Description
I will pay for shipping in Continental USA with "Buy it Now" (see terms at the bottom of listing).
Early 1965 Mustang (April 1964).
1965 Mustang "D" Code 289 4 bbl v8, 4speed, Raven Black with Black standard interior. Sceduled build date was April 15th 1964 (2 days before the unveiling at the New York World's Fair). The DSO is "71" (Los Angeles, California).
I bought this Mustang from the previous owner's Nephew. He believed his Uncle was the 3rd owner, and brought the car up from California in the late 1990's. I was told the car was purchased new at Galpin Ford in 1964. (Galpin went all out for the unveiling with cowboy outfits and tumbleweeds! They were also the first authorized Shelby dealer). Being a Black on Black "D" Code 4 speed, the car fits their performance image. I taked to Steve at GAS (Galpin Auto Sports), but have not been able to confirm that this car was sold at Galpin (no documentation so far).This car was repainted about 20+ or so years ago. The paint was extremely high quality (as you can see in the photos). Unfortunately, there are some spots that have lifted, bubbled or cracked as well as chips and dings. I touched up some of the paint and filled in some of the scratches and cracks using "Paint Correction" techniques. I am not even close to a professional, so a PRO detail shop could probably "Correct" a lot more than I have. The car looks amazing from 10 feet and non car people think it's "10". I was invited to display the car indoors at the Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals last weekend. The Mustang received a LOT of positive feedback!
Most of the rest of the car is very original. The odometer reads: 86,xxx.x, and I am inclined to believe it's original! The seats are in great shape with original stitching (with one minor split at the top of the back seat). Although hard to believe, the seats appear to have the original upholstery. The headliner is also original and has some minor staining. The carpet is newer and is the correct early type (welted edges that stop below the square corner step plates). I bought a correct "Burtex" trunk mat. Early cars had this type of mat instead of the "Plaid" type. Spare tire is an old bias ply (could be original).The previous owners did some "Shelby" modifications to the car, and I continued with that theme. "Shelby" style traction bars were installed at some point. Also, it appears to have had a "Shelby Drop" in the past, and the "Glass Pack" dual exhaust looks like the 1965 GT350 style (except mine go all the way out the back). I ordered "Competition" type seat belts from Tony Branda and added American Racing Torque Thrust wheels with Shelby type center caps (the car had incorrect later 65 styled steel wheels when I bought it). I planned to add a 1965 GT350 wooden steering wheel, but have not gotten around to it.
Mechanically the car is sound. I just drove 150 miles round trip to the Goodguys Vintage Drag Races, then the Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals last weekend. The temperature was over 90 and the car performed flawlessly (including bumper to bumper cruising). I have driven this car is traffic on the freeway, in cold weather, hot weather, rain, etc. No problems ever. The brakes are 4 wheel drum and stop as expected. The steering is a little loose, but nothing of concern. Car cruises nicely at 60-65. Have had it up to about 80+ on Interstate 90 (speed limit 70). 4 speed shifts well and clutch was replaced before I bought the car. Temp guage seems to move a bit, gas guage reads 1/2 tank, then goes down, Radio does NOT work. ALL lights work, including courtesy lights and glovebox light. Old "Sun" tach works great!
The engine is a "D" code 289 and I was told, was rebuilt in the 90s. It uses some oil and the lifters are a little noisy if the car sits for a long time (only happened when I first bought the car). The intake is a 1966 and carb is correct replacement Holley. I was told the block is original, but have not confirmed. The transmission is a toploader and shifts great. I was told it was serviced when the clutch was done. I planned to tackle the suspension next (planned to install Konis, rebuilt steering box and Shelby pitman arm, install Shelby sway bar, go back to Shelby drop and freshen up suspension). But, the car drives so well, I have just been enjoying it!
Body wise, the car is very solid. Ford DID NOT RUSTPROOF the early Mustangs (hence the nickname "rustang"). The cowl vent does not leak a single drop (during car wash or HUGE Northwest rain)! The paint is 20+ years old, so anything popping through the paint has had 20+ years to do it! There is a small amount of "dry rust" in the passenger floorboard. Rockers, wheelhouses, 1/4 panels are all rock solid! There is a bubble popping through on the front edge of the driver's door only. Also some small bubbles on the drivers rear wheelwell only. This is typical of a 50 year old car. There are some large flat bubbles along the passenger roof above the drip rail (see photos). I have inspected these thoroughly, the paint is lifting but NO RUST. I am being picky and giving FULL DISCLOSURE! The cars looks, runs and SOUNDS great!
