Between the time of the Mustang’s mid-1964 introduction through the end of the 1966 model year, Ford built 1.3 million of the “pony cars.” Everyone had to be working overtime to achieve that kind of output, which may not have been replicated since. During its first full year in production (1965), more than 65,000 Mustang convertibles were built, including the seller’s tucked-away example. The seller has gotten it running, but it will need brake work and probably everything made of rubber replaced. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this Ford is available here on eBay where the no reserve auction stands at $7,800.
As the story goes, this Mustang was last on the road in 1980 and had accumulated 94,000 miles up to that point. For reasons unclear, the car found itself sitting inside the family’s rundown old barn until just recently. Given the situation, the vehicle may be in better shape than you might think, although the seller is suspicious of the condition of the floorboards and undercarriage. Sheet metal rust or other damage seems to have been held to a minimum.
The drop-top is being sold as part of an estate sale. It was repainted in its original burgundy color sometime before 1980 and the black vinyl interior is in good shape except for the driver’s seat, carpeting, and driver’s door panel. While the power top works fine, the canvas material on it needs to be redone. The photos provided show the car after it received a bath, so we don’t get to see it in its as-found condition after four decades.
With the replacement of the gas tank and some smaller items, the seller managed to get the 200 cubic inch inline-6 to fire up, and the car lot drives just fine. But the brakes are poor from sitting and should be reworked before venturing off the property. We assume the tires will all need to be replaced as well. Assuming that rust hasn’t decimated the undercarriage, this Mustang might be brought back to daily driver condition with a minimum of expense. But restored, it may have the potential of being worth several times the current bid, assuming that an I-6 will command anywhere near the same money as a 289 V8.
I could give lectures on the story of the Mustang’s development and launch. Some of the stories are true, some are not. I won’t bore you with all that, but I will say that the only reason Ford was able to build 1.3 million 65-66 Mustangs was because of Lee Iacocca. The closer the car got to production, the more Mr. Iacocca believed that the sales estimate of 100,000 cars/year that his team predicted was very low. Based on instinct alone, he ordered two additional plants to be tooled up for Mustang production, for a total of three. He put his career on the line, and he was right!
The Mustang has to go down as one of the most successful models in automotive history, outdone only by the Model T. I was a Junior in high school when the Mustang was introduced. One of my good friend’s parents got a ’64 1/2 coupe, white with red interior, 6 cylinder and three speed on the floor. 4-5 of us would pile into that car and cruise around.
I’ve been lucky enough to see the first Mustang sold at an AACA car show several years ago after it had finished a restoration. I also had the extreme pleasure of meeting and touring Mustang designer Gene Holdiman’s home garage in the Dayton OH area a year or two before he passed. What a gracious and knowledgeable gentleman he was!
Easy enough to pop a 289/302 and c-4 in it. I wouldn’t normally say that because I’ve grown to love the old 6s BUT a 200 is not much of an engine and dear God, to those that will say “you can build them for more power” i know i know. Lol
That’s a SMALL 6, not the 250 which is relatively easy to get well over 200 and up to 300+ if you want to spend the bucks. For my money this is a great engine swap car.
200 to 300+ horsepower
Yea Matt ez enough to convert to v8, but you woulld need a donor car for all of the parts, eng, tranny , rear etc. I converted my 65 falcon convertible. Sure makes for a fun project if you have all the pieces. But I would worry about the rust underneath that he talks about. If that sat in a dirt floor (run down old barn??) the underside is liable to be toast. Need to look it over good. Could be more work than you wanted. Presents nice but might be lipstick on a pig.
Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
All that is true but I’ve done several mavericks which in the end are the same thing. The parts are easy to come by and easy to install on that car especially. The floor or frame will have to be repaired no matter what you use, even the 200.
If your even decent at sourcing parts this is such an easy change over, I’d do it.
Looks to be a sweet ride once the mechanicals and rust are resolved. Being a convertible is gravy on top. Will not last long.