Ford Mustang GT 289 Auto

Just as the Aston Martin DB5 was immortalised by Sean Connery's James Bond, so the Ford Mustang achieved iconic status in the hands of Steve McQueen's Lt Frank Bullitt, hurtling through the streets of San Francisco in the greatest car chase ever filmed.

To be fair to the car though, it had already taken America by storm, selling over one million units within 18 months of its April 1964 launch, four years before Bullitt put the icing on what was already an irresistible cake.

Although McQueen drove a modified fastback GT version, at first the Mustang was only available as a 'notchback' coupe or a convertible. Based around the chassis, suspension and drivetrain of the Ford Falcon and Fairlane, it had a much stiffer frame and wider track to give it the handling to match its sporting looks. 

At least 200kgs lighter than the latest Mercedes C Class, a full 2” narrower and only ½” longer, the Mustang is no over-bloated land yacht. It does make one wonder if all of the modern gadgets are worth their weight and bulk!

This 'A Code' 289 cubic inch Mustang was built at Ford’s main Dearborn plant in Michigan in 1965. Fitted with the 4-barrel engine, it was specified as an auto, a transmission which suits these cars very well. Purchased by the vendor some 9 years ago after spotting it at a local car show, he set about a general programme of improvements on what was already a very sound, rust-free example. Imported from America in 1992, it was reputed to have just had a gearbox overhaul before it left and comes with a pile of US invoices for work undertaken. The vendor is the third owner since its arrival on these shores.

When purchased, it was sitting on standard wheels and was entirely stock, with the addition of Rally Pac instruments, air conditioning, spotlamps (fully working) and a rare bench front seat, all options which are believed to have been factory fitted from new. Since then, the vendor has gradually upgraded the car, starting with the addition of Shelby Stripes. These have been done to the exact specification of the originals, tapering as they should from front to back. He also fitted Koni dampers and Torque Thrust wheels with Pirelli P6000 tyres which, according to him, transform the car.

Already fitted with disc brakes up front, new drums were fitted to the rear with new Aeroquip hoses, whilst a US sourced conversion to a dual master cylinder and servo means that it now stops as well as it looks. A new original pattern steering box was also fitted, of the type used by the racers in the US, which eliminates much of the free play often associated with these cars.

Continuing with safety related items, a set of front and rear, lap and diagonal seatbelts were fitted in matching red, along with a sequential rear indicator system, converting the US rear light setup into something we Europeans can understand.

Internally the trim was in good condition; however the vendor managed to source a special steering wheel. Moto-Lita supplied Carol Shelby with the original Shelby steering wheels, the vendor managing to obtain through them an original centre section which they built up using a nice thick black leather rim rather than the Shelby thin wood section. The radio/cassette was also updated with a period look unit in the Mustang style which now receives FM signals. 

The original air conditioning was not functioning and had a huge under bonnet compressor. This was replaced in 2011 with an all new compressor and condenser including new pipes designed to use modern gas. The original under-dash unit was however incorporated, the vendor describing it as working much better than the original design. More recently a re-cored radiator, new battery and alloy rocker covers have been added. A nice set of tubular steel manifolds mate to a specially made stainless steel system which apparently makes a lovely rich burble without being “over the top”.

MOTd until September 2013, the car comes with 10 old MOTs. When driven down to the last two Le Mans Classics it has returned over 20mpg and has proved completely reliable, comfortable and easy to use. The vendor told us that he has owned this car longer than any other and is only offering it for sale to fund his latest project - a supercharged Studebaker Avanti!