1964 Ford Mustang Convertible
There were several names proposed before the Mustang was given its famous moniker. These included Cougar, Panther, Colt, Stiletto, Comet, Allegro and many more. Even Ford couldn't have predicted how successful the car would be. On the opening day, 22,000 units were sold, and dealerships were taking waiting lists for several days after. The 64 sports several cues of the 1964 1/2 model that were refined in 1965. Some of these are a large horn within the engine compartment, a generator in lieu of an alternator, specific louvering in the radiator support, no carpeting filling the gap between the rocker panel and the sill plate, and a center off fan position for the heater control.
For consignment, a 1964 Ford Mustang convertible with a 260 cubic inch V8 and recipient of restoration in 1992.
Exterior
Two stage paint in the car's original color, Rangoon Red, coats the car and who doesn't love a classic 'Stang in red? Red makes chrome and metal pop as it does here with wrap-around bumpers, the grille frame and cross bars, the faux side duct, windshield frame, and hardware. The 14-inch Styled Steel wheels look great too and wear red Mustang center caps that would look fine on any color car, but perfect on a red one! The white canvas top is naturally going to pick some soiling over time and there's slight evidence of that here, while the plastic rear window is clear. There's some separation around the outer brace and its canvas jacket and a few pinholes in the top. The metalwork and paint are excellent on this car and imperfections included a touched up chip, and bubbling down low.
Interior
Trim #85 lives on in the interior of the original pony car beginning with red vinyl door cards styled with swooping borders and a pleat stitched insert in great shape. Picture perfect low back vinyl bucket seats occupy the front with chrome frames and a pleated pattern that continues in the back seat, also robust and just about flawless. A shiny red steering wheel fronts that standard dash with two round gauges flanking the horizontal speedometer that tops out at 120. And just when the black backed gauge cluster offered contrast to the red, it's back in the beautiful tomato with a red dash pad and main dash structure where an AM/FM radio finds its home in the center. This is sandwiched by the black door of the glove box and the racy trim of the center console in black and silver with chrome T-handled shifter all in spectacular condition. Red looped carpet, like new, is protected by red carpeted Mustang branded floor mats and even the footwells are spotless.
Drivetrain
The fresh from factory look continues in the engine bay where the 260ci V8 presents cleanly and is rated at 164 horsepower. A single 2-barrel is the standard here, along with the C4 3-speed automatic transmission spinning the power back to the Ford 8" rear with 3.00 conventional gears. Drum brakes equip this car in the front and back. The retro style battery will score points at the Concours and the Ford blue paint shines bright.
Undercarriage
The underside is clean and, in some areas, spotless. There's minimal surface rust and no errant fluids or remnants of leaks anywhere. The dual exhaust flows into stock style mufflers after an H-pipe and then exits unceremoniously under the back of the car. Suspension is standard coil springs in front with leaf springs in the back. We do note several welded plates on the frame rails and the underside has been painted uniformly black.
Drive-Ability
Feeling very much like a test drive from 1965, the 260 cranks to life and purrs, or should we say whinnies onto the test loop with fine acceleration, good tracking, respectable braking, and nice handling. And for the cherry on top of this red car, every functional item works as intended! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
We're not sure if this has been in a plastic bubble since its restoration, but it certainly has been well cared for and that's obvious on every level. This is a fine example of the first year Mustang, one of the most iconic cars ever to grace the United States and a moniker that lives on in millions of cars on the road.
5F08F177512
5-1965
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
08-Mustang Convertible
F-260ci 2bbl 164hp V8
177512-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76A-Mustang Convertible, Standard Bucket Seats
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 85-Red Standard Vinyl
DATE 24F-June 24th
DSO 33-Detroit
AXLE 1-Ford 8" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 6-C4 Automatic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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