Vehicle Description
1965 Ford Mustang Convertible
The Mustang name, of course, was born with this car, allegedly
because aviation enthusiast and Ford Executive Stylist John Najjar
Ferzely felt the car resembled a P-51 Mustang airplane. An
alternate name-origin story suggests that designer Philip Clark
came up with it in reference to the wild horses he saw on a
cross-country trip. The horse angle, as opposed to the plane angle,
is the one that stuck in the end.
For consignment, a 1965 convertible version of the Ford Mustang.
This one has been modified a bit for some racing and showing, with
the front bumper removed and racing air dam installed, Bullitt
wheels, GT350 stripes and graphics applied, and an upgraded custom
carb and intake setup with a Toploader transmission. Originally a
mundane Mustang without the graphics, this car is ready to take all
the awards with its Shelby-esque add ons and a killer 351ci
4-barrel setup.
Exterior
With the GT350 option becoming available in 1965, this Mustang from
1965 in drop top format has been modified to look like a 1965
GT350R to a degree. The front bumper has been removed and
fiberglass racing fascia added, rear air duct brake cooler flaring,
(nonfunctional, but with added stainless honeycomb inserts), on the
rear quarter replacing the hockey stick insert, and molded in rear
quarter panel caps that meet up to the trunk mounted spoiler ala a
1967/68 Shelby GT500. A custom 1-piece nose now fills the factory
front metal and holds HID headlights with LED signal lights and
Halogen fog and driving lights. Aftermarket brushed aluminum door
handles compliment the Rotunda door mounted mirrors and the car was
then bathed in a miles deep coating of Performance White, and has
Chrysler Red painted on wide dual stripes running from bow to
stern. A pinned and honeycomb mesh filled scooped hood is seen and
covering the passenger compartment is a black canvas convertible
top with a wrinkled but clear rear window. Wrapping up the tail end
are billet bezels for the iconic taillights and in the center in a
CJ Pony Parts billet fuel door. Gaps are well minded, and 17 and
18-inch Bullitt wheels in white are wrapped with staggered width
blackwall tires. Chrysler Red GT351 badged stripes also grace the
rocker just above the bottom.
Interior
The original pattern red vinyl pony door panels are nicely
preserved, as are the handles knobs and pulls. Like new dual low
back bucket seats are covered in the pony style upholstery with
white tuck and roll inserts, smooth red bolsters, and embossed
running horses and chrome emblems on the uppers. The rear bench
seat matches the buckets in style and condition. The original 1965
dash setup in long oval form houses the gauges and presents nicely.
The dash now holds a 1966 gauge cluster which has factory gauges
within, but now presents with white facing and black numbers. This
is surrounded by a nicely applied wood applique and is fronted by a
galloping horse badged wood rimmed wheel. Airflow levers and
several knobs are on the lower dash, and the radio has been taken
out and replaced with a white steel panel. Red carpeted Mustang
logo embroidered floor mats cover the red carpet which remains in
near new condition, and more wood applique is on the glovebox door.
On the dash top in the center, is a Rotunda tachometer. Note in the
center of the buckets is a white 1966 full length console that is
dressed with even more applique and holds the shifter with a white
ball topper. The trunk has been recovered with interior matching
red carpet.
Drivetrain
A nice clean 351ci Windsor V8 is under the hood, and sports black
and red Ford Racing valve covers. On top of the aluminum intake
with a 4-barrel 750cfm Quickfuel carburetor and a custom Spectra
air box with dual filter elements. AFR aluminum heads have been
bolted to the mill and lighting the fire is a MSD ignition system.
Keeping things cool is a 4-row aluminum radiator and electric
cooling fan. A 4-speed manual T10 transmission with a Centerforce
clutch and pressure plate is on back, and a custom driveshaft sends
power to the consignor-stated 3.83 geared Ford 8.8-inch rear
axle.
Undercarriage
Underneath shows nearly no road dirt and no surface rust at all.
Just a calm sea of black for the solid strong steel unibody, Global
West subframe connectors and clean floor pans. The only deviation
from this black theme is the red painted underside of the
transmission, gold oil pan, and silver suspension components.
Speaking of the suspension, it's all new and for the front with
independent coil springs, and for the back are leaf springs. Both
ends have a 1" drop to give that low mean look. Disc brakes are
installed all around and have 13" SVE front rotors. Short length
headers flow down from the block and attach to dual exhaust with
Flowmaster mufflers before exiting the rear valance via chrome
trump style exhaust tips.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and all 8 candles lit right up. Off to the test
track, and it performed nicely with good solid acceleration, nice
handling, and good braking on the panic stop and prior to the tight
corners. All was functioning as it should save for the top not
meeting up to close at the windshield, but be prepared to become a
fan of constant attention, random thumbs up, and getting stopped to
answer questions about this build, just as I was during my
drive.
A nicely presenting Mustang drop top with a 351ci V8, some faux
brake cooling ducts for the back, and shaved of its front bumper.
Add in the complimenting interior, disc brake upgrade and a
multiple show winner including a people's choice winner at Ocean
City, MD Endless Summer show and being featured on the Junkyard
Empire TV series and you have a thoroughbred winner. Don't dally,
as this surefooted pony won't last long in our Hallowed Halls!
VIN DECODE
5F08A766891
5-1965
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
08-Mustang Convertible
A-289ci 4bbl V8 225hp
766891-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76A-Mustang Convertible, Standard Bucket Seats
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 26-Black Vinyl
DATE 23T-June 23rd Build
DSO 14-Pittsburgh
AXLE 1-3.00 Conventional
TRANS 5-4 Speed Manual
