1965 Ford Mustang

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible — 289 V8, 4-Speed, Rangoon Red

The 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is one of the most historically significant American cars ever built. Ford introduced the Mustang on April 17, 1964, and the public response was immediate and overwhelming — dealerships were mobbed, and Ford sold over 400,000 units in the first year alone. By the end of the 1965 model year, total Mustang production had surpassed 680,000 units across all body styles. The convertible, however, was always the more exclusive choice. Of the total 1965 Mustang production run, convertibles accounted for just over 101,000 units — a fraction of the hardcoupe numbers, and considerably rarer today in well-preserved condition.

This specific car checks the boxes that separate a collectible 1965 Ford Mustang convertible from an ordinary one. It carries the 289 cubic inch V8, the 4-speed manual transmission, and Rangoon Red paint — one of Ford's most distinctive and desirable color offerings from this era. Rangoon Red was a factory color available on the 1965 Mustang, a deep, warm red with just enough orange undertone to set it apart from a flat candy red. Against the black convertible top and black vinyl interior, the contrast is sharp and period-correct. The VIN on this car confirms it was built as a convertible at the San Jose, California assembly plant — the "F" in the fifth position of the VIN designating the San Jose facility, which was one of the primary Mustang production plants during the 1965 model year.

The car was restored in 2010 and has received a substantial list of mechanical replacements since then, making it a driver-quality example that has been genuinely worked on rather than simply repainted and listed.

Key details
Exterior: Rangoon Red
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
VIN / chassis: 5F08D190081

Offered by Skyway Classics, 14805 Venture Dr, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.