1965 Ford MUSTANG 5.0

Vendor Nigel has owned this Fastback Mustang since importing it from the United States back in July 2018. “I bought it as an award winner and sourced it from Denver, which is in Colorado, one of the country’s dry and rust-free states.”

This, he says, has ensured that it’s “very solid and straight – I’d describe it as an honest car with no hidden issues.” At the same time he also imported a Ford Thunderbird (its importance will become clear a little later!).

“It was my intention to keep both but, with the recent enforced switch to working from home, I now need to extend my garage to incorporate a new office and need the cash towards that.”

There is a second factor at work here: “men like the Mustang and ladies like the Thunderbird, so my wife has suggested that the former go as she loves the T-Bird.”

This car is from the first year of ‘Fastback’ production and still features the original 2+2 badging. It was delivered on the 22nd May 1965 to its original owner in Denver, Colorado.

Nigel has given it a bit of “an overhaul mechanically”, as well as updating some of the suspension components to make it more supple and pliant for our Great British roads (i.e. potholed, bumpy asphalt).

His expenditure has been just over £3000 and it included new front and rear shock absorbers, new bushes, brake pipes and linings, fuel tank, battery, solenoid, windscreen wiper motor, a Firow propshaft, four new BF Goodrich tyres and a full gearbox overhaul by Cheshire-based American car specialist E.G. Wright Motor Engineering.

The odometer currently reads 76,751 miles and the car wears its original exterior and interior colours.

“The body is excellent and the paintwork is good, but it’s too good to be original and I think it’s probably been blown over at some point. If I’m being really honest then someone could go over it and machine-polish it to show condition.”

When one stands back and admires the shape and form it does look very good; up closer there are some areas of flat paint, some cracking to areas such as the door shuts and one or two stone chips.

Panel fit ranges from good (these mass produced cars were never outstanding in period) to a little bit average. The area around the rear nearside taillight looks to have taken a nudge at some point, as there’s evidence of some repairs and the panels (and bumper) remain a touch out of alignment.

It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but we feel that a perfectionist may wish to invest in some rectification works and perhaps even a top-notch paint job.

“The chrome bumpers are excellent and E.G. Wright said they’re the best they’ve seen on a Mustang. The window surrounds are all good and original.” As stated, it wears four new BF Goodrich Radial T/A tyres and the evocative chrome wheels remain scuff free and nice and shiny.

It currently wears half-moon headlight top covers, which suit the car but will need to be whipped off should you want to put the Mustang through an MOT test.

The Red cabin remains in original condition and combines with the exterior colour to ensure that it’s one vivid car. As Nigel says, “it’s not a car for shrinking violets!”

“The interior is excellent. The seats are superb with no rips or tears and the only thing I’d change is the radio, which is a modern digital item – I’d look to source an original item.”

The door-cards too are in fine condition, as are the carpets, and overall it has a thoroughly evocative ambience. There’s not much to an original Mustang in terms of instrumentation, but a trio of aftermarket dials and a steering column-mounted rev counter are fitted to give the driver a better idea of the car’s vital running statistics.

The three-spoke dished steering wheel is glorious, as is the chrome auto’ box shifter. The only thing more so? The thunderous rumble coming emitting from this Pony car’s rear end.

The Mustang had a replacement 302ci V8 installed 20,000 miles ago in the States and it remains in very good health (view our video below, to hear it in action).

It’s mated to the rebuilt C4 automatic transmission and has an Edelbrock inlet manifold and carburettor, plus an MSD electronic ignition and a high-stall torque convertor.

All this adds up to a whole-lotta-fun. “The engine is a miracle – it’s stupidly powerful,” says Nigel. “It hustles along at a fair old rate, but it’s more of a cruising car. That said, it has a deeply resonant V8 exhaust note – the Cherry Bomb exhaust silencers ensure that.”

That, combined with the colour combo, ensure that this ‘Stang is one hell of an event to drive. “Be prepared to be looked at by all and sundry; it’s brutal, noisy and makes you feel so good when you get in it”.

He drove the car down from his base near Stoke-on-Trent to The Market’s Abingdon headquarters and, in circa 150 miles, it “didn’t miss a beat”. We’ve had a chance to take it for a spin or two, and we’re still grinning – it goes bloomin’ well, and the noise is grin inducing.

The engine bay presents strongly with the metal sporting a matt black finish that contrasts nicely with all the 302ci’s chrome rocker-covered bling; best of all, is of course the huge (and very manly) mesh Edelbrock air filter – woof, woof and woof.

The underside confirms Nigel’s opinion that the car has had some paintwork at some point, as there’s a touch of overspray here and there. It looks to be in decent health though and there’s evidence of recent application of some black underseal.

The Mustang’s history file is pretty succinct, but of most interest are the invoices for recent works carried out. These include one from E.G. Wright Motor Engineering, dated 22/10/18, for £2146.23. The majority of this (£1500) was for the gearbox overhaul and the remainder for replacement suspension parts, fuel pipes, strut rod bushes and a steering geometry reset.

Firow Propshafts of Holmes Chapel also refurbished and balanced the propshaft at a cost of £150, and a new Grey 4 Year Exide Battery was sourced from General Traffic (£75) in June 2018.

There’s another from that same year for parts ordered from a US supplier, which included a mechanical fuel pump and Prothane 6 polyurethane Total Bushing Kit Black (£203.64).

As well as the car’s UK V5 document there are a three reminders of its time Stateside, all of which are car show awards: The 1990 Yesterday’s Cars for Rock & Roll Stars ‘Best in Show’; a second place at the 2002 Tri-County Mustang Club’s Ponies by the Sea; and a Class Award at the 13th Annual Yellow Rose Classic, also in 2002.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

A Ford Mustang Fastback is a gloriously iconic car and there’s no doubt that any discerning car collector should have one. Even if you’re a single car kind of guy or gal then there’s no doubt that popping this in your garage will have you looking for any excuses to take it for a spin and burn hydrocarbons at will.

This is a solid example that’s had a thorough going through by a renowned American car specialist, so be in no doubt that it’s in very fine mechanical fettle indeed.

It’s also from the first full year of manufacture (denoted by the six pillar “silent flow” vents in the rear roof pillars and 2+2 badging), which makes it - Shelby variants, aside - one of the most desirable of the breed.

Yes, there’s room for visual improvement but it’s certainly one you can buy and get straight out on to the road. Vendor Nigel has also done much to improve its ride manners for the bumpier UK roads, so the next owner will benefit from that. Our estimate to secure it is £26,000 to £30,000.

“It’s just one of those fantastically iconic cars,” he says. “My 19 year-old son is almost in tears that I’m selling it, but it has to go. I’ll miss the sound though. It’s something else – the Brian Blessed of Mustangs.”

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.