1966 Ford Mustang GT coupe 97970 Miles Silver Frost 289 cubic inch V8 4-speed

1966 Ford Mustang -- Description

In the world of vintage Mustangs, the word "rare" is, well, rare. They built millions of them and they're still some of the most popular collector cars in the world. So maybe this 1966 Ford Mustang GT coupe isn't quite rare, but it's certainly unusual: a documented, real-deal GT coupe with a 4-speed in an unusual color with lots of options. They didn't keep records of how many of each type and color were produced, but we'll wager that no... more than a handful of Silver Frost GT coupes with 4-speed gearboxes slipped out the Dearborn assembly plant doors. And that alone makes this handsome little coupe quite appealing. The fact that it has a known ownership history with just two owners, remains almost entirely original save for some paint touch-ups, and is heavily documented with its original window sticker and service receipts dating back 40 years only enhances what is already a very appealing package. This handsome GT coupe carries more than $1000 worth of options on a car with a base price just over $2400 when it was new—that's a pretty hefty hit on the bottom line. That's probably explained by the fact that it was originally a lease to a Ford Motor Company executive. In 1968 it went to its first actual owner who kept it well into the 1980s before going to its second and most recent owner who has cared for it for more than 30 years. It appears to have been touched-up here and there, but most of it looks like original paint and it's still in excellent shape throughout. The right rear quarter panel has been repainted, probably to repair a parking garage graze by the first owner, but the rest of the sheetmetal is in very good condition with panel fit that's pretty much the way the factory did it. Silver is certainly an unusual choice for a sporting Mustang, but it works extremely well with the black vinyl top (fantastic condition) and the black GT stripes along the rockers. All the factory GT equipment is in place, including the fog lights, unique badging, twin trumpet exhaust tips poking through the rear valence, and the unique GT gas cap. This car also includes an accessory trunk rack that was probably installed early in the car's life. The chrome is in beautiful condition and it wears the famous '289' emblems that it comes by honestly. The black deluxe interior, AKA Pony interior, is almost entirely original and in wonderful condition. There are a few signs of use, but it's rare to see a car with 53-year-old upholstery that looks this good. There are no splits or tears in the seats and even the original padding underneath is reasonably firm and comfortable. Notable options include a Rally-Pac on the steering column, a full-length console, and a Hurst shifter for the 4-speed manual, another detail that probably dates to very early in the car's life. The Pony interior included woodgrained accents on the door handles, steering wheel, and instrument panel, and that helps break up the otherwise all-black interior. The carpets have likely been replaced since they're just too nice to date to 1966, and they're protected by a set of monogrammed rubber floor mats. The gauges are all fully operational except the clock and it includes an AM radio with factory rear speaker, an option we haven't seen before (unfortunately, the radio seems to be inop). The remote driver's mirror is another unusual option and you'll note that the back seat looks almost completely unused. The trunk is fitted with its original mat and an ancient bias-ply spare tire that probably dates to the original owner. All GTs came standard with the A-code 289 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and 225 horsepower. The window sticker calls it the "Challenger Special" which is something I had not seen before. Like all Ford 289s, this one runs great, with a nice, fat torque curve and a willingness to rev that you just don't get in some of the later, bigger engines. It's a bit scruffy under the hood but still quite correct, with original Ford Blue engine enamel sticking to the block and the GT-spec chrome air cleaner and matching valve covers. Other correct details include the yellow cap coil, factory alternator, and correct reproduction tune-up parts including the plug wires. It looks quite right under the hood. You'll also note there's no rust or other issues on the inner fenders, indicative of a car that has been well-maintained and never used in winter weather. Factory decals still hang on the shock towers and Mustang restorers will be happy to spot the fan shroud up front, which usually gets tossed and never reinstalled. The Autolite 4100 4-barrel carburetor has been recently rebuilt so it starts easily and runs great, pulling with genuine enthusiasm through all four gears. This little coupe was probably a very potent car on the streets of 1966! It's probably worth noting that the 4-speed was the single most expensive option on the car at $184.02, which was more than the A-code V8 or the GT equipment group. There's a recent clutch handling the hookup and the Hurst shifter really helps the manual gearbox slam through the gates—it's just a pleasure to hustle this car. The rest of the undercarriage is pretty original, showing some grease and grime but no critical rust issues. At some point in the past two small patches were welded into place in the rear footwells where these cars always rust—the workmanship is well done and they will present no additional problems in the future. Manual steering is light and easy to manage, while front disc brakes were standard equipment on the GT. 3.00 gears out back make it a comfortable car in today's world and the dual exhaust system has just the right purr to it, not too aggressive but certainly fun. Steel wheels with wire hubcaps and whitewalls is how it was originally ordered, and it sits on fresh 185/75/14 Uniroyal whitewall radials with less than 50 miles on them. Documentation is extensive, including the original window sticker, maintenance receipts dating back to the '70s, and a 1984 calendar where this was the March feature car. It's not rare, but it's certainly unusual and with its great combination of originality and documentation, this Mustang is more than just fast fun. It stands out in a very crowded field and still delivers the fun driving experience you'd expect from a V8 Mustang. If you like to stand out without being obvious about it, this subtle silver GT is a great way to go. Call today!