Basic information and history

The Ford Mustang was presented to the world on 17 April 1964 at the World's Fair in New York and immediately became a success that created an entirely new segment, the pony car. The cars built during the first months, before the regular 1965 model year took over, are usually referred to among enthusiasts as 1964 1/2. These early examples differ in several respects from the later cars, including the direct-current generator and the engine range, where the 260 cubic inch V8 with 164 horsepower was the only eight-cylinder engine before the 289 took over. It is precisely these details that make the early cars especially sought after among collectors.

This example is a late-produced Ford Mustang Cabriolet 1964 1/2, equipped with the 260 cubic inch V8 engine producing 164 horsepower, mated to a manual three-speed gearbox of the Borg Warner T-10 type. The car is imported from the USA and has an unusually well-documented history. It was bought new by Dorris Stalker in Montana when she was 42 years old, and she then kept the car for a full 53 years. The Mustang followed her through moves to Wyoming, Idaho and California. Between 1990 and 1991 she had the car restored, which among other things included a repaint in the original colour. In 2017, when Dorris had turned 95, the car was sold to Sweden, something she, according to the seller, found exotic.

The car is painted in the somewhat unusual original colour Skylight Blue, combined with white vinyl interior and a white vinyl soft top. The odometer reads 32,850 kilometres, but the seller cannot guarantee that it is correct. The car has had a total of three owners, and it is stated to be in original condition. There are no loans on the vehicle and no deductible VAT.

Equipment and options

• 260 cubic inch V8 engine, 164 hp
• Manual three-speed gearbox, Borg Warner T-10
• Manually operated soft top in white vinyl
• White vinyl interior
• Retro-style radio
• Manual steering and manual brakes
• Steel wheels with original hubcaps
• 195/75R14 tyres with whitewall stripe

According to the seller, the car was delivered without options and is described as being in original condition. The only major work mentioned is the restoration carried out in 1990 to 1991 by the first owner, including a repaint in the original colour Skylight Blue.

Condition

The body and paint are, according to the seller, in good condition. The repaint in Skylight Blue, done nearly 30 years ago, is stated to still be in very fine condition, and the chrome details are described as being in very good condition. The glass is stated to be in good condition. The white vinyl soft top is stated to be in good condition and, together with the light blue paint, forms a colour combination that the seller highlights as very tasteful.

The white vinyl interior is described as being in very fine condition. Both the dashboard and headliner are stated to be in good condition, and all the seatbelts function. The retro-style radio and other electrical equipment function as they should, according to the seller, and the dashboard is free of warning lights.

The car rolls on steel wheels with original hubcaps, fitted with tyres in the dimension 195/75R14 with a whitewall stripe. The tyres have approximately 8 millimetres of tread depth, and the tyres and wheels are stated to be in good condition.

Mechanically, the engine, gearbox and brakes are described as being in good condition. The engine starts and runs faultlessly according to the seller, the clutch works and the gearbox shifts without issue. The car is stated to perform well both on the road and in the drivetrain, and it is ready to drive as it stands. The vehicle has passed inspection, most recently carried out in 2018.

Service history

According to the seller, the car is not fully serviced, but there are receipts and documentation substantiating the service history that does exist. The history also includes the restoration carried out between 1990 and 1991 by the first owner, including the repaint. The car was last inspected in 2018.

Summary

This Ford Mustang Cabriolet 1964 1/2 is an early example with the rarer 260 cubic inch V8 and manual Borg Warner T-10 gearbox, imported from the USA in 2017 after 53 years with its first owner. The combination of the original colour Skylight Blue, white vinyl interior and white soft top gives the car a look that, according to the seller, stands out. With documented history, original condition and consistently good condition of body, interior and mechanics, this is a Mustang for those who value an early car with a vivid background.