Question: What 1960s new car sold nearly 1.3 million copies in its first 30 months? If you answered the Ford Mustang, you would be right as the auto was the sales phenomenon of the decade. Released in April 1964, the sporty little compact was dubbed a “pony car” and would lead to a bevy of competitors for years to come, retaining its top spot most of the entire time. This ’65 Mustang is a running project car that’s been treated to a newer V8 engine and automatic transmission. Needing more attention, it can be found in Wilton, New Hampshire, and is available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet at $9,350.
Lore has it that Mustangs built before the Fall of 1964 were considered 1964 ½ models, but that’s not so. Every Mustang that was assembled before the introduction of the 1966 models was titled 1965s. Some changes would be made along the way, such as migrating from a 260 to a 289 cubic inch V8 and shifting from generators to alternators. Since this Mustang once had a 289 2-barrel, we assume it was built after the Summer of 1964. That engine and the original C4 automatic have been replaced by a 302 with the same tranny, both from 1969. We’re told the car runs and drives (but not how well), so perhaps some tinkering is needed.
The gold paint looks to have been redone with some bodywork performed in the process. And it doesn’t necessarily match everywhere. It looks okay, but it doesn’t sparkle as you might hope. And the Mustang emblem is missing from the grille. The interior sports a new headliner and carpeting, but the upholstery is looking a bit tired (but certainly passable for now). The odometer reading is north of 84,000 miles and there’s a fair chance that’s accurate.
A fair number of new parts have been added to the Ford, including a new gas tank and sending unit, carburetor pieces, shock absorbers, brakes, and assorted odds and ends. This is a project you could drive while you work on it, but as long as perfection isn’t required, you should be able to take it out on weekends for the foreseeable future.
This is it for me.
Early notchback mustang, relatively rust free, with a small v-8 under the hood. Yes.
Nothing fancy but a nicely set up piece waiting to be personalized. The only thing I don’t like about it is that the motor is backed by a flush box, not a stick shift transmission. That situation is fixable.
Wonder where it will top out?
… price wise when/if sold.
I hope you win the auction & get this pony galloping beautifully…have a blast! I have a 66 w/ 289 V8 2 barrel…and it’s solid…wonderful piece of engineering…when America had it going on!!!
Another oldie but goodie, I agree. Make it your own.
While I believe based upon the photos that this car was built after mid August of 1964 when the changes were made that differentiate the ” 1964 1/2 ” cars from the 1965 models you CANNOT base this on the fact that it originally had a 289 engine. The 289 was available in the early production cars in three variations, the C code 289 2V, D code 289 4V, and K code 289 High Performance model which was released in June of 1964. The hood, left side headlight bucket, and horns all indicate to be the 1965 model parts as the 1964 1/2 pieces were different. The VIN shows it came from the same plant as my last car but the production number is quite a bit higher so my guess is that it was built somewhere between late January and early March of 1965.
Some mis-matched interior pieces too. The door panels are from a 1966 and the rear seat is from a 1967.
And the gas cap is from a 1968.
You certainly know your ‘Stangs, bro! I was gonna point all that out, but you beat me to it. Good eye!
No C code in early August
Thanks, I studied the differences for years, owned several different early mustangs, and still own my very first car, a 1965 K-GT fastback. But unlike a lot of people I am not exactly brand specific, fastback shares a garage with a 1970 Chevelle.
The cool thing about that knowledge for me means maybe a better buy-in price? It’s not original or numbers matching which works in my book because I’d be looking for a runner, not a trailer queen.
Now, if I only had the pockets to put in a bid … I’d swap it straight up for my clean 94 e320 wagon with a 3.6 AMG/Mercedes’ engine under the hood …
I’ve always been curious about that dorky fake chrome vent in back of the doors on the ’65 model. I have seen Mustangs without them, giving the car a cleaner look. Could you order the ’65 without them back then?
In 1965 only the GT and all the fastbacks came without that chrome piece on the quarter panel. In 1966 it was only deleted on the GT’s, fastbacks, and the special edition sprint 200
Now there was an option (that the Sprint 200 package included) that did delete the quarter panel trim, but that wasn’t all it did, it also added a single small pinstripe around the the C-shaped body lines, and it added the rocker panel molding. So on coupes and convertibles, unless it was a GT which had neither, it would either have the quarter panel trim or the rocker panel trim. The GT package or buying a fastback was the only way to have neither.
Interestingly enough, while you couldn’t order a non-GT car with both of those trims deleted, you could get one with both included. And there are a lot of those.
Thank you, Mark. At least the chrome trim piece on the ’66 appeared more refined, and actually looked like it belonged on the car.
Actually, the 289 was only available as the D code 4 bbl and K code solid lifter 4 bbl. No C code before August 17. The base V8 engine was the F code 260 2 bbl. Easily determined by looking at the VIN stamped into the inner fender, either side. The fifth digit is the engine code.
While your correct in what you are saying for 1964 1/2 cars. What you and alot of people commenting are missing here is that the seller never claims this car to be a 64 1/2. The barn finds article just mentions stuff about them. The seller only ever claims this car to be a C code 289 2-barrel 1965 model.
Small pea shooter exhaust out the back on this one I had a 65 with 289 3 on the floor could not burn out the wheel hop was terrible I never got traction bars before I sold it the guy who bought it rolled it the first week of ownership
Butchered dash for the radio. Alot of parts, different years. Good start for a Driver.
Butchered dash for the radio. Alot of parts, different years. Good start for a Driver. Driver quality
An honest, no frills 65 Mustang coupe. No power steering, no factory or dealer AC, no front disc brake conversions. Pretty basic coupe. I don’t think it’s value is much more than 10k. Anything north of that is gravy to the seller.
It’s not really that important that this low optioned 65 Mustang coupe doesn’t have a matching number 289. It’s not a very rare year, make and model anyway. And it sold for just abit over $10k, which is about what it’s worth.