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1965 Mustang Restoration: Introduction and Initial Assessment Restoration begins on the quintessential American pony car — the 1965 Mustang Fastback. From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-501

	The project vehicle: a 1965 Mustang fastback, BEFORE restoration begins

This installment of Classic Car Restoration represents the start of a multi-part project for the complete restoration of a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback.

In this first phase, Classic Car Restoration host Steve Magnante, along with Mustang restoration expert Allen Shepley of Mustang Central, perform an initial assessment, plan out the restoration, take a look at the history of the Ford Mustang, and then begin work with some disassembly for better access to the parts being refurbished.

The actual restoration begins with an upgrade of this car's stock brake master-cylinder to a dual-reservoir master cylinder.

First up, and before work even begins on disassembly, Steve and Allen inspect our project car to get a basic idea about what parts will need to be replaced, upgraded or repaired.

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Like many of the automobiles brought "back to life" on Classic Car Restoration, this one was found in storage. The owner, a baby-boomer who originally intended to restore the car to one like he drove as a teenager, had done some previous work on it. Some of the repairs were good; some will require some re-working for a full and faithful restoration.

Mustang restoration specialist Allen Shepley, of Mustang Central.

Steve and Allen inspect the '65 Mustang project car for signs of rust and damage.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Steve and Allen inspect the car and make the following discoveries:

• Steve characterizes the condition of the Mustang as fairly solid, without an inordinate amount of rust for a vehicle of this age. The frame rails, one of the most important structural elements, are in good condition. The doors and lower quarter-panels, both rust-prone areas on these cars, are in relatively good condition.

• The trunk is in fairly good shape as well, with some moisture evident, but without signs of severe rust (figure A). A new trunk liner will likely be needed. Careful attention is paid to the lower and side portions of the trunk where water tends to collect.

• Some spare parts, including a 289 intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor, are found in the trunk. Those parts are in fairly good shape, and can be sold on internet auctions to generate cash that can be channeled into the restoration. Some of the trunk's seals are missing and there is some rust evident on the underside of the trunk lid (figure B).

• The gas cap is rusted and will need to be replaced.
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Careful inspection at the front end indicates a possible front-end collision in this car's history. Any problems with that will be addressed later in the project.

• The interior is in pretty rough shape (figure C). Seats will need new covering and likely new foam.

• The dash is missing the dash-pad and there is some pitting in the chrome (figure D).

• The headliner is missing, as well as the bows. The original bows for the fastback can be a difficult part to find, but they can occasionally be found on internet auctions, at swap meets or through Mustang enthusiast clubs. Some of the interior trim is missing as well.

• Speaker holes have been cut in the interior quarter panels. Those panels can possibly be repaired, although replacement panels can be salvaged from other vehicles, or reproductions may bea available through aftermarket reproduction-parts companies.

• The single original front speaker is missing, although the original radio is still present. Frequently on vehicles of this vintage, original radios have been replaced by more recent stereo receivers, tape players, CD players, etc. For a full and authentic restoration, original radios can be a hard part to come by.
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• The steering wheel is cracked, and the dash instrument bezel will need to be replaced (figure E). We know this car has a four-speed transmission, but it has a three-speed shifter ball. That'll have to be replaced.

• As might be expected, the carpet is worn and will need replacing (figure F).

As far as the engine restoration, an immediate project is to upgrade the single master brake cylinder to a dual cylinder. This helps bring the vehicle up to modern safety standards. "And then we can dress up the engine," says Allen. "We can put chrome valve covers, change carburetors, breathers, chrome water pumps —just dress it up, make it look pretty."

	Figure G
	Figure H

VIN Tag Inspection

Finally, another critical point in the initial inspection is the VIN (vehicle identification number) found on the VIN tag located on the door panel (figure G).

The VIN number on our project car is: 5R09T168382.

• The "5" represents the year of manufacture, 1965.
  
• The "R" represents the San Jose assembly plan.
  
• The "09" signifies the 2-door fastback body style.
  
• The "T" is for the original 6-cylinder 200 cubic inch engine.
  

The VIN number on the door frame should also match the number stamped under the hood, which it does in our case (figure H).

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Classic Car Restoration 500 series: 1965 Mustang

Mustang Club of America
www.mustang.org

Mustang Central
vintage Mustang parts
www.mustangcentral.com

Motorbooks Publishing
www.motorbooks.com

Class-Tech-Cars
www.class-tech-cars.com

Holley Performance Products
www.holley.com

Flowmaster Exhaust Products
www.flowmastermufflers.com

Genuine Hot Rod Hardware
www.genuinehotrod.com

Revelation Racing Supply
www.rrs-online.com

National Parts Depot
www.npdlink.com

Classic Auto Air
www.classicautoair.com

Pertronix Performance Products
www.pertronix.com

Stainless Steel Brake Corp.
www.ssbrakes.com

Painless Performance Products
www.painlessperformance.com

Loctite Products
www.henkel.com

Paintucation
www.paintucation.com

Dupli-Color Paints
www.duplicolor.com

Norton Abrasives
www.nortonabrasives.com

Dremel Tools
www.dremel.com

Classic High Performance Audio
Product: audio equipment

Direct Source
www.the-direct-source.com
Product: stereo electronic equipment

Dakota Digital Instruments
www.dakotadigital.com
Product: digital dashboard

Mustang Project
www.mustangproject.com
Product: LED sequential taillight system