32-Years-Family-Owned, 302-Powered 1964.5 Ford Mustang Coupe

Description

The Ford Mustang officially debuted at the Ford Pavilion as part of the New York World's Fair on April 17th, 1964. Championed by Lee Iacocca, the car instantly became an automotive icon known for its style, sportiness, and affordability. With a base price of approximately $2,368, Ford projected 100,000 units would sell in the first year, but dealers took over 22,000 orders on the first day alone, leading to more than 400,000 sales in the first 12 months.

Approximately 121,538 Mustangs were produced before September 1964, and these early cars have long been coined "1964½" Mustangs in enthusiast circles. These early production models feature unique technical specs compared to later 1965 models. Some details include a generator charging system, a non-adjustable passenger seat, larger horns mounted on the frame near the strut rod, and fully chromed wiper arms and blades with unique pivots.

This '64.5 Mustang left the Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant finished in Rangoon Red over black vinyl upholstery and currently wears an older repaint. Acquired by the seller in 1994, the car received an 8" rear axle as well as a 302ci V8 equipped with a Holley carburetor, an Edelbrock intake manifold, and a performance camshaft in 2019.

It has also been fitted with a RetroSound radio, a dual exhaust system, 15" Torq Thrust wheels, and front disc brakes with drilled rotors. Additional modifications are listed below.

This 1964½ Ford Mustang Hardtop is now offered with handwritten service notes, the removed AM radio, and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name.

Highlights

• Early production model

• 302ci V8 with Holley carburetor

• C4 automatic transmission

• 8" rear axle, reportedly from a 1965 Mercury Comet

• Repainted Rangoon Red

• 15" Torq Thrust wheels

• Front disc brakes with drilled rotors

• RetroSound radio with knobs from the factory AM radio

Factory Equipment

• The data plate decodes as:

  • Body: 65A — Coupe with standard interior

  • Color: J — Rangoon Red paint

  • Trim: 86 — Black vinyl

  • Date: 21E — May 21st, 1964, build date

  • DSO: 26 — Washington, DC, District Sales Office

  • Axle: 3 — 3.20:1 standard differential

  • Transmission: 6 — C4 automatic transmission

• The chassis number (5F07U142843) decodes as:

  • 5 — 1965 model year

  • F — Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant

  • 07 — Mustang, two-door hardtop

  • U — 170ci 1V inline-six

  • 142843 — Sequential production number

Modifications

• 302ci V8 engine

• Holley carburetor

• Edelbrock intake manifold

• Performance camshaft

• Dual exhaust system with Tri-Y headers, H-pipe, and Thrush mufflers

• V8-specification radiator and driveshaft

• Stainless steel coolant overflow

• NPD frame brackets

• TCI Street Rodder torque converter

• NPD external voltage regulator alternator conversion

• 8" rear axle, reportedly from a 1965 Mercury Comet

• 15" American Racing Torq Thrust wheels

• 155/80 and 225/60 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires

• Front disc brakes with drilled rotors

• RetroSound radio with Bluetooth functionality

• Aftermarket speakers

Servicing & Documentation

According to the seller, the following service work was performed:

• 2023

  • Battery replaced

• 2019

  • Installed fuel manifold, relocated fuel line, replaced fuel pump, and rejetted carburetor

  • Replaced rear shocks

  • Replaced brake light switch

  • Replaced spark plugs and ignition wires

• 2017

  • Replaced wheels and tires

  • Replaced front bucket seats

Known Imperfections

• Horn inoperative

• Misaligned panels

• Corrosion on underbody components

• Scratch near the passenger headlight

• Scratch on the leading edge of the hood

• Radio mount area cut out

• Loose door panel material

• Stained/dirty carpeting

Ownership History

The car was reportedly acquired by the seller from its original owner in Virginia in May 1994. It spent approximately 20 years with the seller’s daughter and son-in-law before being reacquired by the seller in 2019.

Included Items

• Handwritten service notes

• Removed AM radio

• Metal decorative sign

Additional Information

• From the seller: "I believe this is the original unaltered odometer mileage, but I believe the odometer has rolled over one time. When I purchased the vehicle in 1994 from the original owner, she indicated to me that the odometer mileage of 66,423 was the correct mileage and that the car had not been driven much for several years."

• From the seller: "I have included photos of the service notebook -- I do not have service records for the big upgrades that were made on the car. My daughter and son-in-law had the car at that time, and they didn't keep the receipts. They did log everything into the service notebook, and I have that."

• From the seller: "I replaced the AM radio with a modern classic-look RetroSound radio. I got the original AM radio working several years ago, so I believe it still works. I used the original radio knobs on the RetroSound radio."