1966 Ford Mustang Hardtop   

Born Oct. 15, 1924, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca went to work for the Ford Motor Company as an engineer after finishing college.  Not long afterward, he switched to Ford's marketing and sales side.  Iacocca quickly rose through the ranks and was made Ford president in 1964.  During his tenure, he championed the highly successful Mustang but clashed with Ford chief Henry Ford II, who fired him in 1978 after 32 years with the company.  He took over struggling Chrysler, now part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, a few months later and brought the automaker back from the brink of bankruptcy by going to Washington in 1979 and persuading the federal government to guarantee $1.2 billion in loans to the company.  He closed plants and cut the workforce and wages at all levels, including his own salary to $1 a year.  When the company rebounded, he made $20 million.

For consignment, an example of the Iacocca brainchild in the flesh here in the Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall.  Purchased by the consignor's father in 1986 and repained in 1987, this is a fine example of the Mustang right out of 1966.  Having been treated to a recent brake system overhaul, some snappy pinstriping, and rose etching on the side and rear glass are just a few of the meticulously thought out moves made during this restoration which still shines brightly today.  

Exterior
Medium blue metallic covers the exterior of this car.  The exterior steel panels are straight and rust free and maintain their iconic lines.  The galloping horse leads the way and directly above is a long pony hood, which is actually where the pony car got its name, long hood, short rear deck, and 2 doors equals pony car.  The badging has been removed and the holes filled but the brite-work is all present and accounted for and shows as remaining mostly very shiny.  Dressing up the glass is wonderful rose etching and for some extra bling, some snappy light blue and purple pinstriping has been added to the beltline.  The paint is in good condition with minor dulling and a few faults, which are unremarkable.  The hockey stick cove, triple V tail lighting,and rear roll pan backup lights wrapped by deep shiny bezels are truly classic on this Gen 1 car.  14-inch highly polished Cragar Pro Star wheels are wrapped in black wall rubber on all 4 corners.  This car harkens back to what would have looked like in "day 2" format, when it caught your eye when it rested in your neighbor's driveway and you just had to have it.  Just like the other 607,568 folks that had the same attraction.

Interior
Again looking much like the original with the low back bomber styled buckets, textured tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters in black vinyl are framed with a chrome trimming on the upper edge which doubles as the hinge covering.  The carpeted hump occupies the space between the buckets and holds the chome laden T handle style shift lever.  For the door panels, they are styled nicely in tuck and roll black vinyl and dressed with chrome cranks and actuators.  The dash is all black, complete with the original instrument cluster surrounded by rich wood applique and lower knobs and temperature levers.  More of this applique is applied to the glove box in front of the passenger, adding a warm aura to the all black interior.  Black carpeting is on all floors and looking in good condition.  Looking up, and we see a black textured tight headliner in vinyl with no stains, or tears.  Nicely done.

Drivetrain
The original 289ci V8 is within the simple black painted engine bay.  This blue block and blue valve cover engine has a 2-barrel carburetor with a blue anodized open element air cleaner covering.  On the back of this V8 mill is a C4 3-speed automatic.  The rear axle is a Ford 8-inch fitted with a 2.80 conventional gearset.  We note the addition of a strut tower brace and Monte Carlo bar in the engine bay to keep things in the front end a little tighter through the twisties.

Undercarriage
Plenty of black paint and rustproofing is on all surfaces, and just some spotty surface rust is noted.  Structurally sound and stamped floor pans have a bit of repair in a few areas, but the work was performed sufficiently.  We note the rockers have some surface rust where the outer body meets the floor underneath.  Power steering and independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear, work with drum brakes all around helping with your turns, gallops and whoahs.  These drum brakes have been treated to a new master cylinder and new wheel cylinders at all 4 corners.  A single exhaust system with a Turbo style muffler is on for the exhale and remains in good condition.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, good runner and smooth automatic shifting, this car handled our test track with flying colors, and certainly didn't leave us feeling blue.  All functions were working, and this horse can trot with the best of them.

Overall a turn key car, great color combination, well maintained, and a fun car to drive.  Year 2 of the ubiquitous Mustang, which everyone had to have at one point in their life.. Is it your time now?  600K people couldn't be wrong could they?

6T07C195833

6-1966
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
07-Mustang Hardtop
C-289ci V8 2bbl 200hp
195833-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG

BODY 65A-Mustang 2 Door Hardtop, Standard Buckets
COLOR R-Ivy Green Metallic
TRIM 26-Black Vinyl
DATE 24A-January 24th
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 6-Ford 8" 2.80 Conventional
TRANS 6-C4 Automatic

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.