Introduced in mid-1964 for the 1965 model year, demand for the Ford Mustang “pony car” would soon peak at 607,000 units in 1966. From there forward (for the balance of the first generation), each successive model year would see fewer numbers of the sporty cars built. In 1970, just 7,673 convertibles were manufactured, and this example was 1 of 76 with the same engine/transmission pairing when new (per the Marti Report). This Mustang is a stalled project that is scattered across the garage where it resides in Manassas, Virginia. It’s available here on eBay where $5,300 has yet to crack the reserve.
We understand this Mustang drop-top was parked in 1983, but for reasons not mentioned. It has the “M” code 351 cubic inch “Cleveland” V8 (4-barrel carburetor) paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. That no doubt is where the “1 of 76” decoding from Marti comes from. The motor is said to be assembled “from carb to pan” but the block is dated coded 1972, so if you’re insistent on complete numbers-matching, this might not make you happy. But the heads and intake manifold are said to be born with. The car was equipped with a “competitive suspension” and a 3.25 9-inch rear end.
The seller has the car’s shaker ram air hood and related hardware, which would be installed in 251 convertibles to emerge in 1970. The only thing the seller says is still not somewhere on or near the car is the exhaust, but things like the steering column, interior (the deluxe version), styled steel wheels, Hurst shifter, and more are lurking. So, perhaps most of the car is there when it comes time to put Humpty Dumpty together again.
We’re told the body is decent, but the Ford will need some floor and quarter panel work. The seller says the frame rails, inner rocker panels, and torque boxes are in fine condition. The last time this convertible was together and running, it logged its 94,000-th mile. From what you see here, and the rarity of the machine in total, do you agree with the seller that this is “an exciting performance project?”
I can’t speak to the viability and do-ability of the needed restoration work, but for me it is (theoretically) an excellent car to restore. 351, 4-speed, shaker hood, good colors, nicely optioned. I can visualize it restored, and it would be an attractive and cool car.
I agree with Bob_in_TN. I care less for matching numbers on this one than the price I could pay, and the 351/shaker hood/4 speed is pretty darned attractive. Oh, and it’s a convertible!
Well if there were 76 of this particular car combo built, there is now only 75. I bought this exact car in red. 3514v, 4 speed, shaker convertible. Bought at a time when few if any cared. The car needed floor work and had other rust issues, so I parted it and scraped the rest. I replaced it with a 70 XR7 3514v, 4 speed hardtop that I drove for years. That’s another car that even today no one cares about, not an Eliminator, not worth the steel it’s made of. I guess this convertible would make a nice one now but after you procure the winning bid, shipping this will be a nightmare. I personally hate ground up restored cars, by that I mean, old complete running units that are ground up into 10,000 parts. Here a box, there a box, a door here, hood there, oh yeah and there is usually new tires and carpets to put where suspension no longer is and floors use to be.
Been there, done that !
Its a labor of love
It takes a lot of labor
You need good friends for that free labor
Did i mention labor ?
But
You can’t deny that these cars looked real good
And a topless is the only way to go on sunny drives
Yolo
My dad bought one in the 70’s, restored it and I got all the benefits on weekends. Disassembled cars like this one are a hard sell, but if you could verify all the parts are there it’s not that difficult if you know your way around a Ford.
Looks like it needs a little work.
If you are very familiar with the model, then maybe. These kind of basket cases are notorious for half the parts being missing.
Just roll her right onto your trailer. Oh, wait…
Get the thing on wheels for that reserve price.
I hate to be a broken record but I see these projects and look all the cost for parts and labor to put it back together at today prices it not worth it sorry
Went to $6,700 reserve not met.