1965 Mustang History
I purchased the car in southern California on 6-20-2006 from Ginger Corte of Arleta, California. The car was her daily driver. When I purchased it, the car needed paint, interior and chrome trim but it ran great as the engine had been rebuilt about 10,000 miles prior to me purchasing it. The body was an excellent example of a California car with zero rust, ”like new” door hems, wheel openings, and quarter pinch welds. The floor and trunk were also perfect. Some specifics about the car are.
Original “C” code 289 V8. The engine and carburetor still have the identification tags on them. I took photos of the heads with the valve covers removed to illustrate that they too are the original and that they are spotless under the valve covers.
options include:
Automatic transmission
Power steering
Rare factory disc brakes
Original air-conditioning that blows cold and has been converted to R134
Pony interior
Center console
Factory correct wood type steering wheel
Original radio works that perfectly and has a new speaker
Original jack and tire iron
Factory wire wheel covers
White wall tires
Restoration Information
This was a high-end restoration project with no money spared.
After inspection, I am of the opinion that all body panels are original. We stripped the paint and found no previous body repairs.
All chrome was stripped, doors, deck lid, hood, windshield and rear window were removed prior to paint. The entire interior was removed.
Car was primed, blocked, primed and blocked again making sure the body was laser straight. As you know, it better be straight to be painted black.
While it isn’t necessary to do base coat-clear coat on black, I chose to because it gives added depth of paint. It costs more but it’s worth it.
The paint was color sanded, then buffed to a high luster.
After paint, the body panels were re-installed.
Every piece of exterior trim was replaced with new parts with the exception of the vent window surround.
New parts:
front and rear bumper and bumper guards
complete grille including center pony, side spears, and trim surround
hood emblems
parking lamps and bezels with new bulbs
fender 289 emblem
fender mustang emblems
antenna
left and right side outside mirrors
roof rail molding
quarter panel scoop molding
windshield and rear window reveal moldings
tail lamp bezels and lenses with new bulbs
back-up lamps and bezels with new bulbs
deck lid lock bezel
fuel door
GT type stripe
door, deck lid and roof rail weather-strips
door and hood bumpers were installed.
windshield and rear window seals
windshield wipers and wiper arms (new) were polished and installed.
vinyl top
Prior to interior trim being installed, window channels were lubricated.
A complete new Pony interior was installed including new inside door handles and window crank handles.
New inside and outside window fuzzes were installed. New sill plates were installed.
The dash was completely taken apart to restore. New defroster hoses were installed. A new glove box insert was installed. A new I/P bezel was installed. Prior to re-installing the speedometer, new bulbs were installed throughout. A new dash pad was installed.
A new turn signal harness with turn signal switch was installed because the right side turn signal did not return when the wheel was brought back to the straight-ahead position.
All interior gauges, lamps, speedometer and horn work.
The trunk has the correct trunk mat and tire cover. It has the correct jack storage bag, jack and lug wrench.
The under hood is show quality. The engine is painted the correct black with gold color. All correct decals were installed. I’ve installed a new show quality solenoid and positive and negative battery cables. It also has the correct yellow top coil. The car has a new battery. The engine has just been totally tuned up including plugs, points, condenser, rotor, cap and concourse quality spark plug wires. It also has the correct Ford upper and lower radiator hoses and correct clamps. Fresh anti-freeze has been installed. The engine and transmission run perfectly.
I have not restored the suspension simply because the prior owner kept it in excellent condition. The car has been totally inspected and needs no repairs. The only thing still needed is one of the wheel spinners as the one on the car is broken. It will be replaced prior to sale.
In summary, this was a time and money consuming restoration but the results speak for itself. The cost for paint and paint labor alone was $5,500 with a total cost of the vehicle including paint and parts of about $18,000. This number does not include the many hours of labor to assembly the vehicle after paint. The car is for sale with a price of $23,500 U.S. funds. If you are interested in purchasing the car, please feel to email me or phone me at 248-544-2375, Eastern Time. I am located in Michigan.
Best Regards
Joe Babiasz