Introduced in April of 1964, the new Ford Mustang followed the record breaking success of the Falcon. Ford Motor Company saw the need for a small, sporty car that could be marketed in the lower price range and the new Mustang would become the answer for the next several decades.

The new Mustang was built using the Falcon’s chassis and several of its other components. When introduced, it was offered as a convertible and a hardtop coupe. It was built on a 108-inch chassis and offered with both a V-8 and a six-cylinder engine. At its introduction, the coupe had a base price of $2,368 which was cheaper than any of its competitors on the market. The new Mustang was an instant hit and the Dearborn assembly plant where the Mustang was scheduled to be built, was not sufficient enough to meet the demand. By July of 1964, a new assembly line was set up in San Jose, California and soon thereafter, another assembly line was opened in Metuchen, New Jersey. By the end of 1964, over 260,000 Mustangs had been built and sold.

In 1965, Ford continued to build the Mustang with relatively few changes, although a new fastback-style coupe was added to the line. The new fastback featured a sloped rear window that was covered with a set of louvers. More options became available including power brakes, power steering and air conditioning. Over 500,000 Mustangs were built and sold this year and in 1966, over 600,000 were sold.

For the 1965 model year, Ford offered the Mustang with a six-cylinder engine as well as three different V-8 engines. Nearly 560,000 Mustangs were built and sold during this model year with the body style break down being approximately 410,000 hardtop coupes, 77,000 fastbacks and 73,000 convertibles. The convertible had a base selling price of $2,614.

This 1965 Ford Mustang convertible has the popular 289-cid, 200-hp V-8 engine with the two-barrel carburetor. It is a well- equipped example with a power top, “Pony” interior, Rally-Pac, bucket seats, center console, factory wire-style wheel covers with simulated knock-offs and a luggage rack.

Today, this Mustang presents extremely well inside and out. The car appears to be an older restoration. The body appears to be very solid with no signs of damage or repair. The door margins are fair with uneven gaps. The rear decklid also has an uneven fit on the body. The red paint is very vibrant with an overall, even gloss and shows little signs of wear. The chrome and stainless trim items are in very good condition.

The interior is extremely nice and the car is fitted with a red “Pony” (Interior Décor Group) interior that has been professionally replaced and fits well. The seats, doors panels, carpets, etc. are in excellent condition. The dashboard is very clean with clear gauges. The white, vinyl convertible top has wrinkles and some discoloration, but fits well. The glass is in very nice condition and appears to have been replaced at the time of restoration.

The engine bay is clean, but not detailed. The chassis has been undercoated and shows the usual and expected signs of use. While the chassis is clean, it has not been recently detailed.

Overall, this is a nice, driver quality Mustang convertible that is presented in what many consider to be the most desirable color option and is fitted most of the desirable accessories that today’s collectors look for when purchasing such as vehicle.