1965 Ford Mustang

Description

It's easy to forget that not all the Mustangs were fire-breathing track machines tuned by Carroll Shelby himself. In fact, of the millions they built, a vast majority were simply pleasant cars like this 1965 Mustang fastback that look great and are a joy to drive. After all, it's probably why they sold so many. So take a good, long look at this beautiful 2+2, which wears a high-quality restoration that invites you to experience what the Mustang was about for most of its owners.

Crisp lines, great detailing, and a beautiful Rangoon Red paint job make this one look authentic, and you can easily imagine one of these parked near the beach in California or sitting outside an office building in the mid-60s. Rangoon Red isn't its original color, but on a Mustang bright red is always a great choice, highlighting the fastback's dramatic long hood/short deck design and the dramatic side cove that carves through its flanks. Workmanship is excellent, and you'll probably find that nothing was overlooked when this one was being finished: the sheetmetal is great condition, gaps are tidy, and the paint is even and glossy. All the trim was freshened, too, including bright chrome bumpers, correct badges and emblems, and a correct 1965 grille. It's kind of refreshing seeing a car like this without racing stripes, don't you think?

That bright red paint job is perfectly complemented by the black bucket seat interior, which was standard equipment but interestingly, not the only choice (you actually COULD get a bench in a Mustang). Fresh door panels and new carpets give it a showroom-fresh feel inside, and the original 1965 gauges show crisp markings and clear lenses. An AM/FM stereo head unit is the only major modification, but one you'll appreciate, and with Mustang-logo rubber floor mats, the interior should continue to look this good for years to come. Seeing cars like this always reminds me that a bone-stock Mustang is still a wonderful place to spend some time, and it's obvious that the restorer invested the time and effort to get the little stuff right. In the trunk, there's a full-sized spare, as well as a fresh plaid mat and with the fold-down rear seat, this 2+2 is practical as well as sporty.

Ford's 289 was an extremely versatile engine, and in this fastback, it runs C-code trim to play the strong, silent type. All the evidence points to this being the original engine, although with early Mustangs, there's just no way to prove it's 100% matching-numbers. However, with abundant torque, a muted V8 exhaust note, and rock-solid reliability, it really is the perfect choice for a fastback like this. Fully rebuilt 10,000 miles ago and beautifully finished in correct black engine enamel with chrome valve covers, it starts easily and idles smoothly thanks to a correct 2-barrel carb (that's right, no "upgrades" here!). It's backed by a C4 3-speed automatic spinning a set of 2.80 gears out back, so it's a superbly relaxed highway cruiser that actually pulls down pretty good gas mileage to boot. It's super-solid underneath, and rides on styled steel wheels with 195/75/14 whitewall radials that look great.

So if your dreams call for an early Mustang, but your budget forces you to skip the Shelbys, do what millions of other Mustang owners did: take home this stylish C-code fastback instead. Call today!