1966 Ford Mustang Coupe 289 V8 3 Speed Manual Classic Vintage Collector

This 1966 Ford Mustang is an impressive first generation representative of the model and it features a reassuring road readiness to go along with all of its classic visual magnetism. Decades of faithful service would certainly have provided plenty of opportunities for this automotive icon to get off kilter and develop its share of issues, but it greets the present in reassuringly solid condition. The Emberglo metallic paint it wears is a great choice - it's... an original selection lifted off the Mustang pallet from '66 and its coppery hue gives the car a nice, classic appearance while looking strong from end to end. The assembly of chrome on display here is also in good form - both the front and rear bumpers sit level and show no major blemishes or pitting, the trim surrounding the side windows as well as the front and rear windshields presents well, and the badging and emblems on all four sides look very sharp. The body alignment is also solid - Mustangs of this era have prominent body contours running nearly the entire length of their sides that often foretell when something is amiss among the body panels. There's an upgraded "Pony-style" interior sitting inside the doors to provide a very fitting vintage driving environment, featuring two-tone Emberglo and parchment surfaces that ably represent the styling sensibilities of the mid-'60s. While first generation Mustangs are modestly proportioned cars, especially before their slight enlargement in 1967, Ford did a nice job of including a respectable amount of interior space - the Mustang concept all along was to combine the feel of a sports car with bona fide 4-seater functionality and they hit the mark here, so even backseat passengers can ride in relative comfort. A Rally Pac - another upgraded Mustang style feature - sits securely on the steering column, while just beyond it, the factory components on the dash are in good form, including the complement of easily readable gauges in their contrasting black instrument cluster. A Pioneer AM/FM/Cassette stereo resides in the center of the dash to provide an era-appropriate audio experience. The trunk area in back features Ford's signature plaid fabric lining its floor and the two exposed wheelhouses look solid and well-aligned. A 289 cubic inch V8 sits between the shock towers of a very tidy engine compartment in place of the 6 cylinder this Mustang started out with. Besides offering substantially more power than its smaller predecessor, the 289 is a durable workhorse of an engine in its own right - it's no coincidence that there are so many still out on the road today. It looks great in this setting, wearing its proper Ford blue paint on its block and carrying a badged chrome air cleaner on top. The small block produces a great exhaust note - surprisingly deep and resonant - and sounds as if a mild cam might have been added to the mix as it pairs with a 3-speed manual transmission to make up a highly functioning, era correct drivetrain. A look below reveals a solid looking undercarriage - it shows some patina due to this Mustang's more than half century of life, but there are no serious issues in sight. This pivotal classic rolls on a set of 14" stock Mustang wheels with hubcaps bearing the iconic "running pony" logo and are wrapped with Hankook Optimo tires. This 1966 Ford Mustang ably captures the charm that made the model one of the most popular ever to roll off an assembly line, and it greets the present in a very strong running condition. Call today!