1966 Ford Mustang Convertible

HIGHLIGHTS:

• 289 CID V-8 engine with 4-barrel carburetor
• C-4 three-speed automatic transmission (code 6) and 2.80 gearing (code 6)
• Power steering
• Candy Apple Red (code T) exterior with black, power-folding vinyl top
• Black vinyl interior (code 26)
• New carpet, paint, brakes, and power-folding top

As it marks its 60th Anniversary in 2024, Ford’s Mustang has proven itself to be the lone survivor of the car category it created in 1964 – the pony car class.

This gorgeous example was made in Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan factory (VIN code F) on July 12, 1966. It was then shipped to the St. Louis, Missouri sales district for delivery.

Finished in Candy Apple Red (code T), this Mustang’s paint and trim are in overall excellent order. The bodywork is straight and solid, while the engine bay is extremely tidy. The battery appears new, and the chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body. The new black, power-folding vinyl top looks great. Other new parts include carpet, paint, and brakes.

This pony rolls on Mastercraft Avenger GT radials, size 215/70R14 in front and 255/70R14 in back. Each tire is mounted to a factory rally wheel. The tires are in very good order, and the wheels look great.

Under the hood is a 289 CID V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, breathing through an upgraded aluminum intake and dual exhausts. The motor is backed by Ford’s XP three-speed automatic transmission (code 6) and a 2.80:1 rear end (code 6). Driver convenience features include factory power steering.

Inside, the car’s black vinyl interior (code 26) is in fine form. The front bucket seats and rear bench look fabulous, as does the matching carpet. A three-spoke steering wheel faces the driver. The black dashboard and inner door panels look great, as does the floor-mounted shifter. A factory AM radio completes the interior.

The 1966 Mustang debuted with moderate trim changes, including a new grille, side ornamentation, wheel covers, and gas cap. Ford’s new C4 “Cruise-O-Matic” three-speed automatic transmission became available for the 225-horsepower version of the 289 CID V-8.

Many new paint and interior color options were available, as well as an AM/eight-track sound system and one of the first AM/FM mono automobile radios. The 1966 model year cars discontinued the Falcon instrument cluster, while the previously optional round gauges and padded sun visors became standard equipment. The Mustang would become the best-selling convertible in 1966, with 72,119 sold, beating the number two Impala by almost 2:1.

The 1965 and 1966 Mustangs are differentiated by variations in the exterior, despite the similar design. These variations include the cove molding on the rear quarter panels behind the doors. From August 1964 production, the molding was a single vertical piece of chrome, while for 1966 models, the molding was smaller in height and had three horizontal bars extending forward from the design, resembling an “E.” The front intake grilles and ornaments were also different. The 1965 front grille used a “honeycomb” pattern, while the 1966 version was a “slotted” style.

While both model years used the “Horse and Corral” emblem on the grille, the 1965s had four bars extending from each side of the corral, while these bars were removed for the 1966s.

Convertible competition to this Mustang was sparse in 1966 – Plymouth’s Barracuda was the only other pony car made that year, but it wouldn’t offer a drop-top model until 1967, along with stiff competition from Chevrolet’s Camaro, Mercury’s Cougar, and Pontiac’s Firebird.

VIN: 6F08C710114