1965 Mustang Fastback
Discussion
My 1965 Fastback in Poppy Red.
I’ve always hankered after a classic but for someone who is mechanically inept it’s taken me a while to bite the bullet.
I sold my Boxster S via Pistonheads in July and the search began for a tidy 65/66 Fastback while trying to understand what terms like A Code and Pony Interior meant. My search started at Classic American Cars in Essex where I went with the intention of looking at a red GT350 Clone but that was having new floors fitted so Peter encouraged me to look at this car.
It’s was manufactured on the 24th Feb 1965 in San Jose California and first registered in LA. It’s a 4 barrel 289 with a 3 speed auto box with disc brake conversion. I drove a drum brake car and the difference in stopping power is night and day. I had a good look around the car and can’t see any rust or filler and the only issues were a slight oil weep from the pressure sender and some white smoke under load, the latter transpired to be oil burning on the exhaust and this was resolved prior to purchase.
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Last Wednesday I went back to see Peter and test drove the car for the second time and was happy that it was as good as it could be for a 55 year old car and arranged for Jason from JRM Recovery to come and collect it and trailer it home. I can’t recommend Jason highly enough if anyone is looking to transport cars around.
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
He’s got quite an impressive setup
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
A couple of hours later the car was home and thankfully the sun was out so took a few photos on my lawn.
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Since then I’ve had a couple of opportunities to drive the car, the first resulted in it not idling properly so with the help of a flat head screw driver and a quarter turn of a screw head that’s now fixed.
I’ve never experienced so many thumbs up or people wanting to come and talk to me about the car. I can’t ever be in a rush at a petrol station as my first visit resulted in a twenty minute chat with someone and then a five minute conversation with the cashier.
So far classic ownership has been great, there’s a few rattles which I’ll try and source and rectify. The pads rattle as I suspect they’re missing their anti-rattle clips and it’s not overly happy about starting when hot. I’ve got the car booked into a local specialist who races Cobras and Mustangs to give the car a once over.
A Carcoon Veloce is about to be ordered and with any luck this will become a permanent fixture in the garage. I’m usually quite lazy about updating my threads but will try and be more proactive with this car and my first foray in classic car ownership.
I nearly forgot, it’s got an Arvinode exhaust and sounds like this…
I’ve always hankered after a classic but for someone who is mechanically inept it’s taken me a while to bite the bullet.
I sold my Boxster S via Pistonheads in July and the search began for a tidy 65/66 Fastback while trying to understand what terms like A Code and Pony Interior meant. My search started at Classic American Cars in Essex where I went with the intention of looking at a red GT350 Clone but that was having new floors fitted so Peter encouraged me to look at this car.
It’s was manufactured on the 24th Feb 1965 in San Jose California and first registered in LA. It’s a 4 barrel 289 with a 3 speed auto box with disc brake conversion. I drove a drum brake car and the difference in stopping power is night and day. I had a good look around the car and can’t see any rust or filler and the only issues were a slight oil weep from the pressure sender and some white smoke under load, the latter transpired to be oil burning on the exhaust and this was resolved prior to purchase.
Untitled by Alex L, on FlickrLast Wednesday I went back to see Peter and test drove the car for the second time and was happy that it was as good as it could be for a 55 year old car and arranged for Jason from JRM Recovery to come and collect it and trailer it home. I can’t recommend Jason highly enough if anyone is looking to transport cars around.
Untitled by Alex L, on FlickrHe’s got quite an impressive setup
Untitled by Alex L, on FlickrA couple of hours later the car was home and thankfully the sun was out so took a few photos on my lawn.
Untitled by Alex L, on FlickrUntitled by Alex L, on FlickrUntitled by Alex L, on FlickrUntitled by Alex L, on FlickrSince then I’ve had a couple of opportunities to drive the car, the first resulted in it not idling properly so with the help of a flat head screw driver and a quarter turn of a screw head that’s now fixed.
I’ve never experienced so many thumbs up or people wanting to come and talk to me about the car. I can’t ever be in a rush at a petrol station as my first visit resulted in a twenty minute chat with someone and then a five minute conversation with the cashier.
So far classic ownership has been great, there’s a few rattles which I’ll try and source and rectify. The pads rattle as I suspect they’re missing their anti-rattle clips and it’s not overly happy about starting when hot. I’ve got the car booked into a local specialist who races Cobras and Mustangs to give the car a once over.
A Carcoon Veloce is about to be ordered and with any luck this will become a permanent fixture in the garage. I’m usually quite lazy about updating my threads but will try and be more proactive with this car and my first foray in classic car ownership.
I nearly forgot, it’s got an Arvinode exhaust and sounds like this…
Meeten-5dulx said:
I'd love a classic, but also being inept at DIT this has kept me well away.#
I wish you all the best with this lovely car!!
Thanks, I always thought classics were for older people and maybe now I’m in my late 30s I’m classed as that too.I wish you all the best with this lovely car!!
My parents have kindly purchased me a Haynes Manual but I’m hoping the car will prove me wrong and be as reliable as my Porsche...
Get one before it’s too late, prices are only going one way for good examples.
MetalMatters said:
That is lovely, truly lovely and looks in great shape.
I’ve got a 2017 with a Roush axle back and I much prefer the sound of yours, it sounds dirty for want of a better word.
Enjoy
Thanks and the best thing it sounds like this no matter what speed you’re going. I’ve been enjoying cruising around at well within the speed limit with the rumble behind me.I’ve got a 2017 with a Roush axle back and I much prefer the sound of yours, it sounds dirty for want of a better word.
Enjoy
Iwantafusca said:
Lovely looking car , great lawn too lol !
Is that how they are from factory underneath? Looks spotless.
I believe they’re the original floors as I can’t see any new welds. The car was re-painted in 2008 but still looks fresh.Is that how they are from factory underneath? Looks spotless.
Thanks, the lawn has got a bit greener this week with all the rain
So far I've established the only accurate gauge is the speedo, which is handy. A full fuel tank the gauge indicates half, no idea what the oil pressure is and I'd like to think the battery is ok as it sits on trickle charge.
Reckon I've done about 25 miles in the car so far and used about £18 of petrol, somehow (most likely trial and error) I'm going to have to find out the range on a full tank rather than filling it up every time I use it for fear of running dry.
I've just ordered a Carcoon Veloce so I can put it into semi hibernation in winter, although it'll still venture out if the roads are dry.
Driving left hand drive takes some getting used to and I find myself a little close to the centre line. The milometer has just tipped over 10k which probably means it's done 110k...
Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr
Reckon I've done about 25 miles in the car so far and used about £18 of petrol, somehow (most likely trial and error) I'm going to have to find out the range on a full tank rather than filling it up every time I use it for fear of running dry.
I've just ordered a Carcoon Veloce so I can put it into semi hibernation in winter, although it'll still venture out if the roads are dry.
Driving left hand drive takes some getting used to and I find myself a little close to the centre line. The milometer has just tipped over 10k which probably means it's done 110k...
Untitled by Alex L, on FlickrWow, that looks absolutely fabulous. You will have to get used to the positive attention a classic mustang gets. I have to laugh when owners of modern Mustangs go on about the attention they get. I have a 67 fastback and a 2011 Shelby, and the 67 gets far more.
Congrats on the car, and dont worry about the fuel consumption!
Congrats on the car, and dont worry about the fuel consumption!
SBF said:
Looks in great condition underneath. I have not long had my '68 Coupe and am looking into exhaust options, do you still have factory manifolds?
I believe so yes, although I've nothing to compare it to. Happy to take some photos but I don't have ramps so would only be what I can see from lying under the car or through the engine bay.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff