Just 18 months after the Ford Mustang made its debut in the middle of 1964, the one million-car rolled off the assembly line. The celebration in Dearborn must have been deafening as this car was the success story of the ‘60s. The convertible was popular because it gave the buyer an inexpensive way to soak in the rays while out driving. This 1966 ragtop, finished in what appears to be Springtime Yellow, has been sitting outside for many years and needs someone to come save it. It will need quite a bit of work and the buyer will have to secure a new title as its being sold with a Bill of Sale. Located in Summerfield, Florida, the Ford is offered here on eBay where the no reserve bidding has reached $5,100.
Because the public couldn’t get enough of them, the Mustang went mostly unchanged into 1966. It takes a keen eye to see that things like the grille, quarter panel ornament, gas cap or wheel covers that were a little different. There isn’t much under the hood that is likely to pop out as new, except an alternator was there now for ‘66 instead of a generator. The car still kicked butt at the dealerships, where 607,568 were sold for 1966, including 56,409 “standard” convertibles like the seller’s car.
This ’66 drop top looks to be mostly complete, but in rough condition given that it likely has been exposed to the elements in Florida for some time. There is evidence of rust, although the worst of it may be below and out of sight. At a minimum, the car will need floor pans and patches in a few places, including the frame rail directly under the battery tray (leaking battery acid, no doubt). The doors are said to open and close easily, which suggests no major structural issues. The car is sitting up on jack stands, which was a wise decision in a humid environment like the “Sunshine State.”
The convertible top is pretty much minus any canvas, which unfortunately exposes the interior to Mother Nature, too. The passenger bucket seat may be broken while the back seat looks mostly good, but the material is likely ready to crack and crinkle. The carpeting was pulled up long ago and there is a little surprise under the dashboard: a clutch pedal! Apparently, this car was converted from a manual to the automatic it is today, and they didn’t bother to remove the extra appendage.
A 200 cubic inch I-6 likely sits under the hood, the same engine I had in my ’66 Mustang coupe in the 1970s. With the automatic, it was relatively thrifty for the day, averaging 25 mpg on the road as long as I kept in at around 55 mph. The seller tells us that the tires match and are in good condition, which is an odd thing to say unless they’ve been changed recently. Otherwise, they should be hard as rocks by now.
The resale value for these small-engine Mustang convertibles seems to run between $9,000 and $25,000, depending on condition. This one is clearly on the low end of that spectrum and is going to need a lot of work. But completely refreshed, it would be a great car to drive around in on the weekends with the top down in nice weather. But don’t forget, no title.
Left outside to slowly deteriorate. Shameful!
Death Penalty Offence
You have to be kidding, $200. and you are still underwater assuming that the rusty stuff is salvageable. and then it might be worth $15K
Ok……I have to stop commenting on the crazy asking prices of what I consider to be total garbage. Yes, I’m an older guy I get it. But in my BEST days I wouldn’t pay $50.00 for this pile of crap……and I’m a Mustang guy (2 Shelbys).
What I see here needs to be placed in a crusher. Can you image the “to do” list on this beauty if someone actually buys it? Good Luck….your gonna need it big time.
True, are you born with a working brain you dont buy this, its not a car no more.
This car’s only worth about $500, and the amount of money needed for a complete restoration/restomod would be a helluva lot more than what the auction is at right now. I have to agree with Mr. Daniel Gavin. I don’t know who would buy this car, no matter how much you think you can save it. I’m usually the one that doesn’t like to say this, but………This car’s too far gone by the looks of it. It’d be cheaper to buy a brand-new 2021 Shelby GT350 Mustang than restore this one. At the time of my writing this, the bidding had reached $5,600 with 36 hours left. I hope the poor guy that buys her puts her out of her misery or resurrects her. Good luck, Future Owner.
I agree with you Daniel, that car is worth around 900 to 1000 tops!
unbelievable.
it’s up to $5600.00 today 2/11
As my grandpa used to say “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Wonder if the hi bidder knows how much work he is in for. Anything is fixable but wow. up to almost 6 large. I do see a lot of low feedback bidders, could be bogus bids. Anything is possible these days, shame to see in this condition. Stay safe and good luck.
Cheers
“a lot of low feedback bidders, could be bogus bids.”
Especially when they’re on eBay and Facebook!
Send to crusher ASAP, Stop paying outrages prices for junk, then maybe the prices will come down to reasonable $$. the potential and the present reality are two different things….worlds apart.
Do you have to be a member to list a car for sale .
Not Sure.
Almost 6K is insane. Either fake bids or someone looking for a VIN tag to re-tag another car?
Maybe someone with their own body shop? And time to do the work themselves? I’ve seen lots worse on this site that have been touted as being candidates for restoration.
The only way this car is worth over 5K is if it comes with a few boxes of new parts, expensive parts !!
I got a nice 69 fastback w/everything converted 4 a small block install, is my daily driver & is a looker. It has a 200 six w/a 66 shelby borg warner close ratio 4pd w/auto 2.73 gears then. It got 15 mpg [not 25], big blocks got 8-10, small blocks 10 -14pg. Write down ur miles & divide by gallons u idiots, none of this guessing Garbage. Get Real