Stunning show-winning restoration. Correct black-on-red GT loaded with options like power steering, console, automatic transmission, power top, and more. The best-driving Mustang we’ve ever had!
Wearing a high-quality restoration, this former MCA award-winner remains in outstanding condition throughout. Code A Raven Black is this car’s original color and it gives the GT an aggressive look that many early Mustangs just don’t have—we love it! Of course, with black there’s no place for substandard work to hide, and you can easily see that big money was spent getting the sheetmetal laser-straight before a drop of paint went on. Gaps are excellent, even around the trunk, which is one of the toughest areas on a Mustang to get right. There’s also a lot of restored chrome and stainless trim that looks exceptional, as well as the requisite red GT stripes along the rockers, tying in with the red interior. This GT gets everything right in the cosmetics department.
Inside you’ll find a code 65 red “luxury” interior, also known as the Pony interior. Like the rest of the car, it’s virtually in new condition and shows extremely well with no wear and very few signs of use. Other options include the center console (the red armrest with cupholders is removable), Rally-Pac on the steering column, and deluxe AM/FM radio, which is from a later car and powers discreet speakers in the kick panels. All GTs received the comprehensive five-gauge instrument panel and the woodgrained inserts were part of the Pony interior package. Everything works, from the gauges to the clock to the black power convertible top which stows under a matching red boot. The trunk is also neatly finished with a proper trunk mat and a full-sized spare tire assembly that’s never been used.
The engine is a correct A-code 289 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and 225 horsepower. It’s correctly detailed in black (Ford Blue didn’t happen until 1966) and has been dressed with Cobra aluminum valve covers that were a dealer option, and a correct open-element air cleaner with a chrome lid. By the time this car was built, the early generator was replaced by an Autolite alternator, and in this car’s case, the carburetor is a 4-barrel Holley that makes tuning for best performance easy. Power steering is a great addition in any Mustang, but power brakes were not available with the GT, so make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at other cars. Markings and decals were faithfully reproduced, which is what helped make this car a show-winner, and no matter how hard you look, you won’t find many signs of use. This is just a beautifully done car.
The floors were professionally replaced and painted satin black, along with most of the other hardware, giving it a clean look that makes for low maintenance. All the factory support braces and reinforcements for the convertible are still in place and the critical torque boxes show no signs of rust, damage, or previous repairs. And don’t think the C4 3-speed automatic is a liability, because this muscular ragtop feels downright fast and the transmission is eager to snap down a gear when you need it. 3.00 gears out back make it a fantastic cruiser and this car just loafs along on the highway at 70 MPH—rarely have we driven an early Mustang that was so effortless at speed. No issues, no damage, no rust, and thanks to a recent tune, it starts easily, idles well, and pulls strong at any speed. One drive and you’ll understand why these were such strong sellers in 1965 and why they remain favorites today. Handsome styled steel wheels are correct and carry 195/75/14 redline radials, but a second set of styled steel wheels and correct bias-ply redline tires are included with the sale, just in case you want to put it back on the show field.
We’ve only seen one Mustang better than this and interestingly enough, it was the same color combination. It was also $20,000 more expensive. So if you want a fantastic Mustang convertible with exceptional quality for far less than the cost of restoration, you won’t do better than this. It looks good enough to still score well in competition and drives so well you’ll never want to park it. To us, that’s the best kind of Mustang to own. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
