As a car fanatic, I am often reminded of what rust can do to a piece of metal, especially when parked under the clear sky for years.Unfortunately, this week’s reminder is an original 1965 Mustang. The pony spent a long time outside, and now it looks like its only chance is to serve as a donor. Let’s delve in and see what this 1965 Mustang is all about.
The owner does not provide many specifics on the car’s condition, but the shared photos speak for themselves. The heavy weather has already claimed its toll, leading to fatal rust that compromised almost the entire body. The rust has already gotten through in some spots, so I doubt you can use any panels on another project.
The interior looks dirty but will likely come in a much better shape. The seats and the dashboard seem alright, but potential buyers should inspect them in person, as it’s hard to determine their condition based solely on these low-resolution photos.
The engine under the hood is a bad news combo. The Mustang rolled off the assembly lines with a six-cylinder unit inside, so whoever bought the car wanted the pony’s magic without any interest in performance. The 1965 straight-six was a 200 (3.3-liter) Thriftpower unit rated at 120 horsepower.
Ford replaced the original six-cylinder engine available on the 1964 1/2 Mustang (a 170/2.8-liter unit with 105 horsepower), providing customers with a power boost and improved economy. However, a six-cylinder Mustang isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, especially when seeking a restoration project.
The owner doesn’t provide any information on the engine’s health, but I doubt it works. The engine bay is full of rust, so I expect the six-cylinder to be locked up already – a good mechanic inspecting the vehicle in person should determine its condition fast (as well as its chances of getting back in tip-top shape).
Unfortunately, it’s hard to believe this Mustang can still return to the road, as its shape pushes it closer to a rust bucket rather than a restoration candidate. Every piece of metal is struggling with heavy rust, so except for the interior and a few other parts, this 1965 pony is a wreck. The owner says on Craigslist that everything is still there (including the engine and the automatic transmission), so if you wanted to see the glass half-full, there you go.