1964 1/2 Ford Mustang

Since it was introduced 4 months before the normal start of the 1965 production year the earliest Mustangs were referred to as the 1964.5 model by enthusiasts. Nevertheless, all 1964.5 cars were given a 1965 standard VIN at the time of production. Production began in March 1964 and serial number 1, (5F08F100001), was sold on April 14th, 1964 at the George Parsons Ford dealership in St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. The official introduction followed on April 17th at the 1964 World's Fair. The gentleman whose name will be forever written in Mustang history was Captain Stanley Tucker. He walked into George Parsons Ford and found an all too eager salesman who sold him the car....3 days before the model officially went on sale. The rest, as they say, is history.

While all first year Mustangs were titled as 1965's the early production cars are referred to as 1964.5 cars. This particular car was titled as a 1964 and is still titled that way. Slight differences are noted between them and the standard production 1965 Mustang and this Mustang has all the correct early run parts on it. A consignor stated 3 owner car that he purchased in July of 1984. Since then, a multitude of repair and restoration work has been done including a repaint, new floors, factory Ford replacement sheet metal, a rebuilt engine and rebuilt suspension. During his 38 years of ownership the car was mostly garage kept and it shows! Add in a bunch of upgrades and this is a car meant to be driven and enjoyed, not trailered from show to show.
Exterior
An older Rangoon Red respray covers the exterior of this car and presents with orange peel, dry spots and texture on some of the surfaces. Most of this could be remedied by a thorough wet sanding and follow up treatment. The restored metal is mostly straight with the front and rear quarter panels being new old stock metal that was installed in 1984. Thin mustache like chrome bumpers and bumperettes present well with a deep reflective shine. The corralled horse within vertical and horizontal chrome spears fills in the honeycomb style grille and looks just fab. All gaps are good, and the freshman year Mustang cove is showing off proudly. Bringing up the tail end are the iconic tai lights and smiling thin chrome bumper below. 15-inch chrome styled steel wheels adorn the corners and are wrapped in BF Goodrich raised white radial rubber. Our consignor also has added all LED lighting, a much needed and appreciated improvement over the stock filament lighting.
Interior
Looking inside we are met with door panels covered in pristine black vinyl tuck and roll with black textured steel door frames and shiny chrome window cranks and door releases. Black standard buckets are up front and a rear bench that are keenly done with no marks or tears and have recently been replaced. A black center console races between the seats and looks just fab with its black textured and ribbed aluminum inlay. A chrome handled black knobbed shifter can be seen growing from the console and is well within the driver's reach. A dual eyebrowed dash pad sits atop the black full metal jacket dash which contains the original instrument cluster, various chrome knobs and sliders, AM radio, and glove box door. A black rimmed 3 spoke wheel is perched atop the fixed steering column with an optional rally pack tachometer and clock add on and gives a nice touch to the basic instrumentation. Fairly new clean black carpet floods the floors and is protected by black rubber mats with pony logos and an ivory vinyl headliner hangs above with minimal wrinkling.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in the well restored engine bay we see a 260ci V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. The rebuilt at 121,000 miles engine is painted a nice black with contrasting light blue valve coverings and an air cleaner assembly. A 3-speed manual transmission, with a new clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing in 2014 is behind and pushes power back to a Ford 8" rear axle with 3.25 gearing. Of note is the 1964.5 specific generator bolted to the engine where later models had an alternator and a Pertronix II ignition system replaces the points.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust can be seen, but this is typical of a “driver car”. Solid floor pans, toe kicks, and rockers can be seen from underneath. We do note that the rear unibody rails have some invasive rust at the tail ends and also repairs have been done to the base of the front shock towers. Independent coil spring front suspension and rear leaf spring suspension are noted, all of which had been replaced at 135,000 miles. Disc brakes have been added to the front while drums remain on the rear and dual exhaust snakes its way back through stock style mufflers . Of note is the recent addition of a complete Borgenson power steering kit

Drivability
A pump of the gas and twist of the key and we were off like a prom dress. Acceleration was adequate from the 260ci V8, handling was good, and braking was bias free thanks to the added front discs. All functions were functioning, and I enjoyed my time behind the wheel of this 1st year pony.

Not every car can be a number matching garage queen that is rarely enjoyed. If you are seeking a concours restored car that you want as a “queen” this is not your car. If you are an early Mustang aficionado and want to drive your classic car, then look here. A clean, nicely preserved car, smooth runner, this could be your pony…Uhhhh Mustang!

VIN DECODE
5F07F155939
5-1965
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
07-2 Door Hardtop
F-260ci V8 2bbl 164hp
155939-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 65A-2 Door Hardtop Standard Buckets
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 86-Black Vinyl
DATE 04F-June 4th 1964
DSO 23-Philadelphia
AXLE 1-Ford 8" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.