Vehicle Description
Everyone can agree that an early Mustang convertible is about as
good as open-air motoring gets, and this 1966 Ford Mustang
convertible remains a high-quality cruiser that is instantly
recognizable everywhere you go. With the looks of a GT350, a
powerful 302 cubic inch V8 and a 5-speed, it's fast on its feet and
carries a host of upgrades that make it every bit as fast as it
looks.
Ford didn't make many changes to the Mustang for 1966; after all,
why mess with success? It was already the fastest-selling car in
history, with over a million units sold, and Mustang fever was
still in high gear by the time the new model year rolled around.
The only way to make it better? Add a little Carroll Shelby. It
turns out that the convertible makes a great-looking GT350, with
this one wearing those familiar white stripes, a domed hood from a
late-model Eleanor, a chin spoiler, and quarter panel scoops just
behind the doors. The bright red paint was done a few years ago,
with a few chips here and there to prove that it's been driven and
enjoyed and a professional buff would really wake it up again. Gaps
and alignment are up to factory standards, and while it never
carried a lot of ornamentation, the clean, unadorned look of this
car works rather well. Out back, it's got a Shelby gas cap and
exhaust outlets in the rear valence, GT-style.
Inside, this pony sports an attractive red and white Pony interior,
which looks great against bright red paint. Aside from the slightly
thicker wood-rimmed steering wheel, it looks quite stock overall
and it remains in great shape. Door panels and the dash are in good
condition, and the carpets are so nice that they have to be recent,
and even the dash pad looks like it's fairly fresh. There's no
console, adding to the Shelby-style industrial look, but that
original-looking 5-speed shifter sure looks and feels great just
sticking out of the transmission tunnel all by itself. The GT-style
gauges appear to be original and they work rather well in the
bright interior, and they're augmented by a touch-screen
entertainment system with a set of subwoofers in the trunk.
Overhead, a white convertible top seals it up and folds nicely into
its well without a lot of wrestling.
Thanks to the similarities of the Windsor family of V8s, the
torquey 302 cubic inch V8 fits easily under the hood and moves the
lightweight Mustang very enthusiastically. The engine bay is tidy
and very well detailed, so you shouldn't be afraid to open the hood
at shows. Horsepower upgrades are many: an Edelbrock carburetor and
polished intake manifold, MSD ignition, a substantial camshaft, and
a big aluminum radiator up front. These engines are extremely
reliable, parts are readily available, and performance is very
good, making it a blast to drive. The Mustang-source T5 5-speed
manual transmission racks through the gears as the burly small
block bellows through long-tube headers and a Flowmaster exhaust
system, and it handles great thanks to upgraded sway bars and
urethane bushings. Front disc brakes, upgraded power steering, and
an 8-inch rear end round out the list of hardware. For the ideal
period look, this car also wears a set of polished Centerline
wheels and staggered 215/60/15 front and 235/60/15 rear performance
radials.
With V8 power and a folding top, this Mustang is near the top of
the desirability list, and it is in ideal condition for someone who
likes to drive his cars. When you're behind the wheel of an early
Mustang, the world is a much happier place. Call today!