Restored Numbers Match Mustang GT Convertible 4 Speed

Looking at this drop-dead gorgeous 1966 Mustang GT convertible, it’s easy to see why Ford sold a million of them in the first year. Today, they remain some of the very best hobby cars, with awesome road manners, great performance, a massive fan base, and strong aftermarket support. And whey they look like this 37,000-mile Emberglow Metallic GT convertible, it is pretty hard not to imagine yourself behind the wheel, isn’t it? Yes, you read that correctly, this authentic 1966 GT convertible has just 37,566 original miles, and its condition bears that out. It’s also loaded with options like A/C, a 4-speed, Pony interior, and a Rally-Pac. The paint and top are newer, but that’s an original interior, which speaks volumes about the car’s low mileage and excellent care over the past 45 years. The engine has been recently detailed, and there’s not a trace of rust or damage anywhere. Short of a Shelby, I’d call this one as smart a buy as an early Mustang can be.As I said, the bodywork was repainted in the original Emberglow Metallic color. If you’ve ever been to a Mustang show, you’ve undoubtedly seen row after row of Poppy Red and Wimbledon White convertibles, but I’ll wager you’ve never seen an Emberglow Metallic one. I’ve been a Mustang fan for 35 years and have never seen another one in person. As a low mileage car, the paint was done simply to refresh the aging original finish, not to repair damage or rust, and as a result, the body panels are solid steel with no filler. Using more care than the factory could spare, the body was block-sanded and straightened until it was better than new before the 2-stage urethane paint was applied. I’m guessing that the painter had his own formula for the paint, because it’s doing an awful good impersonation of 1966 enamel—not too shiny, and it doesn’t have that over-restored “wet” look that many modern base/clear paint jobs have. Instead, it looks highly authentic and will probably fool a lot of people into thinking it is original, 37,000-mile paint. The chrome and trim is in very good condition, though we believe the bumpers and taillight housings have been restored in the past. Like the paint, however, they have aged enough to perhaps pass for original to the untrained eye, and definitely help keep the car looking uniform. The new-for-1966 floating horse in the grille is sharp and crisp, while glass is original and in good condition.The standard power plant for all Mustang GTs in 1966 was the A-code 225 horsepower 289 cubic inch V8. Freshly detailed to near-show standards, the engine in this pony features COBRA cast aluminum valve covers and factory A/C, which was incredibly rare on GT convertibles. There’s a correct air cleaner up top, properly dressed in Ford corporate blue paint, while the firewall and inner fenders are a beautiful contrasting satin black. Look closer and you’ll see correct spark plug wires, power steering, and a Motorcraft battery. The original exhaust manifolds are a little crusty, further evidence that this is a low-mileage car and not a restored trailer queen. I think it’s important to note that this engine has never been opened or rebuilt, and runs as only an original engine can run. While I can’t define exactly what changes, I’m not alone when I say that a factory-built engine somehow feels different than a rebuilt one, and it only adds to this Mustang’s appeal. Taking this engine compartment to the next level, if that’s your desire, would probably involve little more than some scrubbing with a wire brush and some new hose clamps—it’s that nice.The chassis is representative of a 37,000-mile car as well. It’s undercoated, which undoubtedly helped preserve the car for more than four decades, and while it’s not show-quality, it’s astounding for an untouched chassis. The 4-speed manual is original to the car, and out back, the 9-inch rear still spins factory-installed 3.25 gears. A reproduction exhaust system with the correct trumpet tips was just installed by RK Motors. Obviously, the shock absorbers are recent, but the suspension and brakes have merely been expertly maintained and need no additional work. Out back, the original gas tank shows only traces of surface rust, again offering evidence that this is a super-clean, low-mile car. RK Motors repainted the original styled steel road wheels, and it wears recent whitewall radials.The code V Emberglow and Parchment Pony interior should be all the proof you need that this is a special car. While many Mustangs came with single-colored interiors, the two-tone setup in this car looks very upscale and luxurious. Showing very little wear and surprisingly little discoloration, even on the driver’s seat, this interior sets the benchmark for preservation. The carpet on the transmission tunnel might be a little sun faded, but it’s hard to say because it changes depending on the light. The door panels are excellent with no cracking on the armrests, and the dashboard is gorgeous. All the gauges work, including the Rally-Pac tachometer and clock mounted on the steering column. The A/C functions properly, as does the AM radio, and that wood steering wheel is hard to resