1965 Ford Mustang Convertible
Registration no. KYY 498C
Chassis no. 5F08C291145

Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupé part way through the 1964 season, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard. Brainchild of the late Lee Iacocca, the Mustang is one of the most remarkable automotive success stories of modern times and arguably the pinnacle of his long career with Ford. Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of '64. This remarkable debut was followed by a staggering 524,791 sales in 1965, earning Ford a fortune. The secret of the Mustang's success was a broad appeal that extended beyond the target market thanks to a great value-for-money package combining sporty looks, decent economy and brisk performance.

Dating from the first year of production, this Ford Mustang Convertible was registered on 27th August 1965 to a Mr Ronald D Cichocki of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The car was specified with an automatic gearbox and the larger 289ci (4.7-litre) V8 engine. The original Registered Owner's Manual and a period brochure come with the car together with a comprehensive history file detailing all recent work and expenditure.

In 2008 the car was imported into the UK by Bill Sheppard Mustang and restored to a very high standard. The interior remains in original condition, while the exterior colour was changed to a Candy Apple Red as an alternative to the original solid red. Purchased by the current owner in 2015, the car has undergone further sympathetic improvement to make it more useable in modern-day traffic without compromising the originality or making it ineligible for historic events. In addition to cosmetic improvements the following work has been carried out:

Addition of 'period look' inertia-reel seatbelts to front and rear

Stiffening and strengthening of the chassis

Shock absorbers replaced all round

Front brakes upgraded from original drums to GT-specification discs

Addition of electronic ignition

'KYY 498C' has been very lightly used during its current ownership, participating in period events and rallies, and has always been maintained regardless of cost. Being a first-year model manufactured in 1965 this Mustang is eligible for a range of historic rallies and is welcome at the Goodwood Revival meeting where it can be parked in the forward parking area for historic vehicles.