Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible
s/n 5F08C397257
Rangoon Red with White Interior

In the spring of 1964, Ford surprised America with the mid-year launch of what would become one of the most successful automobiles of the century. Decades before people lined up for the first iPhone, eager buyers camped out at local dealerships, checkbook in hand, desperate to purchase a Mustang. A Detroit baker famously commented that his hotcakes were selling like Mustangs.

Not only was the Mustang an unprecedented sales success, it became a cultural icon of performance, style, and affordable fashion. Key to the phenomenal appeal was the range of styles, power train offerings, and convenience options one could order. A standard 6 cylinder, thrifty coupe was as stylish as a higher optioned and more potent V8, and the sporty fastback even more of a performer with the HiPo 289 – the very genesis of the Shelby GT350. The Mustang would not only invent the classification of “Pony Car”, but dominate that category for more than half a century as one of the premier American performance cars decade after decade.

This beautiful Mustang convertible was assembled at the Dearborn, Michigan plant, January 12, 1965 and coded for District Sales Office of Dallas, Texas. According to the VIN and door tag, this convertible was factory finished in Rangoon Red, assembled with the 289 2 barrel carburetor V8, paired with the C4 automatic transmission and mated with a 2.80:1 solid rear axle. A standard interior with bucket seats and red appointments (carpet and dash) were further ordered when new. The car was the subject of an exceptional restoration to very high standards, completed in 2000. The current owner purchased it shortly after in 2004. Expert Mustang restoration specialist Angelo DelMonte addressed the car in every respect with the goal of winning top awards at major national events. To achieve this standard, the car was completely disassembled and every finish, surface, and piece of hardware was meticulously detailed including assembly tags, correct hoses, and fender inspection marks. A photo book included with the car shows the restoration process including factory correct undercarriage detailing. The car was beautifully prepared and finished, proving the intentions to win with award after award in top Mustang shows including just a sampling noted here:

2000 Carolina Grand National – Gold
2000 AACA National Fall Meet – First
2001 AACA Grand National Senior Award - First
2001 Mustang Club of America Grand National – Gold
2001 Speedorama Best Antique/Restored
2002 AACA Grand National Senior Award - First
2002 ISCA Best Antique/Restored
2003 ISCA Eastern Division Class Champion

Most recently, the car was shown at the 2010 Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance where it won First in Class. A two-page document of specific show preparation instructions accompanies the car outlining the care and attention to detail afforded when it was competitively shown. Carefully stored since restoration and driven less than 100 miles, the car remains extremely nice. It currently shows 27,062 miles, and a 2010 service record performed with 27,038 miles validates the car has traveled less than 30 miles over the past seven years.

Today, this Mustang Convertible still displays wonderfully glossy paint with excellent finish and deep luster. Panel gaps are consistent and closures are very nicely finished with excellent door jamb, inner fenders, and under-hood paint. The chrome has all been very nicely done and still shows deep reflections with minor haze and light aging. Lighting, lenses, and various exterior trim are all in excellent condition. The power convertible top raises and lowers smoothly and the rear plastic window is clear and taut as is the top when latched in position. The side glass raises and lowers smoothly and both doors open and close easily. The optional Rallye wheels are in excellent condition, properly restored with chrome finish and argent silver painted inserts. The narrow band white wall tires are correct for the period but show some aging and should be replaced if the new owner wishes to do long distance drives.

The interior is essentially as one might expect if they were in a Ford showroom in 1965 looking to purchase a new Mustang. All finishes and surfaces are beautifully restored including all plated dashboard parts, correct black textured instrument and glove box inserts, crystal clear instruments and warning lights, beautifully detailed knobs, all accented by a handsome white steering wheel and tri-spoke racing-themed horn bar. The red and white two-tone interior is spectacular both in finish and presentation. The dashboard top surface is clean and unmarked, carpeting correct and very tidy, and the interior door and side panels beautifully finished in correct matching white. Contrasting red front seat belts finish off the interior, standard equipment for all Mustangs in 1965. The trunk is correctly finished with factory vinyl grey mat using the correct material and pattern, proper spare tire, and correct jacking instruction sticker on the underside of the trunk lid. Paint and finishes are correct and in excellent condition.

Like the interior, the under hood presentation looks very much like what one would have expected to see in the showroom in 1965. The engine has been not only correctly restored, but meticulously maintained to the high standard required for a show car. The correct gold finish air cleaner, housing the 2 barrel carburetor, matches with the gold valve covers, per factory assembly. Engine bay finishes are not only factory correct, proper fender inspection stamps have been faithfully done to match the 1965 assembly process. All hardware, trim, various accessory items, and correct date coded hoses with accurate clamps are all present and properly positioned. The undercarriage reflects the minimal miles this car has traveled since restoration with nearly new finishes accurately reflecting original assembly and coatings including correct red oxide primer floor pans, raw steel finishes, proper rubber bushings and chassis grommets, and correctly finished Ford orange rear pumpkin. The extent of the restoration goes so far as to duplicate the correct amount of factory overspray from satin black to underbody finishes just as it was finished during the heyday when Ford could barely meet fervent customer demand for the popular Mustang.

The car starts, stops, a drives as one might expect from a comprehensively restored car. Despite its limited use in recent years, it does not appeared to suffered any of the typical problems associated with sitting. It starts easily and goes and stops well. The 289 engine and C4 automatic transmission allow for quick jaunts up to freeway speeds with an effortless, satisfying driving experience that makes the driver feel instantly cool. The brakes stop the car with composure and minimal fade, just as reported in road tests more than half a century ago. Driving in this V8 Mustang one can clearly see how Carroll Shelby was inspired by the performance and reliability in the uniquely designed Mustang.

Optioned for the enthusiast driver with the added bonus of top-down cruising, this restored, multiple show winning Mustang convertible is ready for additional shows, pleasant drives, or simply as a continued preservation piece, much like the current owner has done for the past 13 years. The car is offered with two large boxes of carefully wrapped trophies, plaques, and award platters, a photo book documenting the restoration, and a copiously detailed overview of care and protection for all the finishes when preparing for the show field. Sought-after when new and continuing today as one of the most significant American cars of all time, this classic Mustang delivers on the same promises of sporty, snappy, and stylish design just as it did when Mustang Fever spread across America decades ago.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608