1965 Ford Mustang GT350 Fastback Tribute | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

The Ford Mustang was the brainchild of Lee Iacocca and was branded as the first 'Pony Car' and was born out of a need to compete with the flood of European sports cars coming into the USA in the sixties. The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9th 1964 and was introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17th 1964. The Mustang was only available as a hardtop coupé and convertible until September 1964, it was the fastback that drew the interest of Carroll Shelby which extended the iconic reach of the Ford Mustang and firmly put it into the category of motoring legend. The Mustang sold over one million units in its first 18 months on the market and became a popular car to customise, from engine upgrades to racing stripes, no two Mustangs are often found the same. Ford kept the Mustang relatively cheap with a list price of $2,368, making the car extremely popular.

Presented in striking Ford Oxford White with iconic Guardsman Blue racing stripes extending from the bonnet to the rear boot lid, this superb Mustang was imported from the USA in 2014 and offers an excellent blend of classic American muscle and carefully considered upgrades. The black interior remains in very good condition throughout, including the headlining, an area that can often detract from the overall presentation of cars of this era. In 2023, the original engine was replaced with a professionally refurbished 4.7-litre V8, paired with a three-speed automatic transmission that was also serviced at the same time. Under current ownership, significant investment has been made to enhance the car's drivability and usability. In 2018, approximately £7,000 was spent with Mustang Workshop of Hook, Hampshire, on a programme of mechanical improvements. These included the installation of power rack-and-pinion steering, a 1967-style kick-down mechanism, power brake booster, retro-style sound system with Bluetooth capability, and LED front and rear lighting, providing improved safety and visibility for modern road use to name few (invoices available in history file) The accompanying history file contains documentation detailing restoration work undertaken prior to the car's export from the USA. This included a comprehensive bare-metal respray, with the body shell being sandblasted and primed before refinishing in its current eye-catching colour scheme. A highly usable and well-sorted classic Mustang, this example benefits from subtle upgrades that enhance the driving experience while preserving the character and unmistakable soundtrack expected from an American V8 muscle car. Combining striking looks with strong performance, it represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented tribute with real road presence. Consigned by James Good