All of the glass is original except the windshield. Windows roll up and down as they should. There are some minor wind whistles at 60mph and some water gets in when I wash it, but seals all look pretty good.
Overall this is a VERY RARE opportunity. This is an early "1964 1/2" Mustang built before the "Unveiling". Not only that, but a v8, 4 speed! And the TOP v8 available ("D" code 289 210 horsepower)! (Only one "K" code was documented built before June and it was Henry Ford II's car). The icing on the cake is the "A" Raven Black with "86" Black standard interior. The Hardtop is the lightest Mustang (stock), so with no power steering or brakes, no A/C... this car was built for "GO"!Whoever walked into Galpin Ford in April 1964, had one of the COOLEST CARS in and around Los Angeles in the Summer of 1964!Around June 1964 Shelby American received 2 plain Wimbleton white Mustang hardtops for prototype testing. The previous owners "Shelby" mods sit well with me as "Day 2" mods when this car was brand new (especially in SoCal)! The car can easily be restored back to "Day 1" showroom stock easily.
As a rarity, this Mustang also warrants a bare metal nut and bolt restoration at some point. I have only found 1 other pre-launch (Before April 17th) Black on black "D" code 4 speed and it had A/C, Power Steering, etc. Of the >15,000 Mustangs built before April 17th, a large percentage of the first run were Red, White or Blue (it's true, look it up). ALL colors were made through April 17th, but cars were built in Batches according to color, engine and DSO. There was also a shortage of v8 engines (Falcon, Fairlane and Mustang as well as full size lines, shared the 260/289). A large percentage of all early cars were the "U" code 6 cylinder.Also, a large percentage of Convertibles were built. Keep in mind that Ford intended to build around 8,000 Mustangs before April 17th to provide ONE for each Ford dealer nationwide (and Canada).
In addition, a dozen or so convertibles were built for the "SkyRide" at the World's Fair, Some of the 190 "Pace Car" hardtops were built before April 17th, and dozens of "Courtesy" cars for the press, Mustangs for the "Mustang Road Rally" for the press (from The New York World's Fair to Dearborn, Michigan), as well as cars to Alan Mann Racing, a Convertible (or 2) for James Bond's "Goldfinger", and Mustangs for Display at Hotels, Airports and special events! That means that pretty much all 15,000 Mustangs built before the April 17th Launch were "Purpose Built" either for a dealer to display and sell, for "Special Purpose" or to support the Launch!
For more information, there are several good books about the development of the Ford Mustang. Bob Fria's book "Mustang Genesis" is a great read. Bob owns Mustang serial #2 (A blue hardtop). Mustang serial #1 is in the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit Michigan.
I LOVE this Mustang. It's "One of those cars" I will probably regret selling. I just bought a commercial shop and decided to sell a couple cars to offset...Front license plate DOES NOT go with the car (It is orginal to my 1968 Firebird, put it on the Mustang a while back). Also, if you are not from Washington State I will probably keep the Wa plate on the back (can be registered to another car here in Washington).
CLEAR TITLE! I will help with shipping. Bid with confidence!
More photos at Flickr.com search Driverinmyhead1 in people, you will see the Mustang photos.
Car is soldAS IS, Where is. I will help with shipping. Deposit is required within 24 hours of auction close. Full payment must be made within 72 hours in the form of a "Cashier's Check, Cash in Person, or a wire transfer.
* Free shipping anywhere in the CONTINENTAL USA with "Buy it Now". I will pay for shipping with a "Buy it now purchase". I will use Montway Transport on an enclosed carrier. I will assist in loading vehicle and send all info to buyer. Buyer must pay for Mustang in full and have car insured before shipping. Thanks.
On Aug-04-17 at 02:08:41 PDT, seller added the following information:Buyers outside the USA, please contact me before bidding. Thanks!
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8 Minute Walk Around Video on YouTube:
Type in (Or copy and paste) the Ebay listing number into YouTube search: 182701186267
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