Average Joe Restoration

Consignment # 39-1117
VIN:   6F08A235218

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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 over the standard model with just 225hp and weighed in at 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.

Offered here is a fabulous numbers-matching example of an original GT Convertible. By 1966, Ford’s successful car resulted in 607,568 units sold, of which just 72,119 were convertibles and far fewer as GTs. Finished in its original Wimbledon White with a white top and dark red interior, it went into storage during the mid-1970s with only 69,000 original miles and only emerged recently to be the subject of a careful restoration. Receiving a comprehensive repaint with all-new seats, carpet, top and engine bay detailing, the engine, 4-speed manual transmission, 3.00:1 rear axle and suspension did not escape the restorer’s attention. Upon completion of the work, the car has led a pampered existence, only being driven approximately 2,000 miles to shows and the occasional weekend getaway, ensuring that it will remain a joy to drive for years to come.