Although Ford Mustangs built before the Fall of 1964 are often referred to as 1964 ½ models, the reality is that all of them produced before the 1966 model year were titled as 1965s. So, when the seller refers to this pony car as being a ’64 ½, that should mean it was assembled either in the Spring or Summer of 1964. This auto has had the same owner for 25 years, but it’s spent most of that time in a barn, although started periodically. It’s available in Beavercreek, Oregon, and here on craigslist for $8,400. Thanks for the FOMOCO tip, T.J.!
Lee Iacocca was the man behind the development of the Mustang, and it was not his only success story (such as the mini-van at Chrysler). The car was developed using the Falcon platform and the 1963 Falcon Sprint looked like a dry run for the Mustang to a lot of people. The car would become Ford’s hottest new auto since the introduction of the Model A in 1928. Unique to the so-called 1964 ½ Mustangs was a 170 cubic inch inline-6 versus a 200, a 260 V8 instead of a 289, and the use of a generator rather than an alternator.
The seller’s elderly father has owned this early Mustang for 25 years and after decades of little to no activity, it’s time for the Ford to move on. It’s a rather basic Mustang with a six-banger under the hood (a 170?) and a 3-speed manual transmission. We’re told the motor was rebuilt some years ago (mileage unknown). Though it’s been living in a barn, it has been started periodically and – as a result – is said to be a good runner and driver. But I would have to wonder about the condition of things like the brakes and tires.
The body looks solid, and the seller admits it could use new paint, though I would try some soap, water, and wax before throwing in that towel. Other than the headliner and carpeting, the interior looks to be more than passable. As far as projects go, this is one of the nicer Mustangs we’ve run across of late and those were offering for more money, but they were also V8s. I had a ’66 Mustang with a 200 I-6 and it got pretty decent gas mileage, so this would be a classic you could afford to drive more than trailer.
67 hubcaps
Looks like Russ in the background with the dog!
Thanks so much for the explanation of a 64 1/2. I know for a fact you are correct and when I tell people, they just don’t believe it. I don’t know what started it, but everybody thinks it’s true. Lee Iacocca, was just smart in the way they introduced the car. Gale Halderman who was the head designer told me there were a lot of little things that were not correct on the early ones, but the rush to get them out, they just winged some of it.
The new Mustangs also came with a letter from Iaocca thanking the first buyers for purchasing the new model car. I had one with the 260/generator powerplant and a 3-speed
manual. hindsight is 20/20, wish I still had it.
Why do the shock housing’s in the engine bay look like someone took a hammer to them? Could it be to make a big block fit in there at one time ? I would love to get feedback on this one.
My first car was this in dark blue. Loved it.
Gone. could hava good deal good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
I bought one of these… 64 1/2, with a 6 cylinder. From the original owner (a friend). It had VERY little use, and came to me in almost showroom condition. Me and my family hated it. It was SO gutless. We didn’t keep it very long.
Deleted by author. No doubt sold at that price.
Perfect for the era of $5 a gallon gas.
The sort of car I would have purchased back then.