Early Mustangs have become a true dream for many collectors, but finding one in tip-top shape isn’t as easy as it sounds.And if you do come across such a rare model, its price is often ridiculous. Most people, therefore, turn to plan B, which most often comes down to finding a project car, typically available at a much lower price, and then restoring it to factory specifications.
The early 1964 1/2 Mustang I recently spotted on eBay is a project whose only option is a full restoration, likely as the car has been sitting under the clear sky for many years. It’s not hard to figure out from the photos shared by seller mbvcars that this Mustang is in a rough shape. It’s unclear if everything is there, but as far as the interior is concerned, all the big parts are in place. Obviously, this doesn’t also mean they’re in proper shape for restoration.
In terms of rust, we have the typical suspects. The undercarriage and the body are very rusty and will require massive fixes, though I expect the floors to be completely wrecked. New panels should do it, and given the early Mustangs are very similar to the 1965 model year, finding them shouldn’t be too hard.
The engine under the hood no longer runs, but obviously, this isn’t necessarily a surprise. This Mustang was born with the base V8 for this model year – a 260 (4.3-liter) rated at 165 horsepower. This engine was replaced by the two-barrel version of the 289 (4.7-liter) a year later when Ford rolled out the 1965 Mustang.
The seller explains on eBay that the engine was actually running many years ago before the car was abandoned, though it needed an external fuel source, possibly as the gas tank is dead already. They didn’t reveal if it at least turns over, but I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if it doesn’t. A locked-up engine isn’t uncommon, especially on classic cars sitting outside for years.
A Mustang in such a rough shape can’t be cheap, and obviously, this one right here aligns with this expectation. The bidding starts at just $1,000, and given a reserve is not enabled, a single bid is enough to take the car home. In other words, if you agree to pay at least $1,000 to save this Mustang, it’s all yours right now, assuming you can take care of towing overnight. At this point, the vehicle is parked in Beaverdam, Virginia, and it obviously won’t move too soon unless it finds a new owner as part of this online auction.