The Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964. It created an overnight sensation and quickly became the most successful model launch in automotive history. The timeless appeal of the car still reverberates today, in its 50th anniversary year. The Mustang offered a winning combination of sporty performance, personal luxury, and fresh styling, which spawned a new “pony car” market segment. Part of Mustang’s appeal, in addition to its trim size and sparkling performance, was a broad options list. A buyer could specify anything from a relatively tame six-cylinder coupe to a fully equipped convertible with one of three high-performance V-8 engines.

The A-Code of this Mustang indicates that it was built late in 1965 and was equipped with the improved, 225-horsepower-rated Challenger Special, 289-cubic inch V-8, a four-barrel carburetor, and a dual exhaust. However, there are other interesting things to discover when investigating the build tags, such as the DSO Code 22. The DSO, or Dealer Special Order, Code 22 indicates that it was one of a small group of cars that was special ordered by the Ford sales office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Likely, it was one of a group of identically prepared Tropical Turquoise Convertibles that targeted regional southern sensibilities. Whatever its genesis, this stunning color was available only in 1965, and happily, it is found here on this A-Code Convertible. (James Bond fans take note: Thunderball seductress Fiona Volpe drove a Mustang Convertible in this color!)

As part of its comprehensive, photo-documented restoration, which was completed in 2013, this lovely example features a rebuilt engine with outstanding compression, along with some discrete performance updates. A 500 cfm Edelbrock carburetor, which is unseen beneath the air cleaner, is matched to an aluminum intake that has been painted black, for a thoroughly stock appearance. Elsewhere in the engine bay, one finds properly date-coded heads, an uprated roller rocker assembly, and correctly stamped wires and hoses. In addition, a 1967-style dual line front disc braking system, a three-row Ford radiator and shroud, and newly installed Vintage Air air conditioning have been fitted. The exterior was completely disassembled for paint, and it is nicely appointed, with styled stamped steel wheels, a luggage rack, and a period-correct chrome dress-up kit. The all black interior features a full-length console, which enhances the luxurious effect.

As pleasing as it is to admire the exterior, examination of the detailed undercarriage is equally rewarding. The aluminized dual exhaust is immediately eye-catching, but knowledgeable eyes will seek out and find factory side pinch welds, which indicate the extent of original sheet metal present in the car. A Shelby one-inch front sway bar and heavy duty shocks are part of a complement of suspension upgrades, including a balanced driveshaft, that serve to highlight the Mustang’s already inherent handling excellence.

This Mustang, wearing its lustrous Tropical Turquoise finish, which is complemented by a white top, a black interior, and a sympathetically updated drivetrain, expertly takes the best of 1965 and presents a driving experience today that matches the rose-tinted memories of the past.