1964 Ford MUSTANG 289

This is an interesting car for so many reasons, both in terms of its own life and where it comes in the model’s history. It is actually a very early Mustang - underline ‘very’ - produced before the model had even gone on public release. The official records state it was built in March 1964, sales only officially started on April 17th 1964.

‘It was bought by a lady in California,’ explains owner Chris. ‘It was her 65th birthday present - from dealer in San Jose.’ He adds that her husband was actually a drag racer. Perhaps together they specc’d the car with the 289 V8, as well as the higher spec four-barrel carburettor. ‘She kept it into her nineties,’ Chris enumerates. ‘She eventually sold it to the mechanic who looked after it.’ It seems as though he was a tuner and racer too.

The car then went to Chicago for a couple of years and then on to Connecticut where it was ‘found’ by Chris. ‘I saw this lonely Mustang sitting in a muscle car dealership. I was struck by the integrity of the bodywork.’ More so when he was able to inspect it on the garage’s ramp. ‘But the interior looked tired.’

Once in the UK, Chris treated the lonely Mustang to a full bare metal respray, a mechanical fettling and an interior refresh (2015). Looking good and with a little help from the Owners’ Club and Classic Car Weekly, the burgundy Mustang took part in James May’s ‘13 cars that changed history’ display at the London Classic Car Show that same year.

It has since gone on to quite a few shows around Cheshire and Derbyshire, winning a couple of awards along the way. ‘And it drives very well.’ Adds Chris - ‘All tuned up, it purrs along. Sheer joy.’

Editor: please note, the text here is written by the same member of The Market team who took the photo set below and so is based on first-hand experience. The Mustang is currently stabled in the Peak District.

These early Mustangs have got some strong angles and folds across panels; parallel lines that can give the game away if there is twisting or sagging in the structure, but everything lines up nicely on this car. And doors, boot and bonnet all open without complaint and leave nice, narrow shut lines when they’re closed.

It’s around four years since the Mustang was restored, but the paint finish is looking as good as when it left the paint shop (at Avante Car Bodies near Matlock Derbyshire). Chris was very particular to source the original colour - from the Anglo Dutch Paint Company - and the colour compares well with the photos of the car taken in the ’States. It retains a deep shine that remains consistent across all the panels. What’s more; if you start to look into nooks and crannies - behind hinges and under lids, there is no sign of rust or lingering crud. The seams between panels and the gullies of the water drains also remain corrosion-free. Both Chris and the guys at Avante attest to how solid and clean the body was/is when stripped back to bare metal, and it remains that way still.

The chrome too is similarly good. There is slight speckling to the front bumper (the one at the back is new), but window surrounds are particularly good-looking; straight, bright, and with very neat joints and corners. Handles and door mirrors are similarly robust - no rattles or wobbles - and all those terribly important 289 and Mustang badges are bright and securely mounted. Probably most important of all, the charging pony on the grill looks very well groomed.

The Mustang’s silver-on-black interior remains very striking and one of its strongest and most attractive features - in no small measure because everything is present and correct - and in such good condition (of course). ‘The car had new underlay and black carpet - and kick panels,’ Chris points out. It’s also had new window and door felts and fresh underlay and matting in the boot. And those straight and shiny aluminium sill plates are new too. One or two things were actually done in the States. Says Chris; ‘The inertia reel seat belts were installed there; and the air con cleaned and sterilised too.’

The interior chrome looks very good - all those ‘Jet Age’ cowls and vents. And the big ‘feature’ steering wheel. Its rim is very clean and scratch-free. All the instruments work. The mechanical clock is worth a special mention. It’s a rare feature - and one which Avante stripped down and got ticking again. They also installed some subtle in-cabin LEDs, which you will see glinting (and lighting your way) when you open the doors.

Door cards and furniture are firmly mounted (arm rests are a little scuffed), and both they and the seats retain their black colour. There are no cracks in the dash, though there are some scuffs here and there; just enough to show it’s original. Metal seat supports likewise have a few marks, but the cushions and vinyl are really excellent. Talking more of original - it’s nice to see the standard issue ‘Mustang’ radio. Oh; and please notice the New York World’s Fair 1964/65 pennant and daily pass. They are authentic, not a prop, and have been with the car all its life!

Looking underneath the car, you will see surface corrosion on exhausts and suspension parts, but nothing appears bent or in any way damaged, and everything looks well above servicable. It’s also worth noting that, during its time in the UK, Chris has been adamant not to let the Mustang out in bad weather - or on salted roads.

‘It was really solid underneath,’ he affirms. We cleaned it all down and it’s been painted with rust-proof (Hammerite) paint. (There are pictures from its time State-side and from the restoration that attest to the Mustang’s good condition). The undersides of floor pans were cleaned and sprayed satin black Hammerite, and wheel arches protected with underseal. The interior floor pans also had the satin Hammerite treatment.

The engine bay was similarly painted. It remains clean and corrosion free. And very original. Bracing, struts and large bolts all look good under the bonnet, while ancillaries are clean with plenty of life in them. There are one or two very tiny spots of surface rust, but nothing that would worry any owner or mechanic unless entering a prestigious concours. The motor was fettled by a workshop in Stanton in the Peak, with all cylinders individually tuned, and the 289 had been treated to an alternator upgrade while still in the States. Once in the UK, a new carburettor was sourced from a California dealer (the original wouldn’t run right). The motor does run very smoothly, ticks over nicely and pulls smoothly without snatching. Helping that no doubt is the fact that the rear bearing oil seals were replaced during the restoration, along with the transmission’s fluid and gaskets. (The car has driven few miles since).

Chris also notes that the Mustang’s (drum) brakes were upgraded with a power servo. They certainly pull the car up now, though they can be a might snatchy.

Understandably, the more mundane documenting of the Mustang’s month-by-month servicing has not transferred with the car. And, on this side of the Pond, the Ford has done so little motoring as to render any ‘big’ services unnecessary. Most of those jobs were done at the rebuild.

It is of course that refurbishment that comprises most of the Mustang’s history, as well as sundry MoTs and some notices from its social life.

There are plenty of invoices cataloguing parts brought over from the US for the restoration. And both Chris and Avante Car Bodies have picture files from that time. There are also the pictures from the Mustang’s time in its home country. So we can feel very reassured about where the car has been and what condition (good) it was in at any given point in its life. You can also see exactly what went into the rebuilt. All pretty reassuring.

The earliest and the latest versions of any car produced are usually the most sought-after, and you really can’t get much earlier than a car built before the model was actually launched. And remember; the Mustang was a seminal model for Ford and America (remember too James May’s ‘13 cars that changed history’) - so this Mustang really does have a lot going for it. And that’s before you factor in the great V8 spec - always the one to have, that diligent restoration, or the fact that this car just looks so damn good. It really does have it all. So, whereas a run of the mill Mustang might sell for a little less, we would expect this rather more special example to command between £17,000 and £23,000.

We have pointed out a few minor flaws from our inspection, but I think you can see that these are the kind of flaws that only really matter if you are a concours protagonist. This is a really strong, gorgeous example that has that added sparkle of such an early production date. We are smitten, are you?

We always encourage viewings. This Mustang is located near Matlock and the owner warmly invites any interested parties to use the Contact Seller to arrange a viewing.

Ahead of that, or at any time during the process, you’re more than welcome to ask any questions or jot down observations in the comments section below. You won’t be shocked to hear that our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section will answer general questions that are frequently asked about how The Market works.

Also please note that we have a network of trusted suppliers with whom we work regularly and successfully: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

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Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.