Early Mustangs make fantastic starter collectables. One, everyone loves them. Two, they look awesome. Three, they're a ton of fun to drive. Four, parts are plentiful and inexpensive. And five, cars like this 1965 Mustang coupe with its C-code 289 deliver the biggest bang for the buck available anywhere.Yes, there are still good deals on good Mustangs out there, and since the days of usable $1000 Mustangs are long gone, we have found that cars like this represent a great entry into the hobby. This car is complete, clean, and very presentable, with a shiny red paint job and that classic Mustang look. It was repainted years ago (the original color was code D Dynasty Green) but the basics are quite good and you could have this car delivered to your house and be out cruising that evening. The shiny paint would really pop with a professional cut-and-buff, and that would add a ton of value to the car, but even as it sits it has a nice look. It's the little stuff that really stands out: panel alignment and gaps are pretty good for a Mustang, there are no goofy stripes or decals stuck to it, and it definitely has that classic Mustang look that everyone admires. Other things like the chrome bumpers, grille insert, and taillights are in good original condition, belying the car's price point. Even if you did nothing but drive it, this car would earn a lot of appreciative glances on the street.Unlike many affordable cars, this one has an interior that's quite correct and very usable as-is. Pretty Parchment upholstery looks bright and airy in the 1965 coupe, and with recent door panels and carpets, plus seat covers that are just a few years old, you don't need to do anything to start enjoying it right away. The steering wheel looks great in the vintage Mustang passenger compartment, particularly with a black wrapper around it, and the "black camera case" dash appliques match pretty well. Non-GT Mustangs in 1965 still used the wide speedometer with auxiliary pods out at the ends, and the gauges all appear to be working today. An ancient AM/FM stereo with speakers on doors makes it fun to drive even when you're not running hard. There's an under-dash A/C unit, but no hardware under the hood, so figure that's a project you could tackle to really add some value down the line. And unlike many cars in this price range, there's a finished trunk with a correct mat and a spare tire, just in case.The C-code 289 cubic inch V8 under the hood is a strong runner with great torque that makes this Mustang a lot of fun on the street. It's apparently completely stock, right down to the 2-barrel carburetor under the air cleaner, and it runs far better than you'd expect by the looks of things. Yes, it's original and grungy, but that's also why this car is affordable. It hasn't been hacked up or modified, and aside from the grunge, the engine bay is pretty clean, suggesting a car that's lived in a warm climate. This car is definitely not a rust bucket that needs to be resurrected from the dead, but rather a tidy car top and bottom that can be enjoyed immediately. There's a simple single exhaust underneath, the floors are quite clean, and it sits on standard 14-inch wheels with traditional Mustang hubcaps and 15-inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels never fail to brighten a vintage muscle car and 205/75/14 whitewall radials.Affordable doesn't have to mean "project car" and this handsome coupe offers a lot of performance and classic good looks for not a lot of cash. Call today!
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