Growing up in Minnesota, Dennis Carpenter ended up in North Carolina in 1960, and almost anyone who needs parts for a Ford restoration knows his name. He started a business that reproduced parts and created a legendary company under his name. As often happens with vehicle fans (and fanatics) who make a fortune, they start collecting and restoring vehicles. This 1962 Mustang Thoroughbred is from his collection and it’s listed here on eBay in Concord, North Carolina. The seller has over 100 vintage vehicles listed for sale and this Mustang is priced at $7,995, or you can make an offer.
Over five decades of owning a parts reproduction business has made Mr. Carpenter a famous name, and it also allowed him to acquire a variety of vintage vehicles, from cars and trucks to tractors and motorcycles – even small motorcycles such as this ’62 Mustang Thoroughbred. Just to get the price out of the way, Hagerty lists a #2 excellent example at $6,900 and a #1 Concours example at $9,200. Having most likely received a no-expenses-spared restoration, it could be right on the money.
Mustang motorcycles were made in Glendale, California by a parent company called Gladden Products Corporation. The company started producing a small engine before WWII and that evolved into a commuter motorcycle made by an engineer at the company named Howard Forrest. Mr. Forrest created a motorcycle in 1941 using the engine he developed in 1936 and used it to commute to work at Gladden during World War II. Company owners asked Forrest to refine the motorcycle design and they started Mustang Motorcycle Corp, an offshoot of Gladden, to produce the motorcycle. The rest is history, at least until production ended in 1965.
The Thoroughbred hit the market in 1960 and was an interesting variation of the Mustang line that included a range of small motorcycles, started by the early Colt and Pony to a three-wheel model and even a trail bike. The Thoroughbred had fixed handlebars, a double seat (although still small for two passengers), and storage under the seat for commuting, some might say it was the perfect commuting motorcycle for the time. The seller says this is an older restoration but it looks almost perfect to me.
The engine is a 319-cc side-valve single with 12.5 horsepower and it sends power through a four-speed manual for a nice riding experience, whether it’s over five decades old or not. Cycle World Magazine called the Thoroughbred both a beginner’s bike and one for experienced riders and it satisfies both, even those who prefer one-cylinder thumpers, and this one thumps with the best of them. If money were no object, I’d buy every motorcycle listed on the seller’s eBay page from the Dennis Carpenter collection. Have any of you owned a Mustang motorcycle?
Sexy bike, beautifully proportioned. Wish we knew if it runs. Good article, Scotty (but you left out how much it weighs and the dimensions, ha ha, just kidding!)
Why you, I oughta… Ha, you’re probably right on that, unfortunately.
All I found was that they weigh 220 pounds unless anyone out there knows how high, wide, and long they are from having one in their garage or living room…
from cycle world magazine…
4.00×12 tires
wheelbase 50″
saddle height 27″
5.5″ ground clearance
Thanks, eric22t!
Never saw’r one, except in magazines. I don’t think there would have been any shame riding one in Harleytown, it just wasn’t done. I read these could do 60mph, if you dared, and they look sharp, they cost about $539 new, claimed 71 mph, and 28.1 sec. at 58mph in the 1/4 mile, however, your results will surely vary. With a Honda 50 costing around $200, and a real motorcycle, the Mustang, a glorified mini-bike, faded away right when the Asians took hold.
You’re right about that, H-A. I’d take this over a Honda 50 any day, but not at eight grand.
Thirty some odd years ago there was a guy in Oregon who specialized in restoring Mustang motorcycles. He was also known for his airplanes. When I met him he had two of the best, a Boeing PT 17 Stearman and a Beechcraft Staggerwing – the closest thing to a flying Duesenberg!
62yrs ago I cut grass in Pinellas Park, Fl. for $1.25 to $1.50. Mr. Smith of Smith’s Fix It shop patiently taught me lawn mower mechanics. Mr. Smith used to completely restore Mustangs repainted and all for between $150 & $175. I could only dream of having that kind of money. Now at 73, I never forgot Mr. Smith’s kindness to a kid whose father passed away in a Veterans hospital too soon in life.
We have a trike at the museum where I volunteer. It was donated from a private collection. It’s in beautiful condition but just sits out of sight in the car sales area.
If money grew on trees, perhaps.
I greatly admire Michelle’s writeups, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder here.
I find this thing an ungainly lump.
Is it the last new flathead engine?
I do as well, but unfortunately, I wrote this one, jwaltb…
like the pre-war car, its time has gone by (I’d say). Those who would have been in the market for this are now out. On the same line bikes of the ’90s would B hot now.
For me, provenance has no sway, I dont run with the market be it ephemera, coins, cars, any collectable. Just another mini bike. Nicely restored but all the value (cant tell I just get panels from D.C.) must be due to one time ownership (“But, but… Dennis C owned it yrs ago!”)