Take a Look at This '65 Mustang!

By Tom Elerding, BMW CCA Member

Photography: Frank Cowan

After deciding that I really needed an American Muscle Car to play with, I looked around the country for some time (thanks to the Internet) before finding this 1966 Mustang fastback in my backyard – Santa Barbara. It had just the right combination of good restoration, appropriate additions, and built motor and transmission. The price was right as well.

The car is a standard fastback, originally with a 289 V8 and a 4 speed manual transmission. As I bought it, it has a later model 302 block stroked out to 347 cu. in. Induction is via a Barry Grant 750 cfm Speed Demon carburetor, Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum intake, and Edelbrock aluminum heads. The transmission has been rebuilt, with a higher stall torque converter and large fluid sump.

Paint is a near-perfect 2006 Audi Nimbus Gray over very good body work. All stainless, polished aluminum and chrome is either new or refinished. Interior is all new, with after market seats that grip you like a glove.

The seller was not the restorer, and knew little about the details. I have the name of the next previous owner, but have not been able to contact him yet. I would like to know exactly what was done and by whom. I will keep trying to reach him.

1966 was the last of the “small” Mustangs before they began to get bigger and bigger. I like the lines of the fastback, as they remind me of another car I liked—the 60’s Lamborghini 350 and 400 GTs. I remember riding in the back of a 65 Mustang fastback with my two brothers from LA to Toronto, Canada, back in the day. It was tight in the back, but a lot of fun at the time. I don’t bend quite as readily these days, and would not want to repeat that trip now!