California Survivor: 1966 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
When an enthusiast searches for an original classic or a rust-free project car, drier states like Nevada, Arizona, and California are prime locations. Vehicles from those regions may have baked paint and interior trim, but they’ve generally escaped the ravages of the dreaded tin worm. Such is the case with this 1966 Mustang GT Fastback, which is listed here on eBay in Lancaster, California. It has spent its life in that area, and its overall condition makes the frantic bidding beyond the reserve to $30,099 unsurprising. Time remains on the auction for readers wishing to throw their hat into the ring.
For potential buyers, this Mustang looks like a genuine winning proposition. The seller claims its Vintage Burgundy paint is original, with the car never receiving any restoration or repainting. It’s as baked as you might expect for a vehicle of this age from a dry and sunny climate, but there is no reason why it desperately needs restoration. The panels are straight, and unsurprisingly, the car remains 100% rust-free. There is the usual dry surface corrosion in some spots but no steel penetration. The panels are clean, with the floors, rails, and torque box region all structurally sound. This GT retains its correct grille and stripes, and the damage-prone factory hubcaps are spotless. With clear glass and chrome that is acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, the successful bidder could enjoy this classic immediately while contemplating their next move.
The positive news continues when we examine this Mustang’s mechanical history and specifications. The original owner ordered it with the A-Code version of the sweet 289ci V8, which sends 225hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. While the fire-breathing K-Code was the undisputed king, this car should still storm the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph. The only non-original parts are the water pump, alternator, and radiator. The seller claims this car was a daily driver until 1997, but it now only sees the occasional weekend outing. That isn’t bad news because the car remains in excellent mechanical health. They listing include this embedded video to support the claim. The V8 sounds as sweet as a nut, and the Mustang heads down the road with no evidence of smoke or odd noises. With the seller recently completing a tune-up and oil change, this GT is a turnkey classic awaiting a new owner.
Considering its age and location, the tired interior trim probably won’t surprise many potential buyers. It is serviceable, but it would benefit from a refresh. The shopping list will include front seatcovers, a carpet set, a headliner, and possibly, an upper dash pad. This last item is not essential, but the warping of the original may prompt some to source a replacement. Unless the new owner plans a meticulous restoration, I would struggle to justify the $2,000 or more a trim kit represents. The door trims, plastic, and back seat are all fine, so spending the additional cash may be unnecessary.
This 1966 Mustang GT Fastback leaves potential buyers with decisions to make. Its paint is tired and baked, and the car would undoubtedly benefit from a strip and repaint. However, with so much of this classic as it rolled off the showroom floor, maybe some of the thirteen people who have submitted forty-three bids are contemplating preservation. Either approach is valid, but which would you choose?
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Comments
The strong bidding illustrates the desirability of first gen Mustang fastbacks, even when in tired, sunbaked condition like this one. The whitewalls/ wheel covers gives it sort of an everyman look. The four-speed would be what I want. Normally I would be in favor of restoring (i.e. painting) it, but there are plenty of highly-restored Mustangs out there. Maybe if you want something different just leave it mostly as-is, though I would redo the upholstery.
Ah, Lancaster. Home to Willow Springs Raceway (as seen in ‘Ford vs Ferrari’), Edwards AFB (as seen in the ORIGINAL ‘The Right Stuff’) and all the stereotypical desert scenes we grew up with of The Western Desert where frying an egg on the hood of the car is a given (even at 0700 in the morning).
The experienced folks that live there relate to ‘Dune’ as water is a precious commodity and it’s a great place to preserve a car like this if it’s taken car of by basic maintenance plus a garage in which to park. Car tires, interiors and your skin will dry out then crack if you don’t.
In general I would not restore this one. That being said, a good paint restoration guy could probably breathe a little bit of life into the paint, at least where it still exists and make the car much more presentable without loosing the originality. It looks like someone did do a little work on the right front portion of the roof and it appears the paint responded.
I think this would also be worth the cost of dry ice blasting under the hood. I’m not sure that removes rust but again it would be a much nicer look when the hood is raised. After all, how many unrestored, [[and driven] Fastbacks are there out there..
Ice blasting typically does not remove rust but will do a nice job cleaning up an underside or engine compartment covered in years of crud.
After cleaning up the car’s engine compartment you’ve stepped onto a slippery slope!
Checks every box for me. Nothing I love more than a California black plate survivor.
66 bids and up to $43, 600+ on the bids. The car deserves preservation if at all possible. Maybe, just maybe, spring for an interior re-do. Some life can be “breathed” into the tired paint, by a really experienced and competent body man. Price is already way beyond my means.
Way too tired for that price point. Other examples with good paint and better interiors can be had – ready to go – for 10K less.
Looks like the right rear quarter was repainted. Did I miss a mentioning to this in the add? Has a lot of potential, not sure worth what it will bid to however.
Interior re-do clean the rest and drive it on nice days, this car would bring me a lot of joy driving.
This Mustang GT Fastback sold for $46,090.00. This is a bone stock GT. It has standard black interior and standard 1966 hubcaps. I talked to the owner. He sent me a photo of the door tag. Car has a DSO of 71-Los Angeles. It also had a 3.00 posi traction rear end. I do not know if the car had power steering. I doubt it, as most 3 speed and 4 speed manual transmission 1966 Mustangs had manual steering. The only extra was the “A” coded rear end. I have the exact same car. Mind came with the same standard hubcaps with fake knock off caps, 4 speed transmission, standard black interior. with vintage burgundy paint and white GT Stripe. I have a standard 3.00 rear end. Mine also came with a factory 8 track AM radio. I have owned my car since 1976 and this is the first time that I have seen another Mustang like mine.