Private Owner/Seller
Virtually Original 'C' Code Mustang
153,839 miles
289 V8 - 200hp with 3 Speed Manual Transmission
Seller's Ask: $22,900. USD
Without any doubt we can now confirm that Ford's Introduction of the Mustang, the original Pony Car, at the World's Fair back in 1964 was a triumph. A car that transformed the marketplace and the minds of the masses, not only in America, but across the world. Everybody who saw it wanted it, and Ford, a little dumfounded by the vast market demand, had to play catchup to provide Mustangs in the numbers that their customers wanted.
Ford had a true winner on it's hands and they worked day and night to address the demands of the market, building a shocking 400,000 Mustangs in it's first year of production. The Millionth Mustang rolled off the factory floor in March 1966, and by the third year of production there were over 500 Mustang focused car clubs across America. Talk about automotive enthusiasm, the early Mustang was a car market rock star!
Two of the many millions that came down with Mustang Fever were a young couple living in Arizona back in 66... those two. the owners of this 66 Mustang, Leonard & Kathryn pooled their funds and headed down to the local Ford Dealer determined to buy into the Mustang Dream by buying a brand new Mustang Coupe. Clearly they were working a little on the financial edge and they didn't have much to invest, but they did have an well aged 57 Ford to trade and when they combined the cash that they had on hand $115. and the $282. the kindly Ford Rep gave them for their trade in, they had the $395.00 needed for a down payment on the Mustang of their dreams.
Of course they had to find a way to finance the remainder and the good folks at Valley National Bank were more than happy to provide a car loan to the couple for the outstanding $2825.00. For the next 36 months Leonard & Kathryn had to come up with the $95.15 to pay off the Mustang, but they were living the dream.
Yes their Mustang dreams were simpler than some, and the Mustang they purchased was basic, with very few of the 'I want' options that could be had at the time. No it was not a GT Fastback optioned up with all the faux euro sports car trim, the fancy Pony Interior and the slightly more potent 225hp 289. Their desires and needs were simpler than all that, yes they wanted, the must have 289 V8, and a Manual Transmission, but the rest of the fluff was either thought unnecessary or simply too costly for their limited budget back in 1966. All said it was a Mustang. it was gorgeous in it's Springtime Yellow set against its sporty Black Interior, and Leonard & Kathryn were truly smitten, so much so, this couple has never been able to let it go!
Through the years their treasured Mustang went from their daily driver to weekend toy and in recent years more a piece of Garage Art than a car that was driven often. Yet their love for their Mustang never faded, always treated as more of a family pet then a means of transportation, respected, cared for and kept out of harms way, away from the damaging elements of the sun and moisture. Of course the super dry, clean Arizona climate was a big plus and even their later move to sunny California helped in supporting the cause, allowing this Mustang to remain near unimaginably Rust Free from birth.
Ford never expected the Mustang to become what it turned out to be. In many ways it started life as a re-bodied Falcon, Ford's 60's econo car, but as the excitement built, and the orders went off the chart, the Mustang took on a life of it's own and Ford was more than thrilled to go along for the ride. The Mustang Mystique was soon pumped up by Ford in cahoots with the likes of Carroll Shelby to meet the sporting aspirations of it's adoring enthusiast crowd, and the simple little Mustang was soon turned into something very special indeed.
Old Mustangs matter, as not only have they remained the focus of a diehard breed of enthusiast for all these years, but much more than that, is the fact that today nearly six decades after the first Mustangs were introduced, they continue to remain true items of desire, not just to those dedicated enthusiasts, but also to the vast millions worldwide who's hearts took flight when they caught their first glimpse of a passing Mustang. Then as now, Mustangs are pure Eye Candy for the adoring masses!
As you may or not know we at SportsCarLocate have been chasing cars for our clients for over a decade now, and although we have successfully located far more Porsche cars than we have old Mustangs, it has always been a car very close to our hearts and a car that we simply cannot ignore.
I fell for the Mustang from the first time I saw one in the Road & Track magazines my older brother in law shared with me back in the day. In 1964 when the Mustang was first introduced I was but a young teen, primed to fall in love, and like so many, in those early days of automotive enthusiasm, I fell hard and fast for the Mustang. It took quite some time before I saw my first one in the flesh, but I have to say finding one in the wild, on the ground, right in front of me, did not in anyway minimize my lust for the Mustang.
My eyes had been opened and I was continually on the lookout for another sighting. In my neighbourhood, way back them, the Mustangs on display were much like Leonard's & Kathryn's car, more basic than burnish up with all the optional toys added on, but I didn't care in the least, because every glimpse was for me pure joy. There was simply something just right about the lines, the proportions, the hints of hidden performance that spoke to me back in the 60s and still speak to me until this day. Sure I have owned, driven, chased and seen much in the way of automotive finery, but I have never become jaded when it comes to aging Mustangs, they continue to catch my eye, quicken my pulse and take me back to the glorious days of my youth.
Although there is and will likely never be much of a shortage of old Mustangs in the marketplace, Mustangs with this heritage, this undeniable provenance and originality are now very rare as they have all but disappeared. Yes on any given day you can still find an aging Mustang locally, or far afield, online or off, but finding one that comes anywhere close to this: a virtually original, non corroded, dry climate find, unmolested and treasured for a lifetime, by one adoring couple... now that is a true RARITY!
