I’ve posed a legitimate question with this 1966 Mustang GT Convertible, and it will be interesting to gauge our reader feedback. The owner located the Convertible about 2-years-ago languishing in a barn. It had occupied that spot for around 25-years, but he has dragged it blinking into the light of day. After ensuring that it was rust-free, he treated its V8 engine to a rebuild. The car runs and drives well, and the buyer will need to choose between a cosmetic refresh or reveling in the classic motoring experience behind the wheel of a shabby but cool classic. Located in Cotuit, Massachusetts, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on eBay. Subdued bidding has pushed the price to $10,500, but this remains below the reserve. The owner also offers a BIN option of $31,900 for those who can’t wait to get their hands on this classic.
There’s a fair bit to unpack with this Mustang, and it isn’t easy to know where to start. It seems that the majority of its Nightmist Blue paint is original, but the owner admits that the rear quarter panels wear fresh paint. This probably stems from the recent rust repairs, as the lower regions on the driver’s side had developed the usual rust problems. The owner also states that the floors, trunk pan, and rear-wheel wells received the same treatment, returning the car to a rust-free state. A few minor bruises and marks remain, but if the buyer plumps for a cosmetic refresh, addressing these should prove a walk in the park. The White power top looks good for its age, as does the chrome and distinctive GT trim pieces. There are no issues with the glass, and the factory styled wheels wear new narrow whitewall tires.
The owner acknowledged that he tried to keep the Mustang’s interior as original as possible, but some items had deteriorated beyond an acceptable level. Therefore, there are new door trims, a carpet set, a dash bezel, and a new shifter. He refreshed the painted surfaces in the correct colors and cleaned everything thoroughly. If the next owner seeks a showroom fresh appearance, there will be more work and financial expenditure required. However, with no rips, tears, or other significant problems, the interior remains fine for a driver-grade car. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the factory AM radio, wood-rimmed wheel, console, and the highly-desirable Rally Pac gauges all add to this interior.
Lifting the Mustang’s hood reveals an A-Code 289ci V8 that produced 225hp in its prime. The car also features a four-speed manual transmission and front disc brakes. Ford offered more potent packages in 1966, but with a potential ¼ mile ET of 15.5 seconds and a top speed of 123mph, this classic offered a rapid wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. When the seller located this Convertible, it had been sitting in a barn for around 25-years. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it needed plenty of TLC to return it to a roadworthy state. He didn’t spare any expense in the process and has receipts to verify the work. He sent that sweet little V8 for a professional rebuild, adding an upgraded camshaft, electronic ignition, and a carburetor from a Shelby GT350. For those concerned about originality, the factory carburetor is also included. The entire braking system is new, including the lines. It looks like there may be a new fuel tank and a fresh dual exhaust. Any electrical gremlins have been eliminated, and this GT is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. There will be nothing for the buyer to do but slip behind the wheel and hit the road in search of sunny days.
If you were the winning bidder on this 1966 Mustang GT Convertible, what would be your approach? It seems that it would represent a fairly straightforward restoration project, and a fresh coat of paint would have it sparkling and capable of turning heads wherever it goes. Leaving it as-is would achieve a similar level of attention, but it could be from a different group of enthusiasts who appreciate the “survivor” look. It is a car that leaves me torn because I can see merit in both approaches. It will be interesting to gauge reader feedback and to see whether the majority would restore it or whether they would leave it untouched. Please leave your comments below, as this could prove interesting.
Alright, I’ll go first: As can be seen from my moniker, I trend toward non-American, but I do love nice Mustangs (and Corvettes, as well). I would keep it as is. It’s serviceable and looks kind of bad-ass. It can always be upgraded at any time should the market dictate.
I vote: FINISH the restoration. I think the majority of this demographic would give anything to shed 20-30 years from their current age. Why not fulfill your impossible dream via restoring this 56 year old beauty back to where you’d like to be?? GLWTA!! :-)
Perfect set up for spirited motoring. 4sp, w Rear gear 3.00:1 ideal for hwy cruising also. Nice Ford here for somebody.
If it’s rust-repaired and runs, drive it and enjoy it. Clean it up as you go.
Once I was done looking at the photos of it, I had to turn my head away from the screen to confirm I don’t have cataracts…..in my early 40’s. Seriously, who are the people bidding on and buying cars like this, sight unseen, based solely on photos like this?
Is it just me, or is the instrument bezel hanging out of the dash?
It could eventually fetch “good auction money” if the restoration was finished, but I’d want a close personal look at the metal patching that’s been done.
