How it all got started

In 1965 my aunt's father bought her a brand new Ford Mustang as a sweet 16 present. In the spring of 1964 Ford unveiled their new 'Pony' car, the Mustang to a anxiously awaiting public. With 22,000 cars sold in the first day and over 4 million people descending upon Ford dealerships to see the car. 'One of the most heralded and attention-drawing cars in autodom's history' remarked Time magazine shortly after the unveiling. Given the fanfare and attention this car received, it's an easy choice to know which car to buy a 16 year old, a Mustang. 

This car was manufactured in Dearborn, MI and was the 658,913th Mustang to roll off the assembly line. It entered into inventory as No. 664 on March 19th, 1965 at Byerly Ford. This convertible was painted in Ivy Green of which was only available in 1965, came with a 289 cubic inch V-8 engine and standard black interior with bucket seats. The seat belts, were optional. 

The car was a daily driver for at least 11 years, and at some point was left to sit in a garage and slowly get covered up with things you might see in your garage, boxes, toys, basketballs and footballs. Items you know you might need one day in the future, just need a place for them until the weather warms back up. 

At the time my aunt was being Mom to my two cousins at the time, and my youngest cousin would be along shortly after. A decade old convertible with two doors and a back seat not much bigger than office chair isn't very family friendly. So a new car that had a few more doors entered service, all the while the beautiful Mustang sat, and waited. As the years go on, and as things often do, life takes priority and those thing's you'd like to do end up under the list of things you have to do. One of those things, get the Mustang running again was quite low on the list. As a busy family of 5 was in full swing with sports and school, more layers were added to the garage storage and this car mostly disappeared from view. 

Moving forward a few decades to the miserable year we call 2020, sadly we lost my aunt in February unexpectedly. As one of the matriarchs of the family we all felt rudderless to start 2020, without her to help set the course. 

A few months later, my uncle decided to sell the Mustang and my wife and I jumped at the opportunity to buy it. Not only because in recent years we had talked about buying a classic car and fixing it up, but because this car, which had sat for so long, needed to remain in the family. It was something that meant so much to my aunt and we were honored to have it. 

As of this writing we don't have a timeline for this restoration. The car needs work, this we know. But it's a labor of love to bring back this car in honor of my aunt's legacy. As my aunt who showed so much love and attention to my cousin's and my family, I will now put my love and attention into this car that meant so much to her.