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2014 Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction
Lot
14

1965 Ford Mustang Coupe (RHD)

$23,500

Sold

Specifications

Engine V-8, 289-cid
Gearbox 3-speed automatic
Body Work Coupe
Colour Blue & White
Interior Black
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Styled Steel
Brakes Discs/Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

An instant hit when launched midway through the 1964 season, Ford's Mustang was the first personal sports coupe and gave birth to the market segment known as ?Pony Cars?, with rivals like Chevrolet's Camaro and Dodge's Challenger quickly arriving on the scene. Americans were clamouring for a domestic sporty two-door that came with plenty of style but one that was also affordable and could be driven on a daily basis. Taking inspiration from the Mustang I concept vehicle, Lee Iacocca and his team designed the perfect car for the job. Through clever use of existing Falcon underpinnings the price was kept to affordable levels, while the incredible array of options, from drivetrain to trim levels, made the Mustang appealing to a wide spectrum of customers, including both men and women - a critical part of the original design brief. Ford hit on a winning formula with the first generation Mustang and the orders began flooding in, making this one of the most successful model launches in American automotive history. Naturally few changes were made for the 1965 model year, but the engine line-up was expanded, a new body style (the fastback) added and the electrical system improved thanks to an alternator in place of the original generator. Starting with the base 170-cid six-cylinder with automatic shifter, perfect as a boulevard cruiser, one could tick an enormous list of options to ultimately create a fire-breathing 271 horsepower High Performance 289-cid V8 with disc brakes and handling package that was capable of performing well on the race track. The Mustang has maintained its place as the pre-eminent muscle car amongst enthusiasts today and there are compelling reasons for buying one now - parts are in plentiful supply, the cars are easy to work on and respond well to tuning and above all, the Mustang is still a great driving experience.