much what you’re going to need to do, but one nice mini-bonus is the presence of the full-length console. So what’s the bottom line on this project? Easy? Somewhat, as parts availability for these cars is plentiful, both new and used. Inexpensive? Not necessarily, especially with what body work and paint cost these days. Worth it? Completely. A stock A-code Fastback used to be $40K. Some have recently auctioned in multiples of that. Put into Mustang collectibles context, the cost and trouble of redoing this car is exactly what it would be redoing a coupe. But in the end, you’re going to have a car which would resell much higher. But would you sell? You’ll also have one of the most beautiful cars ever produced, and I’m betting it will be a long time before you get tired of looking at it.
Rustang for sure. This person looks to have a shop as one can see and Thunderbird, another mustang to the left.
When one usually see’s a car in this shape at a auto shop for sale it makes a statement. The statement is this car is such a state that its not worth my time and money to br profitable.
It looks like he made a good decision as this Mustang is bringing way more than its worth.
The new owner unless put his mechanical and welding skills to the test is going to be way over one restored or never rusted .
Good luck. I know were still in that covidosity over paying stage but this is a definite win 🏆.
Been a browser first time leaving a post excuse the punctuation my fingers don’t work on phones growing up had a 67 Fastback 68 notch back 67 notch back sold my 67 Fastback when the kids were in grade school our grocery getter took a poop traded it for a 75 Blazer rust bucket had great times camping and and it served us well I told my friend they should have a car show for good Dads that got rid of their hot rods for a family car he left at me and said that show should be dumb as dad’s anyway love barn finds so many cars we had back in the day are Untouchable today again no punctuation my fingers work on cars and things not on cell phones
Welcome and thanks for commenting on my post.
Back in 82, a friend of mine bought a 66 fastback rolling shell for under $500.00. It was a real HI PO/four speed car, so there was that, although the motor/trans were long gone. Rust was all that was visible, it was so bad that the rear spring mounts rotted off the frame rail and the springs came up and bent the deck lid in two spots when they hit it. Pile of s%$t doesnt begin to describe the car, it should have been junked. His dad drove semi and he helped find parts for it on his trips and my buddy ended up redoing it. The front frame rails, inner fenders and cowl were good, surprisingly, as was the roof. EVERY other piece of sheet metal was replaced and it looked like a brand new Dynacorn body. He still has it, still a roller, in primer in his barn.
I always thought if I had money I would buy a new repop fastback Mustang shell. Then install all new modern suspension components, a 400 HP 302 , five speed to a 9 inch. All new interior etc. I still think the 65, 66 Mustang fastback is one of the most beautiful cars ever made…
I had a 1965 fastback for 7 years, late 80’s – mid 90’s. A Chevy tribe member had acquired it prior to me & dropped a 351 Cleveland w/auto tans into it and painted it like a cobra with red center stripe. I worked countless hours on that car. Looked great, but was always a headache in one way or another. The Frankenstein drivetrain made me realize you can’t just slap a big engine in a car without consequences.
4 wheel drum brakes were standard on that car. Ugh.
Selling it was one of the happiest days of my life.
Now I’m into sleeper, beefed up Volvo wagons (240, 850 & V70). Manual transmissions only!