Vehicle Description
Correct A-code 289, automatic, factory A/C, power steering, console, Rally-Pac, AM/8-track radio. Former show-winner. California car that’s ready to drive, show, and enjoy. One of the best anywhere.
This beautiful 1966 Ford Mustang coupe is one of those high-quality cars with a great pedigree, loads of factory options, and plenty of performance, all wrapped in a Candyapple Red body that’s the epitome of Mustang fun. It was restored to a very high standard by a Mustang expert in the late 1990s and probably collected more than its fair share of trophies at that time. It hails from sunny California and you already know what they say about cars from the Sunshine State, all of which is true. The finish despite being more than 15 years old, still looks fantastic and needs nothing more than a quick wipe to be ready for the show field and the restoration photos show it being stripped to bare metal and rebuilt from there, so there are no nasty surprises underneath. The color is exactly right, a bright fire-engine red, although the lights in our studio tend to make it look a little darker than it actually is. The black vinyl roof was there from new as well, although it, too, was brand new at the time of restoration and still looks fantastic. Shiny chrome bumpers, a sharply detailed grille, and all the other brightwork remains in excellent condition with no pitting or notable deterioration and the stainless was all buffed to a high luster before being reinstalled.
The car carries a correct standard black bucket seat interior, and some would argue that the standard woven vinyl inserts are more comfortable than the deluxe “Pony” seat covers, particularly on warm days. That’s all fairly academic in this Mustang, since it’s equipped with air-conditioning which has been there since it was built. The system is fully functional and filled with good old R12 refrigerant, so it’s effective and still looks original in every way. The seat covers and foam, door panels, carpets, and other soft parts were all replaced during the restoration, and there’s virtually zero wear on any of the surfaces and the seats still feel firm and comfortable. Other great options that have been in this car from the start include the center console and Rally-Pac on the steering column, which augments the factory gauges with a tachometer and clock, both of which work properly. In fact, everything works in this car, including the gauges, all the courtesy lights, and even the factory AM/8-track “Stereosonic” radio which also has a hidden FM converter inside. The trunk is outfitted with a correct mat and full-sized spare tire on a matching styled steel wheel.
Although early Mustangs cannot be “matching numbers” in the traditional sense, we have no reason to believe this is not the car’s original A-code 289 cubic inch V8. The engine is fully rebuilt and runs superbly, starting quickly and idling smoothly even when it’s cold. It’s beautifully detailed, too, with correct Ford Blue on the engine block, valve covers, and air cleaner, all finished with reproduction decals for an accurate look. Little stuff like the spark plug wires, hoses and clamps, and even the coil are as the factory intended, although there’s now a Pertronix electronic ignition system inside the distributor for zero maintenance. The transmission is a C4 3-speed automatic, which is unobtrusive in regular operation but is always standing by ready to snap down a gear to put a grin on your face. Out back, there’s an 8-inch rear with 3.00 gears inside, as well as a Track-Lok limited slip, which is also on the window sticker and how it was built. The dual exhaust system sounds right and offers correct turn-downs under the rear valence. Styled steel wheels are in excellent condition and wear a set of brand new 205/70/14 blackwall radials that have less than 100 miles on them.
We keep coming back to that one word when we talk about this car: QUALITY. For a lot of guys, price is paramount and we understand that. But if you want the finest early Mustang we’ve ever seen, regardless of body style, then this one is worth a bit more. You couldn’t duplicate this car for the asking price and with all those factory options, it’s built exactly the way you would have done it back in 1966. This is a great deal of car for not a lot of money.
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
