Average Joe Restoration

Consignment # 39-1008
VIN:   6R07T214011

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The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964, and was introduced to the public at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964, then via all three American television networks on April 19 and in a final big splash, made an appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September of 1964. The multi-faceted marketing thrust combined with popular appeal for such a car resulted one of the most successful product launches in automotive history. As a result, the Mustang sold over one million units in its first 18 months on the market. By its creation, it created a new "pony car" class of cars by adapting the "long hood, short deck" look of sports cars to compact sedans.

First conceived by Ford product manager Donald N. Frey and championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca, the Mustang prototype was a two–seat, mid–engine roadster. This would later be remodeled as a four–seat car penned by David Ashe and John Oros in Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division design studios, which produced the winning design in an intramural design contest called by Iacocca. To cut down the development cost and achieve a suggested retail price of $2,368, the Mustang was based heavily on familiar, yet simple components. Much of the chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components were derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane. The car had a unitized platform–type frame, which was taken from the 1964 Falcon, and welded box–section side rails, including welded crossmembers. Although hardtop Mustangs were the majority of the sales, durability problems with the new frame led to the unusual step of engineering the (necessarily less rigid) convertible first, which featured the industry’s first "torque box" structural system. Overall length of the Mustang and Falcon was identical, although the Mustang’s wheelbase was slightly shorter.

The Mustang featured a lower seating position and overall height. Shipping weight, about 2,570 pounds with the Falcon’s 170 cubic inch inline–six–cylinder engine putting out 101 horsepower with the three–speed manual transmission, was also similar. The GT model could be equipped with the optional $443 "Hi–Performance" (HP) 289ci V8 rated at 271hp and weighed about 3,000 pounds with its "mandatory optional" four–speed. Despite its runaway success, some automotive experts could muster only qualified enthusiasm for the Mustang as most of the mechanical parts were taken directly from the Falcon, but the new car ushered in an era of automotive personalization that was key to its success and the numerous options contributed to the gross profits for Ford Motor Company. Not surprisingly, the Mustang grew larger and heavier with each passing year, culminating with the 1971 to 1973 models that were far different compared to the original 1964 model. Ford was deluged with mail from fans of the original car who demanded that the Mustang be returned to its original size and concept.

The 1966 Mustang offered here is an award-winning, rotisserie-restored showpiece. Equipped with the 289ci V8 engine, Dual Exhaust, Automatic Transmission, and Air Conditioning, it is among the nicest examples optioned this way from new in existence. "Sally", as the previous owner lovingly referred to this original pony car, was restored from 1997- 1999 at a cost of over $57,000.00 (the documentation of which is included with the sale). As only a few can claim, she started out as a rust-free Nevada car that then received a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. At the completion of work, Sally was appraised at a mind-boggling $37,000. Since being restored the car has been in climate-controlled storage and taken out to go to car shows, mostly in a trailer and she has only 267 miles since being completed. As such, she looks better than a new 1966 automobile. If you have a love for Mustangs this may very possibly be one of the very best hardtop coupes in existence.

Not only was this car a Gold winner at the 2004 Mustang Grand National, she continues to regularly take Best in Class at all other local shows. Finished in the stunning original factory colors of red with a red interior and white vinyl top, this car is in excellent condition and is ready to be shown or driven and used as is.