Few trendsetters have been as popular as the Ford Mustang. Launched mid-year in 1964, the “pony car” is still in production today after more than 10 million copies have hit the road. This first-year edition is a project but is in running condition after being idle for three years. It’s offered by a dealer in Dallas, Texas, and is available here on eBay where the current bid is $2,850 (with an unmet reserve).
Lore has it that all Mustangs built before the Fall of 1964 were “1964 ½” models, but there were no such things. All of the popular ponies assembled prior to the start of 1966 production year were titled as 1965 automobiles. So even if you have an early Mustang with a 260 cubic inch V8, it’s still a ’65 (the 289 came along over the summer of 1964). The seller’s car decodes as having the 2-barrel version of the 289, which may have seen the largest number of installations.
According to the seller, this pony had been sitting for a while. However, thanks to a new gas tank, fuel pump, carburetor, battery, and more, it’s running again. But we don’t know if more is needed, but likely, such as the tires which look rather old (date codes?). The posted mileage is 55,555, but that sounds like a placeholder rather than actual. Interesting is that this ‘Stang has a ’66 gas cap.
The body seems good for 60 years and it appears some rust or damage has been repaired above the driver’s side rear wheel well. The red paint is the original color but not necessarily the factory application. The collection of photos doesn’t add up to a project that will give your body a lot of headaches.
I wasn’t aware that you could order a Mustang with a two-tone interior, but this one is red and black and needs a bit of attention. All black would be more common and better looking (IMO). A perk for dealing with this seller is that domestic shipping is included, but probably on an open car hauler (the condition of the Ford doesn’t warrant enclosed transport). If you’re looking for an early Mustang to restore, this could be a good one if the reserve isn’t crazy money.
Not the worst one listed, but it has some oddities. Who broke the crossbars off the Ford emblem? Why the ’66 fuel cap, and what’s with the garish interior? Hopefully the radio panel just looks hacked but isn’t. Blue block is wrong for 1965, so is the silly air cleaner – but I did that when I was a young whippersnapper – although I kept the original.
The body is a bit beat up and will need plenty of work. There is rust, but most of it is hidden. Do your homework (magnifying glass), get it cheap.
Check out the eBay ad. There are a lot of photos though none under the car. The trunk shows a little rust but not bad. A big plus, the seller INCLUDES FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the continental US if his minimum is reached. New tank and runs, but how well?
I just looked at the ebay listing and I saw photos of the underside. The photo of the inside of the trunk shows that the car was either a light blue or perhaps white originally.
My father came home with a 1964.5 Mustang. He complained frequently that they titled it as a 1964. He held that against the Govrrnment for a looong time.
False. All Mustangs produced prior to January 1965 (from April 1964 on) were titled 1965. Ford never made a 1964 model year Mustang.