Rust-Free Restoration: 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe

We see our share of First Generation Mustangs here at Barn Finds. Considering that more than 472,000 of them rolled off the production line in 1967, that’s no great surprise. However, the challenge is to find a project car among those remaining that isn’t riddled with rust. If you’ve been looking with no success, your quest could be at an end. This 1967 Coupe is a rock-solid classic that has spent its life in a climate perfect for preserving classic steel. If that isn’t enough, its engine bay houses a healthy V8, making this a promising project. Located in Anaheim, California, the owner has listed the Mustang for sale here on eBay. They have set a BIN of $18,500 but may be willing to consider offers.

There’s quite a bit to unpack with this Mustang, but the news generally appears to be positive. I don’t believe its paint is original, and I think that someone has treated the car to a color change. Evidence suggests that it rolled off the line wearing Pebble Beige, and there are also signs of overspray that show a lack of care during subsequent touch-up work. The Mustang is presentable for immediate use, but there’s little doubt that a cosmetic refresh would make a world of difference. Whether that involves the existing color or a return to the factory shade is a joyous choice for the buyer. That brings us to the subject of rust. Or, in the case of this classic, a lack thereof. There may be a repairable spot developing in one lower corner of the passenger door, but that seems to be it. The remaining panels look spotless, and the underside shots reveal little beyond the occasional spot of surface corrosion. I would probably treat it to prevent further deterioration, but it isn’t a problem that demands immediate attention. The trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade car, although the next owner may choose to replace a few pieces to boost the appearance to the next level. There are no such considerations with the glass, which looks excellent.

If you haven’t already had enough good news, I’m willing to provide more for potential buyers. This Mustang’s engine bay is occupied by a C-Code 289ci V8 producing 200hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering. For those with an eye on outright performance, this car’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds is unlikely to set pulses racing. However, it could be worse. We could be dealing with the T-Code six that pushes that figure to 19.3 seconds. It’s also worth mentioning that this V8 appears to be in excellent mechanical health. The owner supplies this YouTube video which provides a walkaround and allows us to hear that sweet little V8 running. It sounds perfect, with no odd noises or signs of smoke. That opens the possibility of the buyer bolting on a few performance additions like a better carburetor and intake to squeeze a few additional ponies out of that motor. If they can swing a set of spanners, it’s the sort of work that the next owner could tackle in a home workshop. However, all of that could be in the future. If this Mustang is as mechanically sound as the listing suggests, it could be ripe for some immediate motoring fun with any upgrades occurring as time and circumstances allow.

The Mustang’s interior is serviceable and has no immediate needs. However, I would be willing to bet that a few of our readers won’t be fans of the cloth upholstery. It looks okay, with no rips, tears, or significant wear on the seats. There are a few trim mismatches that some owners may find distracting, and these issues may combine to motivate the buyer to perform a re-trim. The Trim Tag indicates that the car started life wearing Black Comfortweave, and combined with the original paint color, it would have given this ‘Stang a classy appearance. A trim kit will cost the buyer around $2,000 but would return the interior to showroom condition. The original radio has made way for a radio/cassette player, but I can’t spot any further additions. There is evidence that the original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, but the compressor and other components are missing from the engine bay. If the buyer lives in a warmer climate, it would be worth spending the money to reinstate the system.

While this 1967 Mustang isn’t the cheapest First Generation project car on today’s market, its price needs to be placed into perspective. I know for sure that you could go out today and buy a ’67 for less than the BIN on this car. However, you would have to question how much rust will demand attention before that car could be considered structurally sound. Sure, replacement steel is readily available and affordable, but it won’t attach itself to the vehicle. If you are a whiz with a welder, that’s no drama. If you’re not, you are suddenly facing the cost of paying someone to complete that aspect of the build. Now things are beginning to get expensive. Then there’s the drivetrain. This Mustang has what appears to be a healthy V8 under the hood that needs nothing. It would satisfy most buyers, but squeezing extra power out of that C-Code would not be difficult or expensive using bolt-on parts. Those factors combine to make this 1967 Mustang Coupe a tempting proposition. Is it one you might consider pursuing further?