Vehicle Description
Please visit www.ClassicsBeyond.comto view all the pictures of this
vehicle. History of the 1965 MustangSince it was introduced four
months before the normal start of the 1965 production year and
manufactured alongside 1964 Ford Falcons and 1964 Mercury Comets,
the earliest Mustangs are widely referred to as the 1964? model by
enthusiasts.[19] Nevertheless, all "1964?" cars were given 1965
U.S. standard VINs at the time of production, and - with limited
exception to the earliest of promotional materials[20] - were
marketed by Ford as 1965 models.[21] The low-end model hardtop used
a "U-code" 170 cu in (2.8 L) straight-6 engine[22] borrowed from
the Falcon, as well as a three-speed manual transmission and
retailed for US$2,368. Standard equipment for the early 1965
Mustangs included black front seat belts, a glove box light, and a
padded dash board.[23] Production began in March 1964 and official
introduction following on April 17 at the 1964 World's Fair. V8
models got a badge on the front fender that spelled out the
engine's cubic inch displacement ("260" or "289") over a wide "V."
This emblem was identical to the one on the 1964 Fairlane.Several
changes to the Mustang occurred at the start of the "normal" 1965
model year in August 1964, about four months after its
introduction. These cars are known as "late 65's". The engine
lineup was changed, with a 200 cu in (3.3 L) "T-code" engine that
produced 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS). Production of the Fairlane's
"F-code" 260 cu in (4.3 L) engine ceased when the 1964 model year
ended. It was replaced with a new 200 hp (150 kW) "C-code" 289 cu
in (4.7 L) engine with a two-barrel carburetor as the base V8. An
"A-code" 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS) four-barrel carbureted version was
next in line, followed by the unchanged 289 HiPo "K-code" equipped
with a 4-barrel Autolite4100 carburetor rated at 271 hp (202 kW;
275 PS) at 6000 rpm and 312 lb?ft (423 N?m) at 3400 rpm.[24] The DC
electrical generator was replaced by a new AC alternator on all
Fords (a way to distinguish a 1964 from a 1965 is to see if the
alternator light on the dash says "GEN" or "ALT"). The Mustang GT
version was introduced as the "GT Equipment Package" and included a
V8 engine (most often the 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS) 289),
grille-mounted fog lamps, rocker panel stripes, and disc brakes. In
the interior the GT option added a different instrument panel that
included a speedometer, fuel gauge, temp. gauge, oil pressure gauge
and ammeter in five round dials (the gauges were not marked with
numbers, however.)[25] A four-barrel carbureted engine was now
available with any body style. Additionally, reverse lights were an
option added to the car from August 1964 production. The Mustang
was originally available as either a hardtop or convertible, but
during the car's early design phases a fastback model was strongly
considered. In 1965, the Shelby Mustang was born, it was available
only in newly introduced fastback body version with its swept-back
rear glass and distinctive ventilation louvers.[26]The standard
interior features of the 1965 Mustang included adjustable driver
and passenger bucket seats, an AM radio, and a floor mounted
shifter in a variety of color options. Ford added additional
interior options during the 1965 model year. The Interior Decor
Group was popularly known as "Pony Interior" due to the addition of
embossed running ponies on the seat fronts, and also included
integral armrests, woodgrain appliqu? accents, and a round gauge
cluster that would replace the standard Falcon instrumentation.
Also available were sun visors, a (mechanical) remote-operated
mirror, a floor console, and a bench seat. Ford later offered an
under-dash air-conditioning unit, and discontinued the vinyl with
cloth insert seat option, offered only in early 1965 models. One
option designed strictly for fun was the Rally-Pac. Introduced in
1963 after Ford's success at that year's Monte Carlo Rally and
available on other Ford and Mercury compacts and intermediates, the
Rally-Pac was a combination clock and tachometer[27] mounted to the
steering column. It was available as a factory ordered item for
US$69.30. Installed by a dealer, the Rally-Pac cost US$75.95.A 14"
rim option was available for Rally-pac and GT350R vehicles widening
front and rear track to 57.5". Reproductions are presently
available from any number of Mustang restoration parts sources.[26]
A compass, rear seat belts, A/C, and back-up lights were also
optional.[27]Nationwide survey of owners by Popular Mechanics
included many complaints about leg room.[28] Fuel economy was very
good for the period, with a published test by Popular Mechanics
rating the small 260 cubic inch V8 with automatic transmission at
20.93 mpg at 60 mph.[28]The 1966 Mustang debuted with moderate trim
changes including a new grille, side ornamentation, wheel covers
and gas cap. Ford's new C-4 "cruise-o-matic" three-speed auto
transmission became available for the 225 hp V8. The 289 "HiPo"
K-code engine was also offered with a c4 transmission, but it had
stronger internals and can be identified by the outer casing of the
servo which is marked with a 'C'. The long duration solid-lifter
camshaft that allowed the high revving 289 to make the horsepower
it was known for, was not friendly for a low stall speed automatic
torque converter. The "HiPo" could be spotted very easily by the
1-inch-thick (25 mm) vibration damper, (as compared to 1/2 inch on
the 225-hp version) and the absence of a vacuum advance unit on the
dual point distributor. With the valve covers off, there is a large
letter "K" stamped between the valve springs, along with screw in
studs (vs. a pressed in stud for other 289s) for the adjustable
rocker arms. A large number of new paint and interior color
options, an AM/eight-track sound system, and one of the first AM/FM
mono automobile radios were also offered. It also removed the
Falcon instrument cluster; the previously optional features,
including the round gauges and padded sun visors, became standard
equipment. The Mustang would be the best-selling convertible in
1966, with 72,119 sold, beating the number two Impala by almost
2:1.[29]The 1965 and 1966 Mustangs are differentiated by variations
in the exterior, despite similar design. These variations include
the emblem on the quarter-panels behind the doors. From August 1964
production, the emblem was a single vertical piece of chrome, while
for 1966 models the emblem was smaller in height and had three
horizontal bars extending from the design, resembling an "E". The
front intake grilles and ornaments were also different. The 1965
front grille used a "honeycomb" pattern, while the 1966 version was
a "slotted" style. While both model years used the "Horse and
Corral" emblem on the grille, the 1965 had four bars extending from
each side of the corral, while on the 1966, these bars were
removed. The 1966 model year saw introduction of 'High Country
Special' limited edition, 333 of them were sold in Colorado,
Wyoming, and Nebraska.[30]When Ford wanted to introduce the Mustang
in Germany, they discovered that Krupp company had already
registered the name for a truck.[31] The German company offered to
sell the rights for US$10,000. Ford refused and removed Mustang
badges from exported units, instead naming the cars as T-5 (a
pre-production Mustang project name) for the German market until
1979 when Krupp copyrights expired.
