Nottingham, Maryland is not only the site of the annual life-size Candy Land game next weekend, but it’s also the home of this 1965 Mustang 2+2 “fastback” project car. It’s listed for sale here on eBay with no reserve and has reached $7,000 as I write. You’ll have to decide if Nottingham is the Chocolate Swamp or Lollypop Woods by reading the rest of this post.
In 1964, Ford set the automotive world on fire by introducing the Mustang. The long front-short rear sporty styling made people quickly forget the Falcon origins of the underpinnings and enabled arguably the most successful model launch in history. The 2+2 model was touted as having “style you’d expect only from Europe” and being “easy to fall in love with.” Of course, one of the most memorable Mustangs ever, the 1965-66 GT350, was based on the 2+2 model.
Although the ‘289’ emblems on the front fenders may bring a smile to your face, I’m betting the condition of those front fenders doesn’t. There’s no denying there is a lot of rust present. While the seller chooses not to elaborate other than that the car needs a full restoration, the piece of plywood that makes up the front floor says it all.
Looking on the bright side for a moment, it appears that at least two replacement panels are included in the sale–and anything that you need for repairs is certainly available. But plan on a lot of cutting and welding if you want to take this project on!
The car does appear largely complete and even straight, although the mismatched paint would lead one to believe there’s been an accident repair somewhere in this Mustang’s life. I’m pretty sure that’s Rangoon Red poking through from underneath — the color chosen for the 2+2 on the cover of the original 1965 Mustang brochure.
What’s this? A third pedal that looks original? And a Hurst shifter? I’m paying more attention now, although my welding hand is becoming jittery just from looking at the pine floorboard. Let’s quickly move on to the engine so I can still type!
I’m sure some of our more educated Mustang fans can tell whether this is a 260, 289, 302 or some other displacement Ford small-block V8, but the general neglected look tells me you’re going to pull it out anyway. Ok, you doubters, pretend this car is sweet enough that you’re willing to eat the candy and bring this car home. Let’s assume for a moment it’s the original 289 — would you restore this car to its V8/4-speed origins or would you restomod it with a later V8, perhaps even a Coyote engine? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
Ha! Equipped with the rare Pagoda dashboard, I see.
Dang it Dave, you made me spit soda on my key board……..
Har!
Jeez. Can we please have a moratorium on roached-out Rustangs for at least a few days? Hasn’t anyone who wanted one got theirs already? There really isn’t anything new under the sun with the repeated showings of trashed 65-73s and isn’t it hilarious that we have the factory brochure on this write-up to allow us to acknowledge how far the car being sold has deteriorated.
how bout airin’ up that hind tire? Guess its not gonna help sell this ruffian. Up to 10 Large. Looker over good. Know what you are getting into. Would be nice done. 289 4 speed very cool. Wore than this have been fixed. Good luck to the new owner!!
Cheers
GPC
Bidding up to 10K. I must not be as smart/knowledgeable as I think I am.
Cars-on-line.com. Completely restored 65 2+2 (really nicely done) 289 automatic with AC. Asking $33,500.
OR…your can buy this one for $10K +, restore it with what, another $70K and have a car worth have of your investment.
I have been watching the muscle car market since 1984. I am in the industry and have restored and owned many cars. I am sorry to say but our beloved muscle car hobby, price wise, is on the front end of the decline….those who are interested in these cars are literally growing old and dying, collections are going to auction and basic economics of higher supply, lower demand drives prices down. Restorations are VERY expensive.
Most of the young people today under the age of 40, much less 25, don’t have an interest, (younger ones don’t have the skills or the money) and the 25-50 year-olds who have interest and skills don’t have money either thanks to the recession OR raising a family / putting kids through 6-figure college educations.
I love this year Mustang with a V8 & 4 speed. Fastback = Awesome. The car is unfortunately a TOTAL ROT bucket! If the exterior rust and ROT is that bad IT IS WORSE underneath GUARANTEED. Not sure who is bigging 10K and beyond but wow. Even if you restored this car yourself with ALL your own skills it would still take $30K in materials or more….not to mention the MASSIVE amount of time plus the buy in. Buy in + parts (no labor considered) = already a financial loss.
Am I the only one who sees this car as a MAYBE a parts car….I don’t really even see many parts I would salvage off of it except maybe the drivetrain.
