1966 Ford Mustang

“ I love this car, and it's a cool yellow too! ”
This example hails from the same year that Mustang production surpassed the 2 million mark. Quite a feat for sports car from the 1960’s

Background
Lee Iacocca enjoyed an impressive career at Ford. He joined the company in 1946 as an engineering trainee. Clearly a high-flyer Iacocca’s star rose quickly with him moving into sales and marketing where he became instrumental in Ford’s product planning function. One car in particular would help propel him to the very top of the Ford food-chain, however. As the swinging sixties arrived Iacocca was lamenting Ford’s lack of a fun but attainable sportscar – something that a recent graduate would want to drive……and be able to afford. As a result, a tight brief was compiled and development started amidst strict secrecy in 1962. The brief stipulated that the new car should be able to seat four adults, cost less than $2,500 and weigh less than 2,500 pounds. In order to meet that ambitious price point extensive access to the Ford parts bins would be required with the Fairlane and Falcon becoming the key donors.

The new car, now named Mustang, was launched at New York’s World Fair in April 1964 and simultaneously released via Ford’s huge dealer network countrywide. This was supported by one of the biggest coordinated product launches in American business history. At a time when car advertisements focussed on technical specifications, Ford did something significant – they sold the sizzle and not the sausage. Advertisements hardly touched on specifications but sold a lifestyle instead. Young, attractive actors were seen swimming, skiing, sailing and generally enjoying life in a Mustang. Ford bought slots on all three major American television networks on launch day. The commercials aired during prime-time programmes including Hazel (NBC), Perry Mason (CBS) and The Jimmy Dean Show (ABC). Over 27M Americans lapped up Ford’s coordinated marketing output. And it worked. Over 22,000 orders were placed on the launch day alone. More than 400,000 cars were sold in the first year and the millionth Mustang was sold during 1966. This unprecedented success gifted Lee Iacocca the role of President of the Ford Motor Company in 1970. The car itself would continue to sell in droves and inspired a lineage that numbers over 10.5M units to date. 

Overview
Ford were very good at providing us with plenty of information about their cars via the chassis number and door mounted information plates. This car’s chassis number is 6R07C194438 which confirms it is a 1966 model built in the San Jose assembly plant as a hardtop coupe with a 289 cu in C-spec V8. This was the 94,438th Mustang produced at San Jose for the 1966 model year. The door data plate adds some further details still. This Mustang left San Jose finished in Wimbledon White paint with a blue crinkle vinyl and standard blue vinyl interior. The scheduled build date was 5 May 1966, and the car was ordered by the Los Angeles District Sales Office. The rear axle features the standard 2.80:1 final drive and a C4 3-speed automatic transmission featured.

The observant amongst us will notice a change of colour has materialised between then and now with this Mustang now sporting an iconic Springtime Yellow livery. This change was thought to date from a restoration undertaken in the late twenty-teens. Other changes at that time included the fitting of a 302 cu.in. crate motor complete with Edelbrock carburation. A stunning new set of staggered American Racing alloys also now feature.

This Mustang was imported to the UK in 2018 and first registered with the DVLA in August of that year. Current owner, Colin, acquired the Mustang in August of 2022 to become the car’s third UK keeper.

Estimate: £17,000 - £22,000

View Current Bid Price HERE