1965 FORD MUSTANG GT PONY STYLE FULL ROTISSERIE RESTORATION

Description

HISTORY

After purchasing the car I got home and started looking at the data plate. I was pleasantly surprised to find the car was built in San Jose California. Eventually I looked in the glove box and found the original owners manual. What a find! Opening the manual, inside the front cover was information on the original owner. The information included his name and address in Phoenix. WoW….I might have an Arizona car! After a few months I finally thought I might try to find the original owner so I called information in Phoenix and much to my surprise the operator gave me a phone number. Not believing this could actually be the same person I did not call the number immediately. After another three or four months, I decided I might as well give it a shot so I called the number. This gentleman answered my phone call and I explained who I was, that I had purchased a 65 Mustang and that I had found a owners manual in the glove box with his name on it. He immediately asked if the car was a white coupe and I knew I had found the original owner. We talked at some length and he explained the history of the car as he knew it. Perfect, now I knew how I had ended up with the car. A lot of people claim to have an Arizona car … I will guarantee this Mustang to been sold thru a dealer in Phoenix to a person in Phoenix. Many times people want to know the history of a car. With this car you got it! This is just one of the many things that set this car apart from other 1965 Mustangs.

Another huge difference is in what you’re buying. I had a new 1965 Mustang and had a blast in the car. Being in high school at the time, and like most guys in high school, I had very limited funds. When I started this project I decided very early on I would put the best components in this car and really spend the necessary time to create a special car. You are buying a true classic American muscle car when you purchase this Pony.

This isn’t an assembly line rebuild where you can drive to any major city and find something similar. No where will you find someone else driving the same car. Nowhere!

When I started this project I wanted a mildly custom, very safe, very fast, streetable, reliable, and stunning car. With this clear goal and a great car to start with I went right after it.

Several body shops are close by but only one has the finest reputation for paint and body work. I went to their shop and explained my plans for the car. I told them I wanted to totally dismantle the car, take every thing down to bare metal, and repaint in white with red interior, GT 350 style. I told them I would do most of the removal of paint, seam and body sealers, undercoating, etc. etc. by putting the car on a rotisserie. Since I had to work also, I needed a spot where the car would be out of the way and I could leave it there for an extended period. As it turned out the car was in their shop for almost two years. Believe me I have an unbelievable amount of time scraping, sanding, cleaning, and preparing for primer.

Engine compartment

I have been around a couple 289 to 315W engine conversions. Fairly easy swap for much more power. Lots of information on how-to. One of the things I noticed with these swaps is the header clearance with the shock towers. Very – very close and some cases they rub enough to take some paint off the shock towers. Not an ideal condition. While we had the paint removed out of the engine compartment we took a plasma cutter and cut a small section out of the narrow part of the shock towers. Then we welded it back up to give an additional ¾ clearance on each side. Now you have enough clearance to install a 351W or 351C and not rub the paint off the shock towers. If you keep the 289 then you have more room to work on the engine. NICE

Body Restoration

This car spent all this time in a very nice environment. From time to time a couple of the body shop guys would offer tips on the right way to go about my task. They were very helpful. We checked and rechecked many of the measurements to see how close the frame/body was to factory specs. It was right on. After getting the bottom of the car spotless and primed, the body shop sprayed the bottom of the car with white Rhino Liner. The bottom of this car should last forever. The underneath side of the car is fantastic.

During the striping and removal of paint I found one rust spot under the rear glass. It was about ¾” wide and 2” long. The body shop took a piece of similar metal and replaced this piece…..that’s it!

This car does not have any seams other that the hood, doors, and trunk. The air intake in front of the windshield has been closed off with metal pieces cut, fitted, and welded in place. All the other seams are permanently attached. The result is a very smooth and clean look. Mildly custom and stunning.

When you look down the sides of the car there are no waves, dimples, and everything fits very nicely. Probably much better than factory and the final adjustments has not been made yet. Very straight car.

The GT350 racing stripes is paint, not decals. The measurement for the stripes duplicate the original measurement for a great look. There are no ridges where the red meets the white paint …. Sweet!

The paint is as slick as glass and is ready to be shown off at a car show near you.

Upgrades

Several aftermarket upgrades were purchased from Total Control out of California. These parts include: Sub Frame Connectors, Cross Frame Connector, Upper Control Arms, Lower Control Arms, Strut Rods, Front Coil Springs, Rack and Pinion Steering. Install proper wheels and tires and this car should handle extremely well.

The car has disc brake upgrades from Stainless Steel Corporation. Got to love some great brakes!

The rear end has a completely rebuilt 9” Ford unit with 3:59 axel ratio and Detroit locker.

The car has all new wiring. I decided to install the 1966 wiring because I wanted to use the 66 GT dash gauges and the 140 mph speedo.

There are too many new parts to list here. If you’re interested in a list of parts and expenses send me a request via e-mail to: ronecentralia@yahoo. Over 20K has been invested in this car not including my labor.

Motor, Transmission, Wheels and Tires

Since these has not been purchased you can have it your way. You are not paying for someone else’s decision. Have it your way!

Documentation

Besides the ORIGINAL OWNERS MANUAL, I have lots and lots of manuals that covers every thing to work on the car. Many Mustang Monthly articles etc. Some manuals are covered by more than one source. The shop manual is also included. About 25 pounds of paper.

Interior

I took seats out of a Dodge Neon and remove the mounting hardware. Took the 65 seat tracks and mounted to the Neon seats. Took new Pony interior to the best car upholstery guy in the area. He ordered material that matches the Red in color, feel, and texture …. perfectly. He then took the 65 Pony upholstery apart, used the center sections, added the sides and backs from the stock material. The result is a very nice seat that has the Pony inserts and looks somewhat stock. Much more support for making those tight corners and absolutely beautiful. The Pony rear seatcovers has been purchased but not installed yet. The Pony door panels, handles, etc. has been purchased to finish out the pony interior. New Red carpet awaits installation. The metal dash is 100% stock and not been cut for a different radio. The interior of the car was sanded, primed, and painted the same color as the Shelby stripes. This car has factory underdash air conditioning.The A/C worked perfectly when removed, very cold indeed. I would recommend having the unit rebuilt for current Freon usage.

Previous damage.NONE

Anyone with a super high level of taste can appreciate the rare excitement that this car embodies. The great thing about this car is that regardless of where you go you won’t encounter one exactly like it. Take it to a Mustang event and be the highlight of the show. Take it to a car cruise and heads will turn….guaranteed! From any angle this car is a crowd pleaser in exceptional condition. Basically all the car needs is motor, transmission, and shiny new glass.

By now you got to be asking “why is he selling the car”. Good question since I have a lot of money and more hours than I care to count in this car. The reason is I don’t have the time to finish to finish the car, or the time to enjoy it. I have started a K9 Search and Rescue team to search for the lost and missing. So my priority is looking for lost or missing persons instead of finishing the car of my dreams.

To see this car located in Fairview Heights, IL. If you would like to fly into the closes major air port, St. Louis Lambert International, I will gladly pick you up to look at the car.

All bids are considered binding, if you want to verify condition it must be done so prior to placing a bid, not after you win or own it through the bidding process. I can also show the car to a car inspector if you want to give them my information.

Call Ron at: (618) 531-6785

Shown by appointment only, thank you for taking the time to read this novel, sorry to be long but I want to give you as much as information as I know.