Garage Kept/Very Nice Interior/200ci Inline 6/C4 Automatic

1965 Ford Mustang Coupe

Advertisements became popular reminders of the Mustang's youthful spirit, such as one featuring two mature adults sitting in a new Mustang with the words, “Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.” It was the car to have it you were seeking the fountain of youth. The 1965 Ford Mustang was the car to have if you were looking to win over your neighbor or hit the road for fun and adventure. It was also a must-have for enthusiastic drivers and car enthusiasts who simply liked to drive.

A consignor stated one owner car that underwent a restoration in 1995. Always garage kept since restored, and enjoyed to the tune of 108,000 original miles, however our consignor states that the drivetrain is not original. This is a car meant to be driven and enjoyed, not trailered from show to show.

Exterior
A Rangoon Red respray covers the exterior of this car and has some inclusions and chipping off on a few of the edges. The restored metal is mostly straight with small bubbling starting in the bottom of the passenger's door and drivers rear quarter panel. Thin mustache like chrome bumpers present well but could stand a weekend's worth of polishing to restore their former glory. All gaps are good, and the freshman year Mustang cove is showing off proudly. Standard Mustang wheel covers on all 4 corners and area wrapped in blackwall radial rubber.

Interior
Original buckets with tuck and roll stitched white vinyl in the center and smooth vinyl bolsters show in good shape, as does the rear bench in the same pattern. Racing between the buckets is a white console with a chrome and black topper. This console holds the T handle shifter and has a storage compartment at the front. Black carpet is fade free and covers the floors. The dash is in original Mustang configuration for the 1965 model year with a black camera case to hold the instrumentation and a matching black glovebox in front of the passenger. White metal below and a padded black vinyl topper is on top for safety. An original plastic steering wheel fronts the clean dash. All instruments work, and the headliner looks good and tight.

Drivetrain
Under the hood we see a 200ci inline 6-cylinder with a 1-barrel carburetor, which was the standard fare for the 65 Mustang. A Ford C4 Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission is behind and pushes power back to a Ford 7.25" rear axle with 2.83 gearing.

Drivability
A pump of the gas and twist of the key and we were off like a prom dress. Acceleration was adequate from the 200ci inline 6, handling was good, and braking was bias free. We did note that the transmission would occasionally "drop out" of gear. This could be due to a needed adjustment or simply needing to be driven after sitting for some time.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust can be seen, but this is typical of a “driver car”. Solid floor pans, toe kicks, and rockers can be seen from underneath. We do note that the rear unibody rails have been repaired at the tail end. Independent coil spring front suspension and rear leaf spring suspension is noted, and drum brakes are attached all around. Single exhaust snakes its way back through a stock style muffler and is solid.

Not every car can be a number matching garage queen that is rarely enjoyed. If you are seeking a concours restored car that you want as a “queen” this is not your car. If you are an early Mustang aficionado and want to drive your classic car, then look here. A clean, nicely preserved car, smooth runner, this could be your pony…Uhhhh Mustang!

VIN DECODE
5T07T172394
5-1965
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
07-2 Door Hardtop
T-200ci I6 1bbl
172394-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 65A-Hardtop, Standard Interior
COLOR I-Champagne Beige
TRIM D5-White & Red Vinyl
DATE 05T-June 5th 1965 Build Date
DSO 23-Philadelphia
AXLE 2-2.83 Conventional
TRANS 6-C4 Automatic