As with any older classic, if you can’t go through it yourself with a fine-tooth comb, hire a quality PPI appraisal company to inspect and note every flaw.
1st thing I’d do, is cut a hole in the hood, and put 2×4 barrels on it,,,see how silly that is? Someone checked just about every option box EXCEPT the 2 most popular options of the time, P/S and P/B. While P/B can be done without, P/S is a must. Someone thought that by eliminating those options, the car would go faster. The amount of hp a P/S pump takes is well worth the convenience of P/S. When was the last time you drove a car without it. Mmm-hmm, cool find, this was Americas answer to the top down roadster, kind of, all it needs paint, good luck with that.
In stock form, powersteering isn’t all that necessary. lightweight, small, skinny tires and a big steering wheel were all that you needed. Add bigger wider tires and a small, aftermarket steering wheel, then, yeah. As far as brakes go, front discs at least, 4 wheel discs better, then power boost.
The motor is light weight if it was a 427 or some big block I would agree.
Howard, agree on PS and fortunately, with today’s electric power steering conversion kits, including ones sold specifically for first gen mustangs, power steering has gone from a big challenge to relatively simple. Electric PS also takes away far less engine power. No new belts or pulleys, and virtually hidden under dash.
Google the VIN# and you’ll find the original listing where he bought it – Came from Missouri… kinda scary looking then. Overall he’s done a nice job, looking at the then/now pics – originally I thought his price was a bit much… but now seems perfectly reasonable.
Yes! This one was featured here on Barnfinds:
https://barnfinds.com/classifieds/1966-ford-mustang-gt-convertible-a-code-4-speed/
Glad to see it is back on the road!
Yeah it was definitely a mess.
So given what the repairs must have cost the ask seems a bit more reasonable relative to the probable cost to repair the manifold problems that water had done to the car. If I had sunk all that money into the car I would have repainted it………I mean at this point obviously originality is not its selling point.
I do like the GT and what’s better than a 4 speed and a top that goes down in an early Mustang? Other than a fastback . Bring A Magnet
Does anyone know the VIN? Was it built at the Edison plant?
This Mustang is perfect just the way it is.
You can use it as a daily driver and enjoy the hell out of and if it gets a door ding or a stone chip it’s not the end of the world
Drive it! That Mustang has many options the Exhaust system, Pony interior, Rally Pac, GT instrument cluster and wheels plus its a convertible. Detail it and leave the car alone.
This was my late wife’s favorite car. It’s got everything she wanted too.
To late now baby. I love you.
God Bless America
May god bless you and your deceased wife
Yolo
Thank you Claudio. It’s been 11 months now. She passed last April 20. I can’t begin to tell how much I miss her.
John, sorry to hear about your wife. I hope you find peace knowing that one day you will be reunited with her (at least that is my belief).
Maybe you should get the car in her honor.
I tend to like my toys all dolled up, shiny & looking pretty. But I think I would leave this as it is. It doesn’t look real bad, and if need be, you can always paint it in the future.
Like someone else said, rock chips just don’t matter as much on a vehicle like this.
Thank you Stevieg.
Her remains are resting in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston. When I’m gone my remains will be placed with hers as I served during the Vietnam war. And yes I t also believe we’ll be together again in Heaven.
God Bless America
The last 2 years have been hard for all of us but sadly more for you …
Live with her memories
But never forget that you must create more of your own now
It is not selfish but certainly easier said than done
I hope that the spring will give you strength and help you smile again
Take the car out for a spin and appreciate the privilege and joy that you had together
Yolo
It’s worth buying and finishing which would cost about another $20,000 or less dependent upon the metal work done to it. I am wondering why the carbuerator was replaced with a 715 Holley, yes 715 not 750, because that is the carb used on 1965-1967 Shelby GT350s. They are great carbs that love gas when calibrated right! The options that it has i.e. steering wheel, rally pack guages, two tone interior and 4 speed makes it a desirable pony.
One of my first cars was a ’66 Mustang, 3 spd., 289 c.i. Not as well appointed as this but a neat car. I ask myself if I would want the car back, or a similar car back. No. I had fun with it, loved it and watched it get hauled away to a junkyard in Newton, Massachusetts. Which is probably a shopping centre by now. But the urge still calls. If, IF I ended up with this car, I’d drive it. As long as it passes inspection, I’d put it away for the winter and bring it out for the spring/summer/fall. When it tells me it needs more than regular TLC, give it