Look at the pictures, review the documents dig as deep as you wish and you will come to understand our excitement for this find. This Mustang, although basic when built, it was truly special to the couple that bought it and cared for it over the past 55years. From birth it was one of millions and therefore never rare, but now 55 years later, it specialness has emerged and it's rarity is of little doubt. Near any true enthusiast or knowledgeable collector knows that value is far more than the simple hard asset... it is not just the car, as it is often more the car's unique life story, that makes it special. Being special, and therefore different than the rest, adds true value both intrinsic and real.
The images tell much of the tale here, nothing hidden or unexposed - it is a real, yet raw beauty, with all of it's glorious patina in full view - reportedly one repaint in it's original Springtime Yellow some 25 years ago and one Engine Rebuild nearby the same time. The car reportedly runs and drives well with no known issues other than the original dealer add-on A/C, which is no longer pumping out the cold. All A/C parts are connected, present and accounted for, but it's been years since the Freon has been recharged.
For me given it's long and special history I wouldn't touch much of anything unless the car cried out for repair. I would leave it virtually as it sits, driving and enjoy it sparingly. That said I would likely spray the underside with light corrosion retardant (not heavy undercoating) and leave it at that, keeping it dry and well hidden from the elements.
That would be me, now of course you may wish to take another direction with this corrosion free 'C' Code V8, it is ripe for enhancement and, or, sympathetic modification if you so wish, a rare clean slate Classic Mustang upon which you can place your own stamp... once in your garage it is up to you!
This car is currently in the possession of it's original owners. Both Leonard & Kathryn are now at an age that has necessitated that they downsize their accommodation and have recently moved from their large (Two Car Garage) California home to smaller quarters without sufficsient garage space to secure the Mustang away from the elements. Since making their move the owners are now storing the vehicle close by at a auto storage facility that specializes in classics and exotics. Sadly they have come to the realization that keep their Mustang now makes little sense, and they have jointly made the decision to finally, after a lifetime with the car, let it go onto it's next caretaker.
Are you ready to take on the role of Mustang Caretaker and keep Leonard's & Kathryn's automotive lovechild in the manner in which it rightfully deserves.?
This is a uniquely nice, true survivor Mustang, that has been shown a unusual measure of unrestrained love by its lifelong keepers, a car the likes of which you may never have access too again. Is it perfect.. the quick answer is no, and if it were it would likely be priced well beyond the number it is being offered at. This Classic Mustang 'Survivor' is being made available at an attainable price that most anyone with a desire to own such a car, can readily afford.
This is not 'give away' priced, but from our unique vantage point overlooking the marketplace daily, we suspect that if cared for, the next owner can near guarantee it's value stability with a strong longer range potential for a light touch of value appreciation. The rarity of the piece, the provenance, the originality and the current condition conspire to ensure that this Mustang will always remain special indeed!
Is it perfection? Clearly, once again the answer would have to be no, as would be expected of any virtually original 55 year old. That said having looked at these aging Mustangs for decades, I would have to suggest that this is likely the best all round, unmolested example that you are likely to ever find, now or in the nearby future, down at this very sensible, highly digestible price point.
This is a very difficult to source One Owner, 66 Mustang that is not just ready, but willing to get you out on the road to experience for yourself all of the glorious attributes that this Pony Car offers it's very lucky driver. This is not a show off type of Mustang, but trust me when I say all eyes will be upon you as you drive by. Dropped jaws are the norm, friendly questions at the gas pumps are to be expected and appreciated stares from the masses cannot be avoided. This beautiful Mustang won't stir up the jealous rage that can be commonly experienced by those driving a GT350 or an exotic from the modern era... no, this car is representative of the Mustang that the masses first fell in love with back in the day, a car the world still loves to see out on the road.
It is important to understand that for the current owners of this treasure, the hands of time and the loss of space is forcing this sale... it is not a car that they actually wish to release back into the pool, but for them as it is for all of us, the clock keeps ticking and time moves on!
I would highly recommend that you take the time to look at the imaging provided by the seller on this unique offering. Inside, outside, the engine bay and even the underside of this example is simply not the norm that you'll find, when you start seriously chasing earlier Mustangs. Most available Mustangs have been significantly altered, rusted through or worse quickly patched with bondo, cheap paint and lathered in black undercoating to hide, the near always found, significant underside corrosion. Not this Mustang!
This I believe is a true opportunity for buyers on either side of the border. Please take the time to compare this against the others languishing around the marketplace, as unlike those cars this is not a Mustang that is suffering from extended neglect, or terminal rot! Trust me when I say that taking any of those cars up to the standard set by this one, will prove to be a very painful and shockingly costly process.
So no matter where you are Canada the U.S. or elsewhere on the globe we suggest that you don't hold back,. Give us a call or connect by email to discuss this opportunity further, more pics are available and we are happy to seekout the answers to any questions you may have.
International Buyers take note as given the cars age (30+) it is an easy export to near any region of the world.
Direct from the seller to your driveway! SportsCarLocate's has for the past 11 years focused an custom vehicle location services, and we often come across some fabulous opportunities on really nice Sports, Muscle & Exotics from every era. This is one such find!
SportsCarLocate is not a vehicle dealer and we do not broker, buy, sell or trade in vehicles at any time. All vehicles shared on this web site are offered for sale by their current owners and all agreements to purchase are solely between the buyer and the seller!
Note: SportsCarLocate's buyer premium is 5% on this vehicle's end value.
Leonard's & Kathryn's Mustang at rest!
Sportscarlocate
© 2020 SportsCarLocate - All Rights Reserved