Expensive? Yes. The best? Also yes. Stunning GT convertible in fantastic colors with an exceptional rotisserie restoration. Real GT, A/C, power steering, power top, automatic, disc brakes. The absolute best!
This is a factory black-on-red car, which is somewhat rare all by itself. And while Ford made it notoriously difficult to document a GT, this one has all the indicators and appears to be legit. The sheetmetal is laser-straight, the black paint is deep enough to sink a submarine, and there’s not a wave or ripple anywhere on the car. Gaps are exacting and the doors close with a precision I’ve never felt in a vintage Mustang, the trunk fits the way it should (always a tough spot on Mustangs), and it looks like the GT stripes were applied with a laser. Likewise, all the chrome and stainless trim is either new or restored to as-new condition, including the emblems and chrome inserts on the quarter panels. All the proper GT equipment is there, too, including the fog lights (which work correctly—tail lights come on with the fog lights), ‘289’ emblems, and trumpet exhaust tips through the rear valence. In person, this car is just jaw-dropping.
The red deluxe “Pony” interior is also entirely new and it is how the car was originally configured. It is certainly beautiful, with new foam underneath so the seats are taut and firm, and the carpets are correct black and red loop pile. GTs came with the deluxe woodgrained dashboard and five-gauge instrument panel, while the beautiful woodgrained steering wheel and full-length console were options. All the gauges are bright and crisp, and they all work properly. There’s also a proper under-dash A/C system using modern components to replicate the original look, and it blows ice cold. Rubber mats show a little wear, but they’re the only parts on the entire car that do and the back seat has never been used. Overhead there’s a new black power convertible top that has only been folded once or twice and it stows under a matching red vinyl boot. The trunk is also correctly detailed with a plaid mat and matching cover for the full-sized spare tire.
The GT came standard with the A-code 289 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and making 225 horsepower, and that’s what’s under the hood today. In 1965, the block was still black and the tinwork was gold, so the underhood area looks right. Proper hardware, finishes, and reproduction decals were used throughout. You’ll note correct tower hose clamps on FoMoCo stamped hoses, a reproduction wiring harness, correctly marked ignition components, and even a yellow cap coil, as original. It’s also beautifully tuned because it starts easily, idles smoothly, and pulls the lightweight ragtop around with genuine authority. And if you’re concerned about drivability, note that it has optional power steering to make it easy to handle, and disc brakes were standard on the GT. Anybody can get in and have fun with this car.
The chassis is exceptionally well detailed and shows almost no signs of use since the car was completed about 18 months ago. Red oxide floors, a reproduction exhaust system, and proper finishes on the fasteners all make it look quite correct. We’ll admit that the assembly line workers were probably not this careful with the masking and other details when they were building the car, but you can’t argue that it isn’t spectacular to look at. The C4 Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic shifts cleanly and feeds 3.00 gears in the 8-inch rear end, so this is a wonderful highway cruiser that never asks for anything more than gas and oil. The suspension is supple and comfortable, but also quite capable, and the aforementioned disc brakes are effective even without power assist (which wasn’t available with the discs). The exhaust burbles pleasantly and has a fantastic V8 bark at full bore, so nobody will mistake this for a secretary’s car. The only other notable deviation from stock spec are those gorgeous 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels, which carry 205/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.
There are a lot of Mustangs available, we know that. Plenty of them are cheap, we know that, too. But this one is drop-dead gorgeous, amazing to drive, and just over-the-top in every possible way. The quality is evident in every aspect of the restoration and this is easily the most attractive early Mustang you’ll ever see. It’s just right. If you have the means to afford it, you’ll be rewarded with a truly remarkable car that few others can match. And in a crowded field, sometimes all it takes to stand out is to simply do it better than everyone else. This Mustang totally nails it. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
