Restoration projects can stall for many reasons, and this 1966 Mustang is a perfect example. Purchased as a father/son restoration, everything ground to a halt when the father experienced some significant health issues. The Mustang was then pushed to the back of the family garage, and that’s where it remained for the next 15-years. The son has now decided to part with the vehicle, which is located in Mishawaka, Indiana. It has been listed for sale here on eBay, and bidding has reached $4,900 in what is a No Reserve auction.
Being finished in a color as dark as Nightmist Blue, it is very hard to see if there are any issues with rust in the lower body extremities of this classic. The seller makes no mention of any problems in this area, but he does say that the floors are solid. Therefore, this is a Mustang project that shows a lot of promise. The external trim and chrome is all present, and by and large, it looks like it is in really nice condition. The exception might be the rear bumper because I’m undecided whether it might have a very slight bend in it. The owner says that all of the glass is original, and is free of cracks, chips, and wiper marks.
Under the hood of the Mustang, we find the 200ci 6-cylinder engine that produces 120hp. Backing this is a 3-speed automatic transmission. This might not be the most desirable of packages for those who yearn for a V8, but it is still a competent and bullet-proof combination. After sitting for 15-years, you would be forgiven for thinking that there might be a bit of work ahead to return the Mustang to a roadworthy state. Fear not, because this work has all been completed. The car has been fitted with a new fuel tank, along with a new fuel pump and new carburetor. The shocks are new on all four corners, while the brakes received new wheel cylinders, new brake shoes, and one new brake drum. Add in a new heater core, a new water pump, and all new hoses, and the Mustang is now well and truly roadworthy. The seller says that the motor starts very easily, with no smoke or odd noises. The Mustang is said to also drive nicely, with the steering and suspension feeling nice and tight.
If I were to buy this Mustang, the first thing that I would do with the interior would be to have it thoroughly and professionally cleaned. Once that was done, I’m pretty sure that what I would be left with would be an interior that wouldn’t present too badly. When I look around inside the car I get the feeling that a replacement set of covers on the front seats, along with a new carpet set, would have the interior looking pretty good. The dash is original and unmolested, while the pad appears to be free of any cracks. The headliner looks like it needs little more than a clean, while the door trims, rear seat, and all of the rear trim, appears to be in good condition. The interior also features a full-length console, and this looks like it would restore very nicely.
Sometimes stalled projects can be a nightmare because if a car has been slightly or completely dismantled, then confirming that all of the parts are present can be a difficult and time-consuming process. That’s why it is these sorts of stalled projects that have an attraction to so many people. There is no reason why the car can’t be driven and enjoyed immediately, and if the rust-free claims are accurate, then there really is no reason to hurry to complete the restoration. Of course, the next owner might choose to abandon the whole concept of restoration and retain the Mustang as an original survivor. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that is the ultimate fate of this car.
Looks like more of a conserve & drive than project car. Just be ready for a trans rebuild when the fresh fluid flushes out the gunk to clog it up.
Nice just clean up and drive, throw out Walmart wheel covers and get period correct
Hate to hear someone losing a nice project from health issues..beautiful car and I hope it brings much more $
Looks great! Just right for my niece
too. Doesn’t need much work either.
Those 200 6s are really easy on gas
and are damn near bulletproof. It’s a
shame that the 6 cylinder cars are over
looked by Mustang enthusiasts who want
a rip snortin’ V-8 when a good reliable 200
6 will do. I really like the price too. It won’t be long before it finds a new home–
just wish it was mine!
ya’d think, but no 16 – 21 MPG
may B 2 – 4 better than the bent8?
These weren;t the mileage daze. Now tq? Yes !
comes in nice’n low @ 1500RPMs…
Throw a VI alu head on it & get 4, 500 HP. Turbo &
get the 200 to 6, 7K RPM? Now your talkin, but not a gas miser
Sad story. I hope he does well with the sale. I am sure the exposure from BF will help.
Nothing says “I care” Like a Fram oil filter.
If that 6 cyl runs long enough to reach normal temp, why does the block appear to have moss or algae growing on it ??
Too bad I’m too far away to take a gander! The price is right and in decent shape. If I buy the car, I’d do the following: Clean up the interior, replace the headliner, seat cover, carpet. Clean & flush both the engine trans, tune up with plugs, wires…. redo the brakes, steam clean the engine… and I’d go.
Beautiful car and man, look how easy it is to work on that engine! Back when it was just plugs and hoses and belts. Love it. Is the headliner stained or just the way the photo is? If stained, is there a water leak? I’d be tempted to clean it, flush it, tune it, and drive drive drive!
My first car was a 65 with the same engine. Tuned up with new wires, points and plugs, that 200 is so easy to work on and really reliable too, as well as good on gas. I’d clean this one up and drive it. These were prone to rust in the suspension area, so would double check. Too many projects now though.
Buy it if you can, repair it if you can, drive while you still can.
God bless America
I’ve done two 1st generation Mustang I6/V8 swaps. It gets pretty involved and pricey. I’ve always wanted to build a BMW smooth and powerful 200/250 Ford I6 if not to save a lot of cash… just to have fun making HP out of the six cylinder and pop a few eyes open at Cars and Coffee.
The sweet setup would be the 250 with higher compression pistons, mild cam, three Weber side draft carbs and a dual 3 into one header on THIS Aussie style head:
http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/1804-finally-a-performance-cylinder-head-for-ford-six-cylinders
Straight 6 cylinder speed parts are not cheap. & are there really enough classic cars still running straight 6’s left today & owners who would be even interested in making these changes? Such changes could even decrease the value of an expensive restoration.
I sure as hell don’t see a head like this in the future for the Chevy straight 6. How many Chevelles, Novas & 1st & 2nd gen camaros still have strait 6’s in them?
Wouldn’t multiple carburetion kill the mpg on a strait 6?
& wouldn’t the exhaust sound be annoying?
I would just like to see a reasonably priced EFFICENTLY designed cast iron exhaust & intake manifold avail for the chevy strait 6.
I liked the lines of these early Mustangs. They were so classic and the beauty was completely lost on the later generations. My introduction to the early Mustang was in 1968 on the Copperbelt in Zambia where some young guys had a convertible and used it to tow a boat to Lake Kariba at weekends. Brave lads.
Huge
Is this still for sale?
Its on Ebay for 2 more days
Nice car in reasonably good condition at a good price!! My best to the owners, the old one as well as the new one!!