Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, American sports car fans were lapping up British imports in their thousands, with models such as the Austin-Healey 3000 and Jaguar XK120/140 seeing over 75 per cent of their total production shipped Stateside. 

But all that would change in 1964, when the original ‘Pony Car’ appeared. The Ford Mustang was stylish, affordable, easy to own and great to drive. It was just what American customers wanted.

It came with a wide range of engines, both six-cylinder and V8, and was sold as a coupé, a ‘notchback’ and a convertible, which is what we have here.

This is a fascinating car with a great history, having been owned from 1966 until 2019 by just one owner, who bought it new. The car is currently in Spain and was comprehensively recommissioned two years ago to bring it up to the standard in which it is presented. 

On February 11, 1966, Benjamin D Cheslick Jnr of Manville, New Jersey, walked into his local Ford Agent, Nassau Motor Company of Princeton, and handed over US $2,732 for a new Sauterne Gold Mustang Convertible. 

He specified a few options – an electric roof, two-speed wipers, an AM radio, wire wheel covers and underseal, the latter of which has helped the car to survive in the condition you see it in today. 

He kept the car and maintained it himself right up until 2019, when the car was acquired by a collector in Spain and exported to the Mediterranean. 

It was returned to the road, with a full mechanical recommission and some cosmetic work and is now offered for sale as a two-owner vehicle.

The most interesting thing that comes with this car is its original bill of sale from the Nassau Motor Company in Princeton, New Jersey. The fact that the receipt has survived in as good condition as the car shows that the owner was very careful about looking after it.

It currently has a Spanish registration document and all of the import paperwork and tax duties were paid when it arrived there in 2019. 

Finished in striking Sauterne Gold – more green than gold,  this is a car that epitomises an iconic era of affordable American muscle and in the process manages to be as cool as the idea of a night out with Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, accompanied by a bottle of bourbon and the Beach Boys.

It's a fabulous piece of classic Americana that couldn't be more faultless in its appearance if it tried. 

It's in remarkable condition, too. The vendor says that there is no rust at all either on top or underneath, once the car was given a full respray in its original colour when it arrived in Spain in 2019. it still looks absolutely fantastic to this day.

The cabin is gloriously of its era,  with black vinyl seats, black carpets and dark wood-effect panelling in the dashboard. 

It's the details that make it, though. In 2019, the car received a complete interior reupholstery with new carpets, complete seats and central armrest. 

A high quality stereo and FOCAL brand speakers were installed and the vendor installed a central locking alarm with remote control, to help keep thieves at bay. 

It also has a full tonneau cover so you can leave it parked with the roof down.

Everything is in excellent condition, as you’d expect from a car that has been fully refurbished. 

It's the attention to detail that was applied to the mechanics when this car was recommissioned that really make it stand out. 

The engine was fully refurbished to original specification, with fresh oil, filters and plugs, and the gearbox has been completely rebuilt. It also has had a complete exhaust system from the manifold back. It has a brand new and oversized aluminium radiator, a new thermostat and a fan with five blades and a larger diameter to keep the engine cool. 

The carburettor has been rebuilt, a high starting power AGM battery has been added and aftermarket air conditioning has been installed, respecting the original design.

There are other comfort and convenience features, too. It has been converted from front drum brakes to disc brakes. A double piston master cylinder with servo braking has been added to greatly improve the braking of the car. Fresh rear shoes and cylinders and new shock absorbers have been

installed.

Originally, it came without power steering. A power steering box has been incorporated to maintain the original styling of the car, and it’s simple and easy to drive.

This car is an icon. One of the most famous American cars of its era in an extremely cool and desirable specification, improved to make it more usable in modern life but without taking anything away from its appearance of originality. 

It’s a lovely car and a wonderful slice of America history.