For Sale: 1966 Ford Mustang in Bradenton, Florida

1966 Ford Mustang Convertible �€" 289 V8, Wimbledon White over Red, Cruise-O-Matic Why This Car Is Special The 1966 Ford Mustang convertible sits at an interesting crossroads in the model's history. Ford had already proven the Mustang concept beyond any reasonable doubt with the 1964½ and 1965 cars, and for 1966 they refined what was already working rather than reinventing it. The result was a cleaner, slightly more polished Mustang that outsold even the record-setting 1965 model �€" Ford moved over 607,000 Mustangs for the 1966 model year, making it the highest-production year in first-generation Mustang history. Within that enormous production run, the convertible occupied a specific role. It was the most expensive body style in the lineup and represented a smaller share of total output than the hardtop or fastback. The open-air configuration added structural reinforcement to compensate for the missing roof, which contributed to the convertible's solid, planted feel that owners still comment on today. This particular 1966 Ford Mustang convertible is finished in Wimbledon White �€" one of Ford's most classic and period-correct color choices for the model �€" with a red vinyl interior, a white convertible top, and a tan convertible top boot. The combination is correct, coherent, and immediately recognizable as a car from this specific era. The VIN on this car decodes to a San Jose, California assembly plant build, with a V8 engine and automatic transmission as factory-specified equipment �€" details that align precisely with what you see on this car today. The 289 cubic inch small-block V8 was the engine that made the Mustang's reputation. It was available in several states of tune in 1966, and the two-barrel version paired with the Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic was the practical choice for buyers who wanted genuine V8 character without the additional cost or complexity of the high-performance variants. That combination �€" torquey small-block, smooth automatic, open top �€" is exactly what made the 1966 Mustang convertible the car that it was. Features List - 289ci V8 Engine - Cruise-O-Matic 3-Speed Automatic Transmission - Edelbrock Air Cleaner - Edelbrock Fuel Filter - Dual Exhaust - White Convertible Top - Tan Convertible Top Boot - Red Vinyl Interior - Front Bucket Seats - Rear Seat - Center Console - 5-Gauge Instrument Cluster - Factory AM Radio - Pony Floor Mats - Front and Rear Seat Belts - Styled Steel Wheel Covers - Whitewall Tires - Chrome Bumpers - Side Rocker Moldings - Exterior Radio Antenna - Undercoated Floor Pans - Aluminum Radiator - Drum Brakes All Around Mechanical The 289 cubic inch V8 under the hood of this 1966 Ford Mustang convertible is a well-sorted unit wearing an Edelbrock air cleaner and an Edelbrock inline fuel filter �€" two widely respected aftermarket pieces that improve airflow and fuel delivery without altering the engine's fundamental character. The Edelbrock air cleaner in particular is a familiar sight on period small-blocks, and it fits the visual profile of this engine bay better than most alternatives. The transmission is Ford's Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic, operated through the center console-mounted shifter. Ford used the Cruise-O-Matic name across several of their automatic transmissions during the 1960s, and the unit fitted to the 289-equipped Mustang was a well-proven design that held up reliably in everyday use. Having the shifter mounted in the console rather than on the column was the correct setup for a bucket seat car like this one, and it gives the interior a purposeful, driver-oriented feel. The exhaust exits through a dual system, which is appropriate for a V8 Mustang of this era and gives the car a noticeably more authoritative exhaust note than the single-outlet setup found on six-cylinder cars. Cooling is handled by an aluminum radiator, an upgrade over the original copper-brass unit that improves heat rejection �€" a meaningful improvement for a car that