First-gen Mustangs make excellent restoration projects, especially when they have solid bones and a running engine. A 1966 fastback listed on eBay a few hours ago may turn off many buyers with an initial outward inspection, but a closer look reveals more than a handful of good selling factors.
The C-code Mustang rolled off the assembly lines with a V8 engine no longer in the car. In charge of putting the wheels in motion is now a 302 V8 coming from a later Mustang. The seller does not provide any specifics on why the owner ditched the 289, but the car most likely served as a donor for another project.
If this is the case, expect other original parts to be missing too – it’s worth knowing that the seller claims the car is still complete, so have this inspected before committing to a purchase.
The 289 was the top engine option for the 1966 model year. The standard unit was a 2-barrel V8 with 200 horsepower, but the HiPo version pushed the rating to 271 horsepower. The 302 was introduced for the 1968 model year on F-code Mustangs, producing 210 horsepower in a 2-barrel configuration and 230 horsepower when fitted with a 4-barrel carburetor.
Barn-finder hbmustangs, who has previously come up with some very intriguing Ford Mustang projects, says the undersides look better than average, so the car requires the typical work on this front. The rust has already invaded the floors, and one of the photos reveals holes on the driver’s and passenger’s sides.
The interior comes in a rough shape, too. The seats are ripped, and the door panels are missing (again, likely because they were donated to another project). The seller claims all the fastback parts are still in place, so you’ll have to check out the car in person to see what you need for a complete restoration.
Bringing the Mustang back to the road will be insane, but restoring it to factory specifications will require additional work that few people will probably be interested in. The lack of the original engine and the amount of rust make the pony a challenging project, so going for a restomod by using the existing 302 is probably the right way to go.
You can see it in person in Aragon, Georgia, and you’ll need a trailer to take it home. We’re not getting too many specifics about the 302 V8 under the hood, but it’s safe to assume it doesn’t start and run – it’s not like the rest of the car looks road-worthy anyway.