Vehicle Description
1966 Ford Mustang Hardtop
Born Oct. 15, 1924, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Italian
immigrants, Lee Iacocca went to work for the Ford Motor Company as
an engineer after finishing college. Not long afterward, he
switched to Ford's marketing and sales side. Iacocca quickly rose
through the ranks and was made Ford president in 1964. During his
tenure, he championed the highly successful Mustang but clashed
with Ford chief Henry Ford II, who fired him in 1978 after 32 years
with the company. He took over struggling Chrysler, now part of
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a few months later and brought the
automaker back from the brink of bankruptcy by going to Washington
in 1979 and persuading the federal government to guarantee $1.2
billion in loans to the company. He closed plants and cut the
workforce and wages at all levels, including his own salary to $1 a
year. When the company rebounded, he made $20 million.
For consignment, an example of the Iacocca brainchild in the flesh
here in the Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall. Purchased by the
consigner's mother in 1966 it served as her daily driver until
1984. At this time it went through a full restoration over the
course of 1986 through 1992 when it was finally completed. The use
of OEM parts and other add ons are just a few of the meticulously
thought out moves made during this restoration which still shines
brightly.
Exterior
Vintage Burgundy covers the exterior of this car. Exterior steel
panels are straight and rust free. The galloping horse leads the
way and directly above is a long pony hood, which is actually where
the pony car got its name, long hood, short rear deck, 2 doors
equals pony car. Badging and brite-work is all present and
accounted for and shows as remaining mostly very shiny. Paint is in
good condition with minor dulling and a few faults, which are
unremarkable. The hockey stick cove, black vinyl top, triple V tail
lighting and rear roll pan backup lights wrapped by deep shiny
bezels are truly classic on this Gen 1 car. 14-inch factory
triangulated pattern wheels are wrapped in black wall rubber on all
4 corners. This car harkens back to what it would have looked like
in the showroom when it caught your eye and you just had to have
it, just like the other 607,568 folks that had the same
attraction.
Interior
Again looking much line the original with the low back bomber
styled buckets, tuck and roll inserts black and have a few tears
revealing the underlying foam are noted. Smooth bolsters also in
black are framed with a chrome trimming on the upper edge which
doubles as the hinge covering. A sleek aluminum clad center console
covers the hump and runs through the buckets and then rises to the
dash. On the way is the T styled shift lever. Door panels are
styled nicely, and in black vinyl. The dash is all black complete
with the original instrument cluster and lower knobs and
temperature levers. Black carpeting is on all floors and looking in
good condition. Looking up, and we see a black textured tight
headliner in vinyl with no stains, or tears. Nicely done.
Drivetrain
The original 289ci V8 is within the simple black painted engine
bay. This blue block and blue valve cover engine has a 2 barrel
carburetor with a blue painted single snout air cleaner covering
complete with the correct sticker. On the back of this V8 mill is a
C4 3-speed automatic. The rear axle is a Ford 8-inch. Our consignor
stated this engine has been completely rebuilt during the late 80's
to early 90's restoration process. Right down to the FoMoCo window
washer bag hanging on the driver's side of the bay, things are
looking good!
Undercarriage
Plenty of factory rustproofing is on all surfaces, and just some
spotty surface rust is noted. Structurally sound and stamped floor
pans have a bit of repair on their rear edges, but performed
sufficiently. Rockers have some surface rust where the outer body
meets the floor underneath. Independent coil springs for the front
suspension, and leaf springs for the rear, work with drum brakes
all around.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, good runner and smooth automatic shifting, this
car handled our test track with flying colors, or at least Vintage
Burgundy! All functions were working, and the interior is good
given it is mostly original.
Overall a turn key car, great color combination, well maintained,
and a fun car to drive. Year 2 of the ubiquitous Mustang, which
everyone had to have at one point in their life.. Is it your time
now? 600K people couldn't be wrong could they?
6-1966
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
07-Mustang Hardtop
C-289ci V8 2bbl 200hp
280567-Sequential Unit Number
BUCK TAG
C/O-Customer Ordered
479-Rotation Number
13-Welding Bay #
65A-Mustang Hardtop, Standard Buckets
X-Vintage Burgundy
26-Black Standard Vinyl Buckets
13-New York
G7-July 7th Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.