Description
Coming to auction at Wilton House for the Concours Des Legendes, 19-21 June, full catalogue now online, search Dore & Rees Motoring for further info.
1965 Ford Mustang 289 Fastback
Registration: KHH 798C
Chassis Number: 5R09C256048
Recorded Mileage: 4, 450 miles (see text)
The Ford Mustang was conceived in the full knowledge that in the mid 1960s the biggest population bubble in history was now coming of age in America, ‘baby boomers' would rule the '60s and there was little or no reason to think that they wanted to drive cars that were anything like the ones their parents owned. The dramatic new Ford Mustang, therefore, created a storm when it hit the streets and it still does to this day. Ford wanted to make the Mustang affordable, and consequently, it needed to share much of its engineering with an existing Ford product, so it made sense to use the Falcon as it was their smallest model at the time and its floor pan and drivetrain had only recently been designed saving considerably on 'tooling' costs.
The Mustang was initially offered as either a ‘Notchback' Coupé or a Convertible with the 'Fastback' appearing later. It shared its front double-wishbone/ coil spring and leaf spring rear suspension with the Falcon but compared to the saloon the cockpit sat further back on the chassis, resulting in a longer front and shorter rear end design and both its roof and bonnet were also lower in comparison. Those proportions somehow just worked, and with a full complement of new styling details such as the galloping horse in the grille, the cut-away side sections, the 3-section rear lights and that 'get outta my way' front end, everyone wanted one.
This very attractive early Mustang 289 Fastback was first delivered in the summer of 1965, according to the attached trim tag to the following specification:
Body code 63A – Fastback with standard interior
Color Y – Silver Blue
Trim 22 – Blue vinyl
Date 13V – August 13, 1965 production
DSO 62 - Houston DSO
Axle 6 – 2. 80:1 rear axle ratio
Trans 6 – C-4 automatic transmission
Before arriving into the UK in 2023 via California, we understand the Mustang was refinished in its original shade of Silver Blue, with the seating retrimmed in blue vinyl. Power is provided by a 289ci V8 fed via an Edelbrock intake manifold, paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The look is completed with American Racing 15″ wheels, 205/ 60 BFGoodrich Radial T/ A tyres, and chrome bumpers.
Once registered in the UK, the Mustang was extensively rustproofed, with further attention to the suspension in order to improve handling. The rear axle was changed for a 1:2. 73 item, allowing the Ford to sit at the correct ride height to the rear, and an upgraded Edelbrock AVS2 carburettor fitted. Subsequently the car was rolling road tuned to ensure a correct set up, and has since been driven for c. 6, 000 miles of longer runs. The current indicated mileage is c. 4, 500 miles (however we believe 104, 500 miles to be a more accurate mileage reading for the car).
Finished in its original colour scheme, and offered with a UK V5c, owner’s manuals, import documents and receipts since 2023, this is a beautiful example of an all time American Classic.
