Topic: 1964 Pre-Production Mustang?

[markb0729]

Check out the link below.  So what do you folks think?  Is this a legitimate preproduction Mustang?  I have my doubts but I could be wrong. 

http://gatewayclassiccars.com/displaycar?stock=5112&location=STL

[Skyway65]

That VIN tag sure looks real--has just the right patina.  The 5C date code and DSO both check out.  I vote for "real."

[CharlesTurner]

Looks legit to me also.  Would be cool to see it up close to look for some of the obscure details.

[67gtasanjose]

Looks legit to me also.  Would be cool to see it up close to look for some of the obscure details.

Make them an offer they cannot refuse and you can look all you want 

IMO, or for my interests, these are what I consider major turn-offs:

1.) 1980's restoration~ too many things would be done incorrectly seemingly regardless how detailed the restorer is or was. Too many things were unknown in this era including:
2.) Panel replacements including floors and quarter panels. Refer to turn-off #1 for "why".
3.) 260 or 289? Two different VIN stampings?  Is this possible? (I suppose, but vehicle history would help)
4.) Majority if not all original upholstery replaced, again~1980's quality repro parts.

Makes for a nice "Cruiser" car and I imagine reasonably priced. In my opinion, it could stand a good "freshening up" but would be a project to re-do as Concours and yet make it a cost effective project. (considering it is a coupe)

It would be nice to see somebody take it on as a labor of love and to get it exceptionally nice though, considering the pre-prod. low number.

...All of this is just my opinion and for my (lack of disposable) money, not an exceptional value.

[jwc66k]

Let me raise a red flag - this VIN is listed in the Mustang Production Guide, Vol 1, and the door data tag shown there is "slightly" different:
Them: 65A M 85 05C 89 1 6
Guide: 65A M 26 05C 89 6 6
Interior code 85 is "red with red appointments" and code 26 is "black".
The engine is a 260 2V which would have the standard production rear axle code of 6, 2.80:1, not 3.00:1 (it's possible).
Someone is not being honest.
Jim 

[BlueK]

They have had this car for a couple years. I think the original asking price was close to $80k.  I think all the red flags that have been raised are issues particularly the botched 1980s restoration.  Looks like it was restored as a 64 1/2 and not a hand built pre production car.  The data door tag is a good catch.  Assuming it's a real pre production car it's going to take a lot of money to make the car right.  I had additional pics of the car sent to me and it's much rougher than the pics on the website make it out to be.   I made what I thought was a fair offer for the car considering the shape it's in and what it would take to make it correct again, the seller was willing to come down a little bit but not enough to make it interesting.   The people at Gateway were very professional and easy to deal with.  Eric

[DM_1964]

Let me raise a red flag - this VIN is listed in the Mustang Production Guide, Vol 1, and the door data tag shown there is "slightly" different:
Them: 65A M 85 05C 89 1 6
Guide: 65A M 26 05C 89 6 6
Interior code 85 is "red with red appointments" and code 26 is "black".
The engine is a 260 2V which would have the standard production rear axle code of 6, 2.80:1, not 3.00:1 (it's possible).
Someone is not being honest.
Jim

Great investigation work there Jim,
I thought it was weird seeing a black dash pad on an all red interior amongst some other uncertainties that stand out...

[john_simms]

I've seen this car in person.  It's pretty rough.

[Skyway65]

Great investigation work there Jim,
I thought it was weird seeing a black dash pad on an all red interior amongst some other uncertainties that stand out...

Perhaps the interior color was changed--but there are few factory photos of early Mustangs with red interiors and black dash pads. 

http://themustangsource.com/timeline/64-66/64/1122whitemustconv.jpg

http://themustangsource.com/timeline/64-66/64/Interior.jpg

[DM_1964]

Perhaps the interior color was changed--but there are few factory photos of early Mustangs with red interiors and black dash pads. 

http://themustangsource.com/timeline/64-66/64/1122whitemustconv.jpg

http://themustangsource.com/timeline/64-66/64/Interior.jpg

Interesting to see white visors above a black dash and red interior in the 2nd link.
My friends GT convertible had a black dash and black carpet with parchment but all red with just a black dash just looks odd but factory...

[drummingrocks]

I like the Blue-White-Red emblem on the PS fender.   

And is it just me, or is something obviously "off" about the dash pad?  It may be the angle of the photo, but it looks like the material extends waaaaay too far out towards the passengers.  It almost looks like the pad is made wrong.

[CharlesTurner]

Looks like the LH fender has been replaced with a later service piece (triangle dimples showing).

Appears there is more to the story here.

[Skyway65]

Engine block appears to be silver/gray which is consistent with some other prototype/pre-production cars. Wonder if it was painted during the restoration process in the'80's?

[Skyway65]

Here is another early factory photo that shows, what appears to a black dash pad on a red (?) convertible.