When I first saw this 1966 Mustang Fastback, I thought it was a nicely restored classic. However, the truth behind this car is that this is an original and unrestored survivor. That makes its overall condition pretty amazing. This car seems to need nothing and should still turn heads wherever it goes. When you sift through the photos, you will struggle to find anything of which to be critical. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Jeff H for spotting this beautiful car for us. The Mustang is located in Rancho Mirage, California, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $55,000.
It is hard to determine what this Mustang’s strongest attribute is. As an unrestored survivor, it wears its original Signal Flare Red paint. This shines beautifully, with no significant flaws or marks. The paint covers panels that are as straight as an arrow, with no dents or bruises. It seems that this classic has spent its life in California, which means that its lack of rust is no great surprise. The panels look spotlessly clean, while the owner doesn’t mention any issues with the floors, frame rails, or torque box region. The exterior trim is excellent for a survivor-grade car, while the glass appears to be flawless. If you bought this car and rocked up at a Cars & Coffee, it is guaranteed to receive plenty of attention and favorable comments.
When we open the Mustang’s doors, we reveal a “Pony” interior that is nearly as impressive as the exterior. The carpet looks like it might be slightly faded, but this isn’t uncommon in Mustangs of this age. With little wear to consider, it would be hard to justify replacing the carpet unless the buyer is a perfectionist. The upholstered surfaces wear black vinyl, and apart from some minor stretching on the bases of both front seats, this appears to be in excellent condition. There is no wear on the outer edges of the seats and no evidence of physical damage. The dash is spotlessly clean, and the pad is free from cracks. There have been no aftermarket additions to this interior, with the original AM radio still holding pride of place in the dash.
Lifting the hood reveals a 289ci V8 backed by a four-speed manual transmission. It isn’t clear which version of the 289 we are looking at here, so its output figures are a matter of conjecture. I don’t believe that this is a K-code, so its output will either be 200hp or 225hp. If we assume that the lower figure is correct, it should still allow this Mustang to storm through the ¼ mile in 16.2 seconds. If this is the A-code motor, that figure drops to 15.5 seconds. The owner states that this Mustang is a numbers-matching classic. The engine bay presents well for a car of this vintage, with no evidence of long-term fluid leaks or other problems. The listing indicates that this car has 57,000 miles on the clock, but the owner doesn’t mention whether he holds evidence to verify this claim. The vehicle runs and drives well and is ready to be enjoyed by its next lucky owner.
We’ve seen our share of restored First Generation Mustangs over the years here at Barn Finds, but finding an original survivor that presents so exceptionally well is a rare treat. This car appears to need nothing, and the owner’s asking price reflects its overall condition. I’ve checked my wallet carefully, and I don’t have the money to buy this classic myself. However, I suspect this owner will have no trouble seeing this classic head off to a new home very soon. Would you be interested in pursuing this one further?
I remember a guy brought a brand new one by our neighbor’s
place in that light metallic Blue color.Their son & I enjoyed a ride in
the back of it,in those days before most people used seat belts.
Good times!
Original paint?
The original paint on these cars didn’t even look this good in the showroom.
Original? Where’s the trim in the c-stripe that the ’66 Mustang is supposed to have? This car may not have been “restored” but it’s been worked over.
1966 Mustangs did not offer “C” stripes . They were 1967 and 1968 options.
I believe he’s referring to the C-shaped side sculpturing. 65/66 Mustangs have a fake scoop in that area in front of the rear wheels (exc. on cars with the optional pinstripe). Since this car has neither, it has apparently had SOME work done.
I gotta say I am SO over the Mustang. I think I’ve seen every Mustang on this planet twice over. This site should be call the Old Mustang Site. Enough already with the GD Mustang!
BUT…..when I see a ’66 fastback, I remember how jazzed my 8-year-old self was when I first saw one in 1966. OK, I’m good now, enough GD Mustangs!
This strikes me as “professionally restored in the 1980s and lovingly cared for ever since.”
Back in the 1970s, Popular Hot Rodding magazine did project car series with a Mustang that looked like this one. Even though I was a die hard GM person who professed to hate Fords, I began to first appreciate the fastback and never tire of seeing them on BF.
Terry, there was no trim in the C cove on the ’66 fastback. Only the coupe and convertible had the 3 fingers trim.
I was at a Sunday-sell-your-car event in Los Angeles a long time ago and a young guy who said he was a student looking to raise his tuition fees was selling one of these in excellent shape. I offered him two grand but he told me two and a quarter was as low ast he would go, so no deal. Shame because the fastback is the only Mustang I haven’t owned. I hope he graduated. This one looks nice but overpriced (just like the one I didn’t buy, so I’m not qualified to give advice).
Not sure what the seller means when he claims this is a numbers matching classic.
Only the K codes had the VIN stamped on the engine block in 65 and 66. This is clearly not a K code – so there is no number to match on the block.
Having said all that, this looks like a really nice example. $55K is probably a little rich – but someone is going to get an outstanding car. And the price will probably seem like a bargain in a few years.
There is no VIN on the block or heads, but there’s always a date code. It’s generally accepted that items within three moths of the car’s build date are original.
No, it’s generally accepted that such an engine is correct. But not original. Big difference in value.
The insanity continues…