1966 Ford Mustang 'K-Code' Coupe (LHD)

Description

One of the major factors contributing to the success of Ford’s Mustang was the extensive list of options and powertrain combinations, allowing the buyer to personalise his or her car to unprecedented levels. The Mustang was the first in a new wave of personal sports compact cars and even coined the term “ponycar” used to distinguish them. From a relatively tame six-cylinder, automatic cruiser suitable for shopping or taking the kids to school, through to a fire breathing V8 more suited to the racetrack, the Mustang was versatile enough to have huge appeal right across the buying spectrum. Few changes were made to the first generation Mustang over the next three years, such was the speed they were being snapped up by eager buyers. For 1965 the range of body styles was extended to include the original notchback coupe, convertible and new fastback 2+2, while minor detail changes were made for the following year. The ultimate powertrain package for 1965-1966 was the so-called K-code version of the classic 289-cid small-block, otherwise known as the Hi-Po motor, with a four-barrel Autolite carburettor, solid valve lifters and 10.5:1 compression ratio helping to raise the power output to a very respectable 271 horses at 6000rpm. This made the Mustang a seriously quick muscle car, capable of 0-100 km/h in around 7.5 seconds and capable turning in sub-16 second quarter-mile times. The K-code was the first real high performance Mustang, equally at home on the track or drag strip and was essentially the same package was found in the earliest Shelby Mustangs, which earned their stripes in serious competition. In 1965, just 7,273 Mustangs had the Hi-Po option and the majority of these were fastbacks, making the hardtop coupe offered here all the more special.