
1966 Ford Mustang Fastback 2+2
While this was not the car I owned back in the mid 80's, it is a close approximation. I had always loved the look of the early Ford Mustangs, but usually the coupe models. I liked the Fastbacks as well once I saw one, so I was hooked.
The paint on mine was the same color as in the photo, but oxidized; it had different, brushed aluminum wheels; and it did not have roll bars installed inside. It was a 289 V8 with a 4-speed manual transmission.
It had a Chevy transmission installed when I bought it, so when it went bad one summer at my local grocery store, I had to drive home in reverse. Luckily it was less than two miles to get home. Bought a used 4-speed Ford T-10 Borg Warner manual transmission at a local Mustang junkyard and had it rebuilt using my summer job money.
The following summer the engine blew out, so I had it rebuilt too. The cylinders were bored .060 over, which took it closer to a 302 V8. Had the same job again and it paid well, so money wasn't an issue. It was already a quick car, but even better after the rebuild and very fun to drive. Not to mention, it had the low rumble of a V8 I've always loved.
I kept buying parts along the way to restore it, but I didn't install them as I went along, I wanted to put them all on at once after I had it painted. Unfortunately, I totaled the car in 1987 and never got the chance. By the time I started selling the brand new replacement parts, some had gone up in value by quite a bit and it was fortunate I hadn't put them on the car. |