1966 Ford Mustang Coupe

Being a 1966 model year Ford Mustang Coupe (aka hardtop or notchback), this car was likely built and maybe even first registered in 1965 - such is the way of the American motor industry, always at least six months ahead of themselves back then.

Sadly the car is missing its door tag, so we don’t know the exact build date, colour or factory spec - but from the chassis number we can tell that it rumbled out of Ford’s San Jose assembly plant in California powered by a 200cu (3277cc) “Thriftpower” straight-six engine (120bhp).

This has since been transplanted with a 302cu (4949cc) Windsor V8 (230bhp) from a 1968 Ford Galaxie (engine code C8AE) which has nearly double the power of the original motor. The transmission is a 3-speed automatic ‘box.

The car was imported to the UK and first registered with the DVLA in August 2005, since when it has had four owners. The third owner, from Lancashire, set about rebuilding and restoring the car between 2016 and 2019. Between him and the last owner, a little over £25k has been spent on the car in recent years.

Although the latest owner did use the car too, it sat largely idle for the last six months and with a house purchase pending, the hobby had to go.

There can be no other colour (or should that be color?) that shouts “US of A” quite like Candy Apple Red, which is what we believe this Mustang is finished in. And how sweet and tasty does it look? Although not an especially curvy car, the fluid red accentuates the sculpted sides and gently rounded shoulders.

The paint appears very strong, with just a handful of chips, nicks and scratches here and there - most notably on the right rear corner - and the body panels look straight and well aligned. The chrome trims and emblems also look very good, many being recently renewed, and contrast nicely against the lustre of the red bodywork.

In the door shuts, the body restoration and respray doesn’t look quite so good, and there are signs of filler in the corners.

The car sits on black 14-inch Center Line 10-hole wheels with chrome rims, all of which are fitted with deep side walled Hercules H/P 4000 tyres showing a good tread depth.

The interior of the car is upholstered almost entirely in black vinyl, featuring a period-correct “rosette” patterned texture on the seat facings. It all looks to be in good condition with no undue damage or wear that we could find, although what might be the original door cards exhibit something of a patina. The front seat backs cleverly fold forward and inwards to allow better access to the rear bench seat.

Up front, the dash is all black too and with the very analogue chrome-look controls and instruments it looks very retro indeed. Slotting neatly into the centre of the dash is a chrome-faced push-button radio which is actually a classic-look modern unit which also features iPod and Bluetooth capability.

The metal three-spoke, walnut-rimmed, deep-dish steering wheel looks right for the car and is possibly original. Also original-looking is the T-handle gear shifter, thankfully not replaced with anything as tacky as a six-shooter pistol grip.

The carpets appear clean and intact and are protected by Mustang-logoed rubber over mats front and rear. Above, the graphite grey headlining appears clean and taut.

Under the hood (we know our Americanisms), the engine bay is nicely presented with many custom parts including chromed bracing between the metal-plated fenders and a strut-brace. The rocker covers and air-cleaner housing are also chromed and the latter is suitably badged too. The ignition leads have been replaced with Ford blue items and other cables and lines are protected with braided sleeves. The top mounts of the new Scott Drake front shocks can also be seen.

Underneath the car, everything is pretty clean with few signs of corrosion or damage. The main frame rails look a bit used, possibly from jacking, and the Ford-blue sump has a bit of a dent, but the twin exhaust system appears undamaged. At the rear, you can see new Scott Drake leaf springs & shocks.

Pop the trunk (we got this!) and you’ll not see lush carpets, or even bare metal but a Burberry-plaid vinyl mat covering the Dynamat sound-deadening and vibration-softening material, which itself all but covers the metalwork underneath. A previous owner has really gone to town with this stuff, it’s all over the underside of the boot lid too.

The Mustang’s latest MOT expired in March last year and although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it retested at the earliest opportunity.

The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

Two sets of keys and a 1966 Mustang Owner’s Manual come with the car, and the history file includes a few expired MOT reports and numerous invoices from 2016-2019 for parts from Mustang Maniac and CJ Pony Parts totalling over £25k for the rebuild/restoration that occurred during that period.

Key new and replacement items include:

- RetroSound Long Beach Radio (chromed)

- Pioneer speakers and fitment panels

- Performance shocks all round

- Rear leaf springs and mounts

- Radiator

- All door and window rubber seals

- Fuel tank filler and cap

- Seatbelts

- Trunk linings

The Mustang starts with just a couple of pumps on the throttle pedal but seems to struggle a little on idle and is faltering out on the road. We think it may have a carburettor/fuelling issue that needs tinkering with. When on full song though it sounds amazing.

We would also recommend getting the brakes checked as a matter of urgency. It feels like only the front left one is working, and this is a lot of metal to be stopped with just one corner.

Name-checked by everyone from David Bowie to Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John to Mr. Big, few cars are as iconic as a classic Ford Mustang and there’s no doubt that any discerning car collector should have one. This one’s sweet-tasting paint job is made all the more appealing by the retro-simplicity of the black vinyl interior.

There are only one or two things that need doing to this classic Mustang, but at our guide of between £19,000 and £28,000 you’ll still have plenty of headroom to add even more value.

Spring is nearly upon us and, once it’s running right and stopping safely, you’ll not need much of an excuse to get out and “cruise the strip” or maybe just “pop to the shops”!

Inspection is encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.