Lot 515: 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback Coupé

‘The Mustang can be tailored to be anything from a gentle in-town ladies’ car to an impressive 130mph highway performer. Undoubtedly its almost infinitely variable personality is one of the car's chief attractions...’ - William S Stone, ‘The Ford Mustang’.
Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupé part way through the 1964 season, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard. Brainchild of Lee Iacocca - subsequent saviour of the Chrysler Corporation – the Mustang is one of the most remarkable automotive success stories of modern times and arguably the pinnacle of his long career with Ford. Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of ’64. This remarkable debut was followed by a staggering 524,791 sales in 1965, earning Ford a fortune.
The secret of the Mustang’s success was a broad appeal that extended beyond the target market thanks to a great value-for-money package combining sporty looks, decent economy and brisk performance. Mustangs could be ordered in specifications ranging from six-cylinder ‘economy’ to V8-powered luxury, while customers could choose from an extensive range of factory options, with the result that seldom are two Mustangs identical.
Described as ‘road and track ready’, this Mustang Fastback has the 289ci (4,727cc) V8 engine, four-speed manual transmission, full roll cage and harness. We are advised that the car has been the subject of extensive restoration of both the bodywork and mechanicals, undertaken between 2001 and 2007, and is in excellent order. Offered fresh from the installation of a new power-assisted braking system and a full service, it features the signatures of American motor racing legends Phil Hill and Dan Gurney on the glove compartment and comes with MoT to June 2009 and Swansea V5.