Ford Mustang

Name: Ford Mustang
Item: Ford Mustang
Author: Classic Auto Mall

Listing ID: 75122

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

The Mustang name, of course, was born with this car, allegedly because aviation enthusiast and Ford Executive Stylist John Najjar Ferzely felt the car resembled a P-51 Mustang airplane. An alternate name-origin story suggests that designer Philip Clark came up with it in reference to the wild horses he saw on a cross-country trip. The horse angle, as opposed to the plane angle, is the one that stuck in the end.

For consignment, a 1965 convertible version of the Ford Mustang. This one has been modified a bit for some racing and showing, with the front bumper removed and racing air dam installed, Bullitt wheels, GT350 stripes and graphics applied, and an upgraded custom carb and intake setup with a Toploader transmission. Originally a mundane Mustang without the graphics, this car is ready to take all the awards with its Shelby-esque add ons and a killer 351ci 4-barrel setup.

Exterior
With the GT350 option becoming available in 1965, this Mustang from 1965 in drop top format has been modified to look like a 1965 GT350R to a degree. The front bumper has been removed and fiberglass racing fascia added, rear air duct brake cooler flaring, (nonfunctional, but with added stainless honeycomb inserts), on the rear quarter replacing the hockey stick insert, and molded in rear quarter panel caps that meet up to the trunk mounted spoiler ala a 1967/68 Shelby GT500. A custom 1-piece nose now fills the factory front metal and holds HID headlights with LED signal lights and Halogen fog and driving lights. Aftermarket brushed aluminum door handles compliment the Rotunda door mounted mirrors and the car was then bathed in a miles deep coating of Performance White, and has Chrysler Red painted on wide dual stripes running from bow to stern. A pinned and honeycomb mesh filled scooped hood is seen and covering the passenger compartment is a black canvas convertible top with a wrinkled but clear rear window. Wrapping up the tail end are billet bezels for the iconic taillights and in the center in a CJ Pony Parts billet fuel door. Gaps are well minded, and 17 and 18-inch Bullitt wheels in white are wrapped with staggered width blackwall tires. Chrysler Red GT351 badged stripes also grace the rocker just above the bottom.

Interior
The original pattern red vinyl pony door panels are nicely preserved, as are the handles knobs and pulls. Like new dual low back bucket seats are covered in the pony style upholstery with white tuck and roll inserts, smooth red bolsters, and embossed running horses and chrome emblems on the uppers. The rear bench seat matches the buckets in style and condition. The original 1965 dash setup in long oval form houses the gauges and presents nicely. The dash now holds a 1966 gauge cluster which has factory gauges within, but now presents with white facing and black numbers. This is surrounded by a nicely applied wood applique and is fronted by a galloping horse badged wood rimmed wheel. Airflow levers and several knobs are on the lower dash, and the radio has been taken out and replaced with a white steel panel. Red carpeted Mustang logo embroidered floor mats cover the red carpet which remains in near new condition, and more wood applique is on the glovebox door. On the dash top in the center, is a Rotunda tachometer. Note in the center of the buckets is a white 1966 full length console that is dressed with even more applique and holds the shifter with a white ball topper. The trunk has been recovered with interior matching red carpet.

Drivetrain
A nice clean 351ci Windsor V8 is under the hood, and sports black and red Ford Racing valve covers. On top of the aluminum intake with a 4-barrel 750cfm Quickfuel carburetor and a custom Spectra air box with dual filter elements. AFR aluminum heads have been bolted to the mill and lighting the fire is a MSD ignition system. Keeping things cool is a 4-row aluminum radiator and electric cooling fan. A 4-speed manual T10 transmission with a Centerforce clutch and pressure plate is on back, and a custom driveshaft sends power to the consignor-stated 3.83 geared Ford 8.8-inch rear axle.

Undercarriage
Underneath shows nearly no road dirt and no surface rust at all. Just a calm sea of black for the solid strong steel unibody, Global West subframe connectors and clean floor pans. The only deviation from this black theme is the red painted underside of the transmission, gold oil pan, and silver suspension components. Speaking of the suspension, it’s all new and for the front with independent coil springs, and for the back are leaf springs. Both ends have a 1″ drop to give that low mean look. Disc brakes are installed all around and have 13″ SVE front rotors. Short length headers flow down from the block and attach to dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers before exiting the rear valance via chrome trump style exhaust tips.

Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and all 8 candles lit right up. Off to the test track, and it performed nicely with good solid acceleration, nice handling, and good braking on the panic stop and prior to the tight corners. All was functioning as it should save for the top not meeting up to close at the windshield, but be prepared to become a fan of constant attention, random thumbs up, and getting stopped to answer questions about this build, just as I was during my drive.

A nicely presenting Mustang drop top with a 351ci V8, some faux brake cooling ducts for the back, and shaved of its front bumper. Add in the complimenting interior, disc brake upgrade and a multiple show winner including a people’s choice winner at Ocean City, MD Endless Summer show and being featured on the Junkyard Empire TV series and you have a thoroughbred winner. Don’t dally, as this surefooted pony won’t last long in our Hallowed Halls!

VIN DECODE
5F08A766891
5-1965
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
08-Mustang Convertible
A-289ci 4bbl V8 225hp
766891-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76A-Mustang Convertible, Standard Bucket Seats
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 26-Black Vinyl
DATE 23T-June 23rd Build
DSO 14-Pittsburgh
AXLE 1-3.00 Conventional
TRANS 5-4 Speed Manual

City: Morgantown, PA

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