This 1966 Mustang Coupe represents a solid, San Jose, CA built example that has benefited from some cosmetic improvements. Finished in striking “Guards Blue” with wide white stripes on the hood, roof, and trunk and exterior upgrades. Features include a front spoiler, added hood scoop, side vents on the rear fenders, Cobra & Shelby emblems, a Shelby gas cap, Shelby logo 5-spoke gray wheels with polished wheel edges, and dual exhausts with chrome tips. The car has a great stance and would be a good choice as a fun driver, occasional car to show at your local classic car gathering, or cruiser.
THE NUMBERS
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), 6R07T188460 decodes as follows:
- 6 = 1966 model year
- R = Assembly plant San Jose, CA
- 07 = Body code for hardtop
- T = Inline 6-Cylinder engine (NOTE: Now fitted with a 289c.i. V8 / 4 bbl)
- Production Sequence = 188460
MECHANICAL
- Rebuilt 289c.i. V8 (Car originally produced with a 6 cylinder and upgraded to a V8)
- Automatic transmission with floor shift
- 4bbl carburetor
- Headers
- Dual exhaust
- Color coordinated engine block and valve covers
- Custom air cleaner with Mustang logo
- Floor mounted shift / automatic transmission
- Front disc brakes / rear drum brakes
- Front sway bar
- Replacement shock absorbers
- Replacement fuel tank
- Upgraded 5 spoke light gray 14” wheels with polished lips & Shelby logo center caps
- 205/75 14” radial tires
EXTERIOR
- Guards blue exterior
- Wide white striped over hood, roof, and trunk
- Hood scoop
- Side ducts on each of rear fender(s) side
- Straight body w/ good panel fit
- Cobra emblems on both front fenders
- Shelby gas cap
- Stock radio antenna on right front fender
- Driver’s outside rear view mirror
- All glass is very good
- Nice grille
- All light lenses are good
- Straight front and rear bumpers w/ nice chrome
- Very solid rocker panel area
INTERIOR
- Black interior
- Beautiful seats front & rear
- Black front & rear lap belts
- Upgraded radio in stock, uncut dash opening
- Nice black carpet w/ black mats
- Excellent black door panels
- Crack-free black dash pad
- Clear gauges and nice dash trim
- Black sun visors
- Black headliner in good condition
- Upgraded 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel
- Working, stock heater/defroster
- Both doors, the hood and the trunk lid open and close smartly
- All 4 windows roll up and down easily and seal properly
- Both “wing” wings operate properly
- Functional AM / FM aftermarket radio
- Very solid, rust-free door bottoms
- All lights work
- Fully functional gauges
- Very solid trunk floor, no signs of damage or previous repair
- Full size spare tire and original type
COSMETIC CONDITION
The Mustang has benefited from a respray in “Guards Blue” with white Shelby style stripes, emblems, and badging. The coverage car presents well, with high gloss paint. No partial painting has been completed since the car received a complete respray. Aside from a dime-size spot inside the trunk gutter rail that was treated prior to painting, the body is solid and free from rot/rust through, even in areas like the rocker panels and under the doors where rust can usually be found, especially on cars that have lived in inclement weather. The body is very straight and the panel fit is good for the era when this car was produced. The doors close solidly with a light touch and the hood and trunk gaps / fit are good. There are no signs of previous damage or repair either on the body or underside of the car. Minor imperfections in the paint can be seen in the extensive photos in the listing. The car has reportedly been garaged by the current and previous owners.
The 5-spoke light gray wheels with polished outer edges and are wrapped in 205/75 14’ radials. All glass is excellent. Both bumpers are free from damage with good chrome and the valence panels under the bumpers are good. The stainless trim around the windows shows well.
The black interior shows nicely with excellent vinyl seats, nice carpet, a crack-free dash pad and nice door panels. The light-colored headliner and sun visors are also very good and free from damage, tears or fading. The metal panels adjacent to both sides of the rear seat are in fine condition. The rear window package shelf, fitted with two 6” x 9” speakers, is nice showing no warping or signs of leakage from poor window seals.
The engine compartment is very clean with engine and factory correct valve covers painted light blue. The Mustang has a 289c.i. rebuilt engine & 4bbl carburetor covered by a Mustang logo oval air cleaner. The underside shows solid floor pans, chassis, and other components with light surface rust but no rot or rust through.. The trunk floor is very solid and rust free, covered with a trunk mat and a full-sized spare tire and original style jack.
DRIVABILITY
We recently took the car on a long drive (one of the benefits of our job!!) and the mustang certainly brought back some old memories. The car starts immediately, idles smoothly, shifts properly with excellent shifting and no noticeable drivability issues or mechanical problems. The car has excellent power, does not hesitate and runs smoothly and well.
The Mustang tracks straight and stops as designed. Steering is tight and relatively light, especially once underway, due to the size and weight of the car. We do not feel the need for power steering and actually do not enjoy the lack of feel on some of the overly power assisted cars of this era. The emergency brake is fully functional and adjusted properly. The car does not overheat, even in our warm California climate.
The lighting system is fully functional as are wipers, functional radio, and working heater / defroster. The Mustang passed the required California safety inspection with no findings / needs.
OTHER
- California smog test not required for vehicles 1975 and older
- Passed the California required safety inspection for working wipers, turn signals, lights, brakes, etc.
- Clear California title with current California registration, paid through August, 2022
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE 1966 FORD MUSTANG COUPE
- Wheelbase 108 inches
- Length 6 inches
- Width 2 inches
- Height 1 inches
- Luggage 9 cu. ft.
- Curb weight 2556 lbs
- Fuel capacity 16 gallons
HISTORY OF THE FORD MUSTANG
The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from April 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobile known as the pony car. The Mustang’s styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of imitators.
Lee Iacocca‘s assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald Frey, was the head engineer for the Mustang project — supervising the development of the Mustang in a record 18 months from September 1962 to March 1964 — while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager.
It was initially introduced in 1964 as a hardtop and convertible with a fastback version put on sale the following year. At the time of its introduction, the Mustang was slotted into a compact car segment. To decrease development costs, the Mustang used chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane.
Since it was introduced five months before the normal start of the 1966 production year and manufactured alongside 1964 Ford Falcons and 1964 Mercury Comets, the earliest Mustangs are widely referred to as the 1964½ model but are registered as 1966’s. Several changes to the Mustang occurred at the start of the normal 1966 model year production, five months after its introduction. These cars are known as “late 65’s” and were built after factory retooling in August 1964. The DC electrical generator was replaced by a new AC alternator on all Fords. The Mustang GT version was introduced as the “GT Equipment Package”. The standard interior features of the 1966 Mustang included adjustable driver and passenger bucket seats, an AM radio, and a floor mounted shifter. Total 1966 production of all body styles was 559,451 of which 372,123 were the standard coupe.