As 2024 draws to a close, the world is slowly recovering from “Taylor Swift-itis.” The Pennsylvania-born singer wowed audiences across the globe during her “The Eras Tour,” earning millions of dollars through the sale of concert tickets and merchandise during a showbiz juggernaut that commenced in 2023 but grew beyond all expectations in 2024. “What does that have to do with the 1965 Mustang?” I hear you say. More than you might initially expect. Like Swift, the Mustang enjoyed success in 1964 but sold in unprecedented numbers in 1965. Our feature car is from that model year and is a tidy driver offering scope for a potential restoration. However, the new owner can enjoy the car immediately as they contemplate their future strategies. Our own Russ Dixon spotted this Mustang here on eBay in Putnam, Illinois. The seller set their BIN at $14,995 OBO for a turnkey classic.
Ford unleashed a monster when it revealed its First Generation Mustang. Still smarting from the Edsel disaster, the company needed sales success to reassure investors that the company was in sound health. The Mustang delivered, with Ford selling 121,538 cars in 1964. However, that was the mere tip of the iceberg, because an incredible 559,451 buyers clamored to own one in 1965. The tally would climb further in 1966 before tapering during the remaining years of the First Generation production run. The seller claims that this Coupe sports a rare paint combination, and I admit that this is the first that I have seen in Poppy Red with its top finished in Wimbledon White. I am unwilling to make a definitive call on the rarity, and would probably rely on a resource like a Marti Report to reveal the truth. The seller confirms that the Mustang received a repaint in its original combination years ago, with the photos suggesting that it presents well as a driver-grade classic. The paint is nice, the panels are straight, and there are no visible signs of rust. However, just because it isn’t visible doesn’t mean that this Mustang is rust-free. I always encourage in-person inspections, because it typically reduces the chances of someone splashing their cash on a car with problems. I am not suggesting that there are issues, but believe that the time spent going over any classic with a fine-tooth comb is a cheap investment. The front pumper exhibits deteriorating chrome, but the rear is relatively new. The remaining trim is in good order, and the glass is clear.
It is unclear whether this Mustang is numbers-matching, although the VIN and seller confirm that the engine bay houses a C-Code 289ci V8 producing 200hp and 282 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic handles shifting duties, and while the seller sends mixed signals on the subject, it appears that this classic doesn’t feature power steering. This combination is the least potent in the 1965 V8 Mustang world, but extracting additional power from the 289 is easy and inexpensive if the new owner isn’t focused on originality. The seller indicates that the brakes require adjustment or attention to work at their best, but this is the only identified mechanical fault. Otherwise, they say that this classic runs and drives well.
I would classify this Mustang’s interior as clean and serviceable, but it is far from being factory-fresh. The first owner chose to team the exterior paint combination with Parchment interior vinyl trim that would have looked stunning in its prime. Interior retrims for these cars are amongst the cheapest in the classic world, and this is a path that I might follow. There are no major faults, but with the headliner and back seat both requiring attention, a complete refresh would retain color consistency across all surfaces. Potential buyers will undoubtedly welcome the air conditioning, and the original AM radio should relieve boredom on long journeys.
One of the greatest challenges posed by the 1965 Mustang is locating a roadworthy V8-equipped example for under $20,000. They are undoubtedly out there, but prices are typically higher than that figure. This one is far from perfect, but it appears to be a sound foundation for a DIY restoration if the buyer wishes to lift its presentation to a higher level. That leaves me wondering what the majority of our readers would do. Would you enjoy this classic as the tidy driver it is, or would treating it to some TLC be irresistible?
There are tons of first gen Mustangs out there. Too many are rust buckets, of which too many owners think are worth more than they are. But thankfully there are plenty of driver condition examples, like this eye-catching coupe. While they are not terribly expensive, one does have to pay for a decent model.
It sure would be nice to have Marti-type data available on these first Mustangs. But, we don’t.
Thanks Adam, author of many good write-ups (even if they contain Taylor Swift references….). Just poking at you Adam, we appreciate and enjoy your work.
Author is trying to say Taylor Swift enjoyed success in 1964?
That was a far bigger act from Liverpool. And for all the Mustang hype, GM reached 50% of the North American market that year.
The big seller that year was the Impala.
The ad never mentions it, but that is a vinyl top, not a Wimbledon White painted top. And that would be correct for a 1965 mustang with white interior. Not a whole lot of people ordered the vinyl top option, and even fewer still have them today. I have a 1965 GT coupe that was ordered with the vinyl top. The chrome trim at the roof/quarter panel is the factory piece that finished it off in the rear and is held in black by three studs with nuts through three factory punched holes. The front has painted metal trim pieces at the base of the windshield, so that the vinyl top completely covers the pillars.
Oh and along the drip rails there was a metal piece pop riveted down in there to hold the sides . Almost forgot to mention that. That’s a lot of times how you can identify a factory vinyl top car because by now most of them have had the vinyl removed and just were repainted like they never had the vinyl top.
I’m not convinced that is a vinyl top on the car. Maybe the car originally had one, but I believe the top is a paint job.
For one, the roof lines around the back glass appear too crisp to be vinyl. And two, the vinyl top on the mustang I had in high school had a seam running fore and aft a few inches from the drip rails on the sides. I don’t see any such seams on this car.
Up until the mid ’90s you had to pull the quarter trim from another car if you wanted a vinyl top. But some time in the’90s someone started selling aftermarket trim pieces.
Taylor Swift, unfortunately , was around long before 2023. I suppose if a good pro football player ended up buying this car, then there would be some commonality.
Oh my!……That color!
65’s had the Falcon instrument cluster, 66’s had the the 5 pods,but this is way underpriced and a good buy.
I will give the seller credit for including enough good photos to evaluate this Mustang online. They took close ups of the blemishes and problem areas and included underneath shots as well. The car has some problems, but almost nothing is insurmountable with the full kit of Mustang reproduction parts available. An in person inspection is best to really get the full picture on rust issues, but I agree that the pricing seems to be in the right negotiable range for a DIY restoration and hours of fun in the home garage.
First thing I noticed was the heater core has probably left the building, but you can replace that in the AutoZone parking lot if you need to.
I paid the same price for a 65 a couple of years ago. Just about the same condition and options, with exception that mine is Caspian Blue w/ PS and console. Been throwing money at it ever since, and have it just about the way I want it. Great to drive, looks good, but still needs cosmetic attention underneath.
If it had power steering you could see the filler neck sticking up behind and outboard of the A/C compressor. If the A/C is factory (it’s hard to tell dealer installed from factory installed) there should be a tag on the pax side inner fender in engine compartment thathas A/C embossed on it.
I definitely agree with Mark F., it’s a vinyl top. Just look at other pictures of 65’s with vinyl tops and you’ll see all the same lines, markings, etc. as this car.
While Mark F seems to be pretty knowledgeable on the subject, I have a tendency to agree with MitchF, it just doesn’t appear to be a vinyl roof. I would tend to think that a seamless vinyl roof would be something of a rarity. That being said, it does look like a fairly nice example.
Well it is possible that it was a vinyl top car that someone removed the vinyl and rather than paint the whole car only painted the top, but that wouldn’t be an original paint scheme.
I cannot find a single picture of a 65 Mustang two tone, nor an order number for one. Looks to me like the only way to get different color top from factory was vinyl.
Very nice clean Mustang v8 with a/c. I would get rid if that tailpipe extension!!
Henry Davis, I believe you are correct. I too have been unable to find anything indicating that a two tone ’65 Mustang was available.