I am a big proponent of “Don’t crush em, restore em!” but there is unfortunately a thing called reality and a need to call “the time of death”. This car is not even a good “get it running and drive it” car. UGH!
Sorry, I’m done.
Tom, I’m right with ya! I admit, I am not a Mustang expert and I fall into the 50+ year old category with no money thanks to the recession AND raising a family (10 mo old baby). I return to the photos and see nothing redeeming except that which this car came with from the factory, and that is just a memory at this point. Rear sail panels have big speakers in them, those huge tires on the back probably did nothing to improve the condition of the springs, rear axle and shackle anchor points. The bends in the front fenders makes me think this was a disrespected mess of a 2+2 but now all of a sudden its an $11k ++++ gold mine???? Maybe if this was the mid-1980s the car would be “well bought” as they say in auction circles now. But then again, in the 1980s this would have a little more meat on its bones to work with and maybe ran out NICELY.
Litte_ Cars…..well said and thanks for letting me know I am not losing my mind. I am 53 and the recession bought everything I owned, including my small but very nice car collection, to keep my business going. Last of 3 in college. 1 just got married.
Daniel Schmitt & Co. Classic Car Gallery in MO. They have a “blow your mind” 65 2+2 automatic (I prefer 4 speed) but, similar color…..check it out. Asking $49,900 which in my estimation is WAY under (like HALF) what it took to get this car to this level.
I have been on Cars-on-line.com looking at a few 65 Mustangs “just because of this listing” and there are MANY amazing versions of this car for $40-50K, done.
I just don’t get it.
Big cheers to a 50+ guy with a ten month old. You rock! Had my last at 47
How much would a trip to Classic Industries for a whole new body in replacement panels, both inner and outer including floor pans run? From the pics, that’s probably the most cost efficient way to fix this 2+2.
If it were $500 I’d buy it & just drive it..cuz i like the smell of mouse pee
Sick but funny !!
Wow! I was sixteen when these cars came out and I’m still going strong. To say people who love these cars are dying off is completely ignorant. Twenty years ago they said the same thing about pre war cars yet people still want them and are willing to pay top dollar for them. Young people are always coming up to me and asking questions about my 64 Buick Riviera. These youngsters love these cars and many are saving their money to buy one. Interest in the old car hobby will never die, you can always learn from history, and hands on is the best way.
God bless America
Johnmloghry, I assume you are commenting about my comment.
First off I did not say the people who love these cars are dying off in that their “love for these cars is dying off”, the people today who love these cars and many who have BIG collections are physically dying off, dead, and the family doesn’t in most cases care much for “dad’s collection” and they auction it off.
Most cars from the 20’s to the 40’s don’t bring much money these days and have not for a long time, specific ones do but by and large the restoration market and buy/sell market on these decades are low.
64 Rivera is an iconic car and are loved by most, GM fan or not, so they always attract attention. Put a 64 LeSabre 4 door next to it and see which one gets more attention.
I did not say it is going to die. It is declining. I am not sure if you don’t understand the market TODAY or you don’t understand what “completely ignorant” means but your off on one of them. I have been watching the market for 35 years and have been right most of the time. I work and hobby in the automotive industry.
I am not happy that the market is declining. I planned on retiring in about 6 years at age 60 ONLY to start a different company restoring and selling classic cars full time and enjoying myself at a slower pace. Probably not going to be feasible due to the margin of profitability getting tighter on the cost of what it takes to restore these cars correctly and what the market will pay for them. Sorry, just facts.
I love the young people today who have the skills for excellence in restoration but they are FAR FEWER than were 20 years ago. Most kids don’t care OR have the work ethic or aim for perfection. Our world has created this condition.
The young people 20-40 who DO love these cars are coming out of school with 6 figure college debt, massive cost of living issues and as much as they want to buy their “classic dream car 64 Rivera”, financially, that is a LONG way off….maybe never. Sorry. Just facts.
You couldn’t have said it better, really. I peruse these pages to look at old iron I want to own. I’m 45, kids are grown and it’s just now becoming conceivable to have a hobby car. Planning to look for a Spitfire in a few months. Nothing special, really. Just a fun summertime car. But it’s a start.
