In the mid-1960s, it was hard to drive a city block or two without seeing a new Ford Mustang. That’s because 1.3 million were built in a relatively brief period (Spring of 1964 to the Fall of 1966). And, next to the fastback or Shelby, the convertible is probably the one to look for today. This 1965 drop-top looks to have been sitting outside for years with a tarp over it, so you’ll have your work cut out for you in restoring it. But it’s an A-code (we think) 289 cubic inch V8 (4-barrel carburetor) as opposed to an inline-6.
Ford executives — particularly Lee Iacocca – were right on in thinking that there was a market for a sporty compact in the free-wheeling 1960s. But demand may have caught even old Lee off guard and the market was soon flooded with imitators (Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, etc., etc.). More than 100,000 style-conscious consumers bought a 1965 Mustang convertible (when you include the so-called 1964 ½ editions which were titled as 1965s). So, the seller’s car is not rare, but still not one that’s easy to find and hasn’t already been restored.
We don’t know the story of this car. At 78,000 miles, perhaps something broke under the hood and it was parked. Or the driver went off to serve his/her country and never came back. Whatever the case, perhaps it deserved a better fate, as all four tires appear to be flat, bringing the undercarriage of the Mustang closer to the dirt it sits on. Even the gas cap is gone, so all sorts of debris may have crept into the fuel system.
Rust may or may not be an issue and the paint is likely not original or even the same color. Much of the chrome trim has been removed and seems to be in the trunk. We’re not sure about the condition of the interior, but it looks to be good enough to warrant a thorough cleaning to see what may be amiss. The Ford wears a set of knock-off wire wheel covers, but there’s a box containing four or five originals that will go with the sale. Also, a spare axle is included.
If you’re looking for a Mustang to pour money and time into restoring, you need to go no farther than Norfolk, Virginia for this one. The asking price is $9,800 here on craigslist and you might need to bring a winch along with your trailer to get it all loaded up as who knows if the tires will hold air. Hopefully, someone will spirit this Mustang away so it might see better days. And thanks to Barn Finder Chuck Foster for bringing this tip our way!
What this Mustang has going for it is that it’s a V8 convertible. But remember there are hundreds, no let’s make that thousands, of first generation Mustangs “out there” for sale. Is an example like this, which has obviously been sitting for a long time and needs everything, worth the tons of effort and the tens of thousands of dollars to bring it back to usefulness? As opposed to one in better shape, which wouldn’t be hard to find?
For a data point, Autotrader Classics currently lists 549 1965-1966 Mustangs for sale. Which would typically include just cars in “pretty good”, or better, condition.
I got a chuckle out of the seller: “not driveable as-is.” I guess they had to state the obvious.
The story of this mustang? It was driven, parked for some reason and rusted.
The 289 badges are missing on the front fenders. Either it had a 6 banger to start with, or the fenders were replaced with the incorrect style.
Well the passenger side fender was replaced, it is a reproduction that was never painted and now has tons of surface rust coming through the black coating. Car was probably restored once before, also missing are the quarter panel trims unless it was one of the few with them deleted and then it would have had a pin stripe around the c-shaped body lines. The windshield washer reservoir isn’t right, originally it would have been a bag. Car is equipped with power steering. It also has the early style clip on door handles and window winders like the 1964 1/2 cars, but it has and alternator instead of a generator so it’s not a 64 1/2 just an early 65.
This one was on Barn Finds a couple months ago. Still for sale? Shocking!
Price is way to high considering you can buy a running and driving example for $12-15k +/- overall it could be a fun little toy to get going again
Norfolkin’ way, man!
Cut the price in half, then in half again