1965 Ford Mustang

Hold on to your (ten-gallon) hats because this Mustang has a helluva story for you.

For a start ‘DWD 311C’ is not an official UK import, which for some cars might have an adverse effect on their value. However, this example was one of two Ford Mustangs imported by Harry Ferguson. Yes, that Harry Ferguson, the tractor guy.

Consecutive cars off the production line, one of them was converted to four-wheel-drive (Ferguson was also, you may remember, the man behind the first production four-wheel-drive car ever built, the Jensen FF) and this one was left to factory specification to allow a direct comparison to be made. 

Both were then shipped to Sweden to test before being brought back to the UK. The history file contains a copy of a newsletter from the time detailing the differences the Ferguson four-wheel-drive and Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock braking system conversions made to the car’s handling and roadholding in snowy winter conditions. 

The seller has photos to prove its provenance – and the 4x4 Mustang is currently in the Tampa Automotive Museum as an example of one of the first production cars to be fitted with all-wheel drive. 

These are important vehicles.

The seller bought the Mustang in May 2022 from a man who’d had it for 20-ish years, a chap who’d kept it garaged and had covered fewer than 1,000 miles in all that time. 

Fitting with the 289 cu.in V8 engine and automatic transmission, the Mustang was serviced only recently by well-known independent experts Thunder Road. This work set him back more than £4,000 – and this was in addition to previous bills that add up to a similar amount.

This makes the Mustang “ready to drive. All the major work has been done, it drives like a dream and it gets so much attention!” 

The Vintage Burgundy coachwork (yes, that’s its proper name; it’s colour code ‘X’ as you can see on the chassis plate…) looks stunning in the photos – and it is every bit as good in real life. Our photographer is a talented chap but he had an easy day when he shot this car. 

Consistent and even shutlines help form a good impression as you walk up to it, an impression that’s further bolstered by straight panels and good paint as you get closer. 

Very good paint, in fact; with a great shine to it and only minimal stonechips and age-related marks, the paintwork needs nothing other than continued love and care.

The Mustang doesn’t have much chrome but what there is is in great shape and complements the car’s lines and colour perfectly; this is an understated and elegant example of an ever-popular sporting saloon.

The 14-inch steel wheels are covered by impressively preserved chromed hubcaps. The very outer edges of the rims themselves are showing a little surface rust, so you might want to add that to your (very short) To Do list.

They’re fitted with matching General AMERI*G4S whitewall M&S tyres. They have got plenty of tread left but do look like they’re getting on a bit, so you might like to think about replacing them.

Nonetheless, as we will never get tired of telling you, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The colour of the Palomino cabin suits the coachwork perfectly and yet, for all care taken in its initial design, it’s the condition that impresses the most not least because it benefits from having had the front and rear seats professionally retrimmed in November 2022.

The result is a cabin that’s as wonderfully understated as the exterior; while some Mustangs shout for your attention, this one has enough self-confidence to wait for you to notice it.

And you will notice it because it’s gorgeous all the way from the immaculate seats through to the fabulous carpets and taut headlining; it has survived more than half-a-century with impressive aplomb. 

The steering wheel and gearshift handle let you know you’re in the presence of something special and they’re supported by that iconic dashboard and 120mph speedometer.

Wherever you look there are Easter eggs. Like the brake pedal, which has the legend “DISC BRAKE” on it. And the inscribed chrome controls for the wipers, cigar lighter, heater, and lights. And the original Ford radio. And the built-in lock on the gearshift, which is a great anti-theft measure.

It’s also a practical car; not only are the rear seats immaculately trimmed, they also have the sort of legroom that makes this a genuine four/five-seater car. 

As for flaws, while the boot floor is solid there is a little surface rust that could do with being taken care of before it becomes problematic.

Less serious are the stains on the rear carpet, which are hidden beneath the ribbed rubber overmats. Oh, and the radio doesn’t work.

The seller tells us: “Since I’ve owned it I’ve done the following at a cost of over £8000: 

• New fuel filter, alternator and regulator, 
• New front and rear brake discs and pads, plus battery leads and a temperature gauge sender 
• Full new exhaust system, and 
• The carburettors have been tuned 

“All this work was carried out by Thunder Road cars in March 2023. 

“I’ve also had fitted a new electronic ignition system and ignition coil, a new Holley 4 bbl carburettor and Edelbrok intake, and a fuel pump and battery.”

As you can see in the video, it fires into life with enthusiasm and idles nicely with no warning lights illuminated. It also revs perfectly, all the while making a noise that brought an involuntary smile to even our most hard-nosed appraiser… 

And you can say what you like about the efficiency of fuel injection but you can’t beat the induction rasp from a big carburettor, can you? And that exhaust note! Heavens alive that’s wonderful, isn’t it?

(And we bet you play the last bit of the video twice: Once because you didn’t realise how good it was going to sound - and then again when you did.)

The engine bay is in good shape and while most would be happy to leave it as it is we can’t help but think a few days spent tidying it up and painting the odd rusty component would be a worthwhile investment. 

It’s the same story underneath; it looks good and solid but there is some surface rust that could do with being caught and treated sooner rather than later. No MoT tester has ever had cause to mention rust and only a little time and money would be needed to keep it that way for many years to come. 

As for faults, the seller tells us: “The only item left to do is the heater. It was disconnected by the previous owner and I didn’t ever feel the need to reconnect it as I have never driven it in winter.”

The original ‘RF60’ Registration Book shows Harry Ferguson Research Ltd as the first owner on the 18th of March 1965. It also comes with a handwritten logbook covering the years up to 1971 plus a period photo of it in action and a copy of a book that shows the cars being tested out in Sweden.

It also has the ‘1965 Registered Owner’s Manual’ as well as a brilliantly detailed ‘speedo correction’ cheat sheet that shows the discrepancy depending on what tyres are fitted. 

The Mustang’s MoT certificate is valid until March 2024 and it was gained, like many before, with no advisories whatsoever.

But then that isn’t a surprise because previous records – both invoices and handwritten – demonstrate a history of careful curation. It also has MoT certificates dating back to 1970 plus lots of expired road tax discs.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

Name-checked by everyone from David Bowie to Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John to Mr. Big, few cars are as iconic as a classic Ford Mustang.

And this one has it all; an amazing history and a half-century of being pampered make this your passport to the sort of rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of your whole life – and which recent events might have prompted you to realise sooner rather than later.

It’s also more practical than you might think. Capable of seating four with ease and five at a pinch, it is also ULEZ compliant – and despite being exempt from the need for an MoT, the owner has very sensibly put one on anyway. We like that. 

There will always be a place for a classic Mustang in the hearts and minds of classic car enthusiasts, and this particular example has the added bonus of a significant history. We estimate that it will sell for £20,000-£25,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.