Sometimes you just get lucky. Around the end of my second year of college a friend of my father decided that his 1966 289 Mustang Convertible just didn’t fit his lifestyle anymore. In a less-than-agonizing break from family tradition, I adopted this non-orphan, highly conventional automobile. The 1969 Ford Cortina GT was running ok, but if there was ever a time in life to own a Mustang convertible, this was certainly it.
I had a part time job and decided that a set of F60 tires on Crager “mag” wheels was a great way to really start being more conventional. The price was right and the bolt pattern fit, so after a few hasty (and inaccurate, as it turned out) measurements regarding the wheel wells, an hour in the driveway produced a really (at least in my opinion) fine looking vehicle. This impression, however, did not survive the first turn around the block. The clearance on the rear wheel wells was such that any upward motion of the axle was peeling rubber off the sidewalls.
Thus began about one month of more small fender modifications, (I was lucky and never damaged the fender), and adding heavy duty shocks and bolt-on 750 lb overload springs in an effort to make this modification usable. While it finally stopped the tire destruction, the ride and handling were hardly worth the effort, and the onset of winter with the usual ice build up was reason enough to abandon the effort. Sold the Cragers, bolted on the original wheels and tires, and proceeded to simply enjoy a vehicle which has justly been considered an American classic just the way it arrived.
The whole story of the Ford Mustang has been gone over by better informed people than myself. The reputation for reliable build quality and steady performance by the 289 2V and C-4 automatic was upheld by the one I owned, and there was no servicing required during the years I had that car, aside from the regular oil changes and tune ups I could do in the driveway. The heater worked,the AM radio had enough selections to avoid boredom if the 8-track failed, and the beach was about an hour away–less, if you included the 8-foot sailboat I owned on a nearby lake.
The 289 was an excellent engine. The solid lifter modification was good for 271 BHP but mine would never be worked that hard. When the time came to go to graduate school, I knew that this vehicle would be ruined in the area around Philadelphia I would be living in, and my finances were going to be too tenuous to permit it to be maintained properly. So I quietly turned it over to my brother and father, a sort of thanks to him and my brother with the hope that they had the same fun I did (they didn’t disappoint). Then it was down to the Philadelphia area with a Suzuki T-500 as my personal transport for the next three years. Sometimes you just get lucky.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved 1964-67 Mustangs.
Car buffs often roll their eyes at the early Mustang just because it’s so ubiquitous, but as a painless ‘classic car’ choice, it has a lot to recommend it: still not stupidly expensive except for certain rare permutations; perfectly reasonable for modern traffic with a bit of care; easy to maintain and fix; no particular parts issues; and yet still stylish and classic enough to make people smile. There are other cars I find more interesting, but if I were looking to buy something to use, something like this (albeit not a convertible) would probably be about my speed.
A strong case could be made that the original, first-generation Mustang is the ultimate classic. Yeah, they’re everywhere at car shows, but they really are a beautiful design that can, to this day, be driven daily. That can’t be said for a lot of other classics. In that regard, it is one of the best classics that can be enjoyed by actually driving it. Many old, restored Mustangs are not garage queens.
The 289/C-4 combo, while not as anvil-reliable as, say, a Mopar slant-six/Torqueflite, is still quite stout (if not exactly a high-performance combination). Ford’s horsepower ratings were hopelessly optimistic and until the 428 CobraJet engine arrived towards the end of the decade, Fords were widely regarded to be easy meat for just about anyone else in a drag race.
That same proliferation that makes some aficionados turn up their noses, also makes the early Mustang extremely easy to maintain and keep running. Bang one up in a minor collision? No problem, plenty of body parts available (I think they might even still be available from Ford). The drivetrains, being nearly as prolific as a small block Chevy, are, likewise, easily repaired and kept running. That sure can’t be said for the rare stuff.
The Falcon that became a swan.
Most of us have a car like this that circumstances make us sell but that never really leave us. Mine was a six cyl 67 chevelle (2 door post). Economical, looked good, and with a trunk that would contain a 350 Jawa motorcycle. Sold it to a dirtbag who turned around and resold it and gave me the sads.
The styling of these earlier years never wears thin. In comparison, the Mach 1’s in ’69 looked bulky to me, although their likeness won out when the retro “new look” took hold, which gave Ford a huge boost..bravo!
Looks like the 289 badges are not on the front fenders..not that anyone would be fooled into thinking this has the 6 under the bonnet.
It’s conceivable that there’s a six under the hood, particularly with the transverse rear muffler (with dual outlets) that Ford used on the early Mustangs. That car looks too nice for someone to have accidentally omitted the 289 emblems.
One of the few cars which looks equally great as a convertible,coupe or fastback.
There’s a reason people love these cars. Their shortcomings never overshadow the pleasure of driving and owning them. Just don’t buy an old rustbucket.
It’s Cragar.
Great looking cars. Parts are easy to get. Simple to work on. Would be a nice daily driver. A fastback of this gen would be my favorite. Good to hear it was returned to the family.
Agreed, there is something seductive about the early Mustang. I am fortunate to have been around when these were ordinary used cars. No wait, Mustangs were never ordinary used cars, there was something special about them at any age. I did enjoy my 68.
Mustang convertible as transportation in your college years? Wow…we should all be so lucky. Very nice indeed! And all good points about the usability — hard to beat a classic that just runs like it should and doesn’t cause trouble.