Car: Ford Mustang 2-Door Coupe
Year: 1965
What makes it special: Initially introduced on April 17, 1964, as a hardtop and convertible with the fastback version put on sale in August 1964, the first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured from March 1964 until 1973. At the time of its introduction, the Mustang, sharing its underpinnings with the Falcon, was slotted into a compact car segment. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobile known as the pony car. The Mustang’s styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition.
What made it famous: Several changes to the Mustang occurred at the start of the “normal” 1965 model year in August 1964, about four months after its introduction. These cars are known as “Late 65’s”. The engine lineup was changed, with a 200 cu in “T-code” engine that produced 120 hp. Production of the Fairlane’s “F-code” 260 cu in engine ceased when the 1964 model year ended. It was replaced with a new 200 hp “C-code” 289 cu in engine with a 2-barrel carburetor as the base V8. An “A-code” 225 hp 4-barrel carbureted version was next in line, followed by the unchanged 289 HiPo “K-code” equipped with a 4-barrel Autolite 4100 carburetor rated at 271 hp at 6000 rpm and 312 lb⋅ft at 3400 rpm. A 4-barrel carbureted engine was now available with any body style. The Mustang was originally available as either a hardtop or convertible, but during the car’s early design phases a fastback model was considered. The standard interior features of the 1965 Mustang included adjustable driver and passenger bucket seats, an AM radio, and a floor mounted shifter in a variety of color options. Ford added additional interior options during the 1965 model year.
Why I would want one: Had one. Fun cars, I’d do it again.
Fun fact: The design teams had been given five goals for the design of the Mustang: It would seat four, have bucket seats and a floor mounted shifter, weigh no more than 2,500 pounds and be no more than 180 inches in length, sell for less than $2,500, and have multiple power, comfort, and luxury options.
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