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 one is a late version of the original mustang, with the wider front grille fitted from 1971, while the extra driving lamps in the front grille mark it out as a 1973 model year car, built from 1972 onwards. It has Ford’s venerable ‘FE’ V8 engine, seen here in 302Ci (or 5.0-litre) form, with a three-speed auto transmission.
 
The vendor acquired the car a few years ago after spotting it for sale by the roadside in Norfolk. He used it for a few years as a scruffy but solid runner, then between 2020 and 2022 set about getting it comprehensively restored as a Lockdown project. Over £30,000 later after the attentions of a highly respected Mustang specialist here it is, a remarkable fully-restored example in superb overall condition – for sale because the vendor is downsizing his collection to focus on other projects.

 

The vendor enjoyed the Mustang for a decade before taking it off the road to be restored, and he reports that it was always a good runner and was very solid all over before it was taken off the road. But that didn’t stop him treating the car to an open chequebook restoration at the Mustang Workshop, which went over every inch of the car on top and underneath during its rebuild.

It received some minor underbody welding and new panels where needed, a brand-new power-electric soft-top and a stunning set of period Cragar alloy wheels, as well as a fantastic respray in the original Ford Blue.

It’s presented in fabulous condition. The bodywork is near flawless and the interior is equally as good, trimmed to the owner’s tastes in two-tone blue and white diamond-weave leather with contrasting carpets and door cards.

Under the bonnet you’ll find Ford’s familiar 302Ci ‘FE’ V8, which sounds incredible, barking into life before settling into a smooth and steady idle. It’s a great engine – and both it and the automatic transmission were fully overhauled during the car’s restoration.

The same applies to the running gear – each braking, suspension or steering component was stripped and either replaced, reconditioned or overhauled during the car’s rebuild. It truly does want for nothing.

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies. 

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details. 

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only. 

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 

✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing. 

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