@ grant…have fun locating a Spitfire. I was given one from a little ol’ lady school teacher who bought one new in 1970 and described it as having 20k original miles. It was free because it had to be extracted from a goat pasture! The chassis and underside of the tilt bonnet had their original chalk markings intact and the radio still worked. Otherwise, a ragged out piece of yard art.
Johnmloghry, I hope you are right.
I am 49, and I still love vintage cars. I always wanted a model T or model A. I also love early 1930’s cars with suicide front doors (so gangsta), and pretty much any vintage Packard, Cadillac, Buick or Chrysler. But my 25 year old boy really LOVES his Hondas & foreign luxury cars, the newer the better.
He rolls his eyes at the cars I enjoy just as much as I roll my eyes at his little dreamboats (I do confess to drooling over new Maseratis lol).
Someone needs to enjoy what is our automotive history. So I hope you are right, that there are some out there that are from his generation who likes the old stuff.
10k for a car that needs every body panel on it addressed!! Dynacorn body would be the best way to go on this car if the bolts can come out without the car falling apart!!!
HI TimM, Tom here. Your comments below, totally agree and totally cool. Like I said, I was not getting on your comment.
I too have 2 sons and a daughter and they are all “car guys” at heart. Age 20-27 they all drive newer versions of the classics from a 19 Charger to an 02 Monte Carlo SS and a Grand Prix GT.
I lost my car collection during the recession to keep my business going, a roof over their heads and 3 college educations.
I with my 3 have great memories of the cars too and I believe one day there will be more.
With the financial challenges in our world especially facing our kids I just don’t know if or when my kids or yours will have the opportunity that you and I have had in our years. I wanted to pass my cars down to my kids but I could not afford that. I hope you can pass your cars down to your kids.
I own an aftermarket business and a high end detail shop where my kids have spent many years around countless classics, detailing them and bringing them up to the next level for our customers. I hope one day they can have their own. My oldest son just got married, he has no school debt, just bought a condo and his new wife has 6 figure college debt twice over and want to have kids. Gonna be a LONG time before he gets his muscle car. I am hoping to leave him one before I die.
My overall comment is that the muscle car market is changing. Basic economics. A lot of supply is driving the price down and this time I don’t think, based upon: millennials, you and I getting older and older collectors dying off and climate change worriers…these awesome classics are not going to become more popular. Restorations are very expensive and the cars are currently at a market status where you CAN buy the car of your dreams DONE, AND done well, for HALF or less than what it would take to invest to restore it. I did not miss you point about the experience and the memories of doing the resto as I could not agree more.
I am not all about the money but I am about reality and feasibility. I restored one basket case and vowed to never do that again by starting with a better more solid car, just my approach. Frankly, it is less work and the end result IS better, not Frankenstein. If this mustang were the last one on the planet I guess we better try and save it. Its not and useable parts on it I will bet are few and will need restoration as well. By that point you could probably buy a NOS or repro.
I appreciate you my fellow car brother!
I’m really glad you have had the experience of working on cars with your children!! It’s some of my fondest memories of when my kids were young! My oldest son got bitten by the bug the worst! He couldn’t afford to buy a muscle car so he opted for a 1995 Nissan 240! (Not the Z car) he bought a SR-20 motor which is Japan only 4 cylinder 4 valve per cylinder turbo motor!! We did the swap together with a new wire harness and a 6 speed manual transmission!! It was an ambitious project for his first build!! The car is a blast to drive!! I totally agree with where you are coming from!! The cars of are era that are primarily parts cars are being sold at stupid money!! The Bullett mustang is a prime example!! If I had 3.75 million dollars I’d be retired!! I doubt all my assets together would amount to anything near that!! It’s a shame that our history is becoming such a big dollar hobby!! Mainly so it can be put in a building for people to walk around them gawk and dream!! American was the innovators! The hot rod was born here!! The big problem is that guys like you and me need to buy junk cause the labor we supply is the money we save!! I appreciate your comments and realize it wasn’t an attack!! I don’t attack anyone’s opinion either!! In my opinion it’s a cowardly thing to do!! You want to attack someone do it to there face not from your computer hundreds of miles away!! Hope you business does better and you can recoup at least some of the classics you lost during the recession!! Some thinks are more important than money!!!
i agree with TimM
cj ponys parts…Dynacorn Complete Body Shell Fastback 1965 $18,499.00
there now the work begins.
all you need are the rusty bolts and body tags…and 3 days to swap all the parts. maybe 4???????????
to bad 73 trans ams are not that easy::
Many New Parts: 1973 Pontiac Trans Am
Tim M and v, love your comments, this is not a personal attack, just my frustrated comments to this listing.
