1966 Ford Mustang

Mustang # 6F07C741326 left Dearborn in 1966 as a two-door hardtop, its VIN recording the 289 cu in V8 as factory fitment. The car has since been through a complete restoration by Coffey’s Hot Rod & Custom of Kingston, Massachusetts, and the restraint of that build is compelling. A first-generation Mustang in typical period trim asks a great deal of its owner: a carburetor to coax alive, drum brakes to plan around, no overdrive for the highway, steering that is heavy at parking speeds. Coffey’s answered each of those, and then stopped, preserving the genuine character of an early Mustang.

Where so many builds reach for a modern crate V8, Coffey’s chose a correct 289, and brought it up to date around the edges: Holley Sniper self-learning fuel injection in place of the carburetor, a full MSD ignition, a Cold Case aluminum radiator with electric fans, and Bob Drake ceramic headers into an SVO stainless X-pipe. Behind it sits a Tremec Super-Duty T-5 five speed, with a McLeod Stage 2 clutch and a tall overdrive fifth, driving a Quick Performance Ford 9-inch rear axle with a limited slip differential. Wilwood 12-inch discs now sit at every corner, with six-piston calipers in front and four at the rear, and power steering takes the effort out of a parking lot.

Beneath the deep gray metallic paint, every outer panel is new metal, from the quarters, doors, and fenders to the hood, deck lid, valances, and tail pan, the gaps adjusted to fit and the whole car refinished in PPG and 3M materials. The paint carries a clean, unbroken reflection down each flank, the gaps run even, and on its chrome 17-inch US Mags the coupe sits low and square, the wheels filling the arches.

Inside, black pleated buckets face a wood-rimmed steering wheel with drilled spokes and the running-horse horn button, set before New Vintage USA gauges in the chrome-rimmed binnacle.

The chrome wheels, the Wilwood calipers behind them, and the Ford Racing script on the valve covers declare the car’s intentions; the fuel injection and the fifth gear, along with the excellent Wilwood brakes, follow through. Its builder calls it one of a kind, and it has covered just 498 miles since completion. For anyone who wants a ’66 Mustang to drive on a Sunday morning or take on a long tour, rather than one to worry over, this is exactly the right car.

Now available via AVI Gallery in Newton, Massachusetts and with worldwide shipping assistance available.