Ford Mustang Fastback 289Ci Automatic

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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 the Mustang was eventually available as a ‘notchback’ coupe and a full convertible, the best looking and most sought after model is definitely the original Bullitt-style Fastback, as here.

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 bloated land yacht and can comfortably be piloted through narrow English streets.

This stunning 1966 Mustang 289 Fastback 2+2 Automatic had just one American owner for over 20 years before being imported to the UK earlier this year. A dry state car, it had been treated to a comprehensive rotisserie restoration some years previously (with photos and notes documenting the process) and has been sparingly used in fine weather only since, bills showing regualr upkeep since the rebuild was completed.

Painted in its original Emberglo with Emberglo/Parchment Lux Pony interior, it also has the optional Rally Pac (rev counter and clock mounted on the steering column). It is powered by Ford’s 4.7-litre (289Ci) V8 and is also fitted with various upgrades which include an Edelbrock 4 venturi carb and Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold along with alloy Cobra rocker covers and twin Flowmaster exhausts which sound magnificent!

The underside is every bit as good as the topside and the whole car is now mellowing beautifully. Recently fitted with a new set of period steel wheels and tyres, it also benefits from factory fitted air conditioning and an original 8-track cassette player with a box full of classic 60s tapes to choose from. Said to drive beautifully with an MOT until January 2016, it comes with a good history file, all its tools and handbooks plus a tailor-made car cover.

Compared to more sophisticated European options, the Mustang's appeal is raw, affordable and simple with an amazing parts back up that no other classic can match. The clean and dainty pre-67 cars are the ones to have (later models getting bigger and heavier as time went on) and the Fastback style just oozes Sixties cool – as will the lucky new owner, cruising along, windows down, Ray Bans on, Lalo Schifrin playing through the speakers.

AMENDMENT: Please note that this car is fitted with a 200bhp Challenger V8 plus some performance modifications but does not have the 271bhp engine referred to in the catalogue.