Let’s paint a picture. Buy the car and buy the Dynacorn body = $30K. The rest of the car is rotted out structurally, I guarantee it. Now you only need Interior, drive train, wheels, tires, brakes, electrical, chrome, emblems, trim, glass, body work, paint on and on and on…..what $80K +/-?.
Like I said earlier, this car done, for sale today, turn key and go to car show….$40-50K buys MIND BLOWING restorations. Check them on cars-on-line.com. That one at Schmitt Classics for $49,995 is concours. So nice I could not even bring myself to drive it. I’d have to park it in my family room.
Tim M, I guarantee you the bolts AREN’T coming out !! Well, maybe with a torch and in 2 pieces.
v – 3 or 4 days…..man you must be good! More like 3- 4 days to find out that it is going to be 3-4 weeks only to find that turning into 3-4 months. this car is a disaster guys!
I could see the effort to save if it was a Shelby or the car from Bullitt, or something like that but this is simply a once great car that is now terribly rotted, neglected and not even a good parts car.
Tom you are spot on with everthing. I couldn’t of said any better as ive been eyeballing this market since the mid 80s this is a 1,500.00 max and I’m give it a lot of head room being 2020. And u better havea shop, 10k plus in tools and 15yrs plus in the biz with lots of love on top!!
3 to 4 days was sarcasm. i have a box of bolts that are broken off. when i hit 80 years old im going to cash them in at the recycling mart and retire to florida. besides the car is only melted from the rear view mirror down. theres still hope cause the body tag is still intact i think.
I was being optimistic about a dynacorn body!! If you were already building a mustang from that year the parts like glass, interior, chrome trim all over the car and many other small nickel and dime pieces might save you some money!! However at the price point this car is at it will take a lot of nickels and dimes to get to that price!!! I would save them all if I could but I’d say 90% of the cars listed here and what they go for would make you upside down on the build!! Fortunately we aren’t all about the money!! If we were no cars would be restored!! Most of us here including myself do it for the love of the car!! I have 3 65 mustangs all bought as basket cases!! My 65 4 speed convertible I won’t ever get my money back and I know that!! But the time I spent in my shop with my two sons and my daughter will last in my memory for ever!! They all fight over the right to own or drive the car!! That love they have for what they did is worth more than money to me!! Hope this satisfies you Tom and I hope if you have children you can experience this feeling in your life!! Besides if there’s one good part on this car isn’t it worth salvaging it over seeing the car crushed????
Just another ole RUSTY OVERPRICED FASTBACK.
Nothing new here!
My first car was a 1966 Mustang so I have always had a special interest in the early Mustangs. I had the opportunity to buy a ’65 Mustang rust bucket, and though I knew it would be lot of work, I bought it for $200.00. Most ’65 Mustangs that have been driven in Wisconsin are basket cases and this one was no exception. Relying entirely on my own labor and some innovative techniques that I developed over my years of fixing cars, I restored it for $4000.00. This includes rebuilding the 289 engine. The results of my labors is not a show car but I am also not ashamed to drive it anywhere. To my surprise, I received quite a few compliments on “My Mustang” which I named the car. I chronicled my restoration of the car in a paper I titled ‘My Mustang’. If any readers are curious as to how I was able to accomplish this feat, contact me at my email address (bvm1@live.com) and I will email you a copy of the paper. If you do read the paper, I would appreciate hearing your comments.
Talk about rode hard and put away wet…
It’s up to 10 100…that’s better than 10 200… I think the owner is bidding against himself…
I really don’t know how to identify a 260/289/302 and all the bore and stroke combinations one could come up wIth by just looking at it, that air cleaner lid may have had a sticker on it but of no use now.
It’s an interesting car with the manual transmission and warm small Ford under the hood, red with black interior, I’m guessing the late eighties was the end of it for this one.