The 1966 Ford Mustang has a place in my heart because I had one during my high school and college years. Mine was a coupe, but it had the same 200 cubic-inch 6-banger this one has, and it was a relief at the 1970s gas pump (post-OPEC oil embargo). This drop-top has been in storage since the 1990s and needs a full restoration, but it appears to be complete. Located in Rockville Centre, New York, this pony project is available here on eBay for $4,750 OBO.
Ford’s Mustang was one of the best-selling cars in 1966, finding more than 607,500 buyers. That was on top of hot sales in 1964 (1/2) and 1965. 12% of customers opted for one of the ragtop versions, of which 56,400 were the “standard” no-frills Mustang. The options list on this pony must have been brief, as a 3-speed manual joined with the little inline-6. This car’s original selected Nightmist Blue paint and that finish has been on the vehicle for 59 years.
A sticker on the windshield says this pony last galloped around 1990. It was parked indoors for unspecified reasons shortly thereafter, the engine having a probable 120,000 miles. This is said to be a numbers-matching Ford, which is important if you plan to restore as-is but less so if you’re thinking of going the restomod route. If you want to save the 200, there’s hope, as it’s not frozen after all these decades.
I wondered how much of an issue rust would be – until the driver’s side rear quarter panel came into focus. Since it’s all chewed away and this is a unibody car, how nasty things might get when you dive in deeper? The interior will need an extreme makeover, and I hope the dash wasn’t chopped to make room for the aftermarket stereo. The good news is that parts didn’t start to disappear the longer the Mustang stayed in a garage. This could be a fun ride once the dust settles – and your bank account has had a chance to take a deep breath.
parts
Sold already. With the sitting and high milage it may be a parts car. It would be interesting though if the buyer would attempt to start it and what occurred. I like the ‘will it run” videos on YouTube. Vice Grip did a yellow one similar. But that was sitting outside for years.
I hate to say it, but time to let it go. Unless you have a sentimental reason for this project & money is no option, part it out.
I agree, part it out. If it were a V8 factory car, I might feel differently, but the six, coupled to a “three-on-the floor”, really hurts the value as a collectible restoration candidate. If the rust is bad enough, an aftermarket body from Dynacorn might be a better option, but by that time, so little of the original car is left, you’re essentially building a new car from scratch anyway, so why not go whole hog, with a Ford crate motor and transmission anyway. At the point, all you have left is a rear axle and a driveshaft, so why not just put in all new parts and be done with it!
P.S. It’s been sold, as the E-Bay listing says so and the listing itself is gone.