Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th-22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale, Arizona Auction at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Introduced in 1964, Ford's Mustang was the brainchild of Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca and product planner Hal Sperlich. Designed to compete with the then-popular rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair Monza, the Mustang pioneered the long-hood/short-deck styling that would soon be imitated by the me too copies from virtually all of Ford's competitors. Based on the Ford Falcon chassis and Fairlane drivetrain components, the Mustang was publicly launched at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964 as a mid-year model.
From introduction, the Mustang was an unqualified overnight sensation with its winning combination of sporty performance, personal luxury, and fresh styling, plus surprising affordability and strong value. The Mustang created its own market segment and as a result, it achieved the most successful new car launch in automotive history. In fact, while Ford product planners envisioned 100,000 first-year sales, the Mustang's sales totals actually reached 680,000 cars In large part, the Mustang's appeal, in addition to its trim size and sparkling performance, was due to the incredibly long list of factory-available options and accessories.
Interestingly, the Mustang was the result of a lengthy gestation process, with DNA rooted in Ford's early experiments with a mid-engine V-4 concept car with sleek, open bodywork. However, and rightly, Lee Iacocca envisioned a car with wider appeal - one that was compact and sporty with mechanical components shared with Ford's utilitarian but successful Falcon economy car. Iacocca succeeded in selling his idea to Ford Motor Company upper management, and the rest is history. Initially, two body-styles were available, a notchback coupe and a convertible, while the sleek 2+2 fastback would follow shortly thereafter in 1965.
A great offering without reserve, this 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is a historic early-production example of the first-generation Mustang, benefiting from a full restoration and finished in eye-catching livery comprising a Poppy Red paint finish over a beautiful Red interior, covered by a power-operated black vinyl convertible top. Powered by Ford's legendary 289 V-8 engine mated to a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, the Mustang is very well equipped with air conditioning, 14-inch wheels mounting whitewall tires and all new chrome and trim parts. A proven car-show winner, this first-generation Mustang convertible is ready to drive, show, and above all, enjoy
