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Everybody Wanted This 1965 Ford Mustang to Remain Stock, Found Sleeping in a Driveway

1965 Ford Mustang 17 photos
Photo: Craigslist
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I won't go over the Mustang legacy again because everybody knows how the pony was born, but for the sake of this story, I'll review the engines that were available for the 1965 model year.
Ford replaced the original 170 six-cylinder unit offered on the 1964 1/2 Mustang with a more potent straight-six unit sporting 200 cubic inches and 120 horsepower.

The 289 two-barrel was the most popular choice. It developed 200 horsepower, and its role was to fill the shoes of the 260 V8 offered on the first Mustang with 165 horsepower.

Ford also offered more powerful options, including a four-barrel configuration and the famous HiPo version rated at over 270 horsepower.

The 1965 Mustang 2+2 in these photos rolled off the assembly lines with a 289 two-barrel unit, albeit it's unclear if the engine under the hood still starts. The owner explains on Craigslist that the V8 runs over, but they are unsure if it will run. It will require some work, as the car has been sitting for a long time in a driveway.

The good news is that it's been sleeping on a concrete floor, so the rust damage is minimal and only affects the metal surface. You should still put the car on a lift and closely inspect the undersides, but if the floors and the trunk pan only suffer from surface damage, cleaning it should be easy.

The owner says they found the car in Tennessee and wanted to begin a restomod project, but because it's mainly complete and original, everybody requested them to keep it stock. They eventually abandoned the restomod project and saved the Mustang from losing its original condition, albeit it's unclear if everything is still in place.

The seller reveals that the Mustang will sell with "lots of extra small parts," so if you plan on beginning a complete restoration, you can use them to jump-start your projects. The car also comes with the factory original keys, and the paperwork from when the car was new, and maintenance and receipts collected by the previous owners throughout the Mustang's life.

The selling price makes sense for a 1965 Mustang that has never been altered. It's a car that can be worth at least twice the selling price if restored correctly, despite the common 289 engine under the hood. However, it can very well be transformed into a fancy daily driver, though I'm not sure many people would be willing to pay $28,000 for it.

The Mustang is parked in Central Illinois, and considering the selling price, I don't expect it to find a new home soon. Given the non-running engine condition, you'll need a trailer to take this Mustang home if you reach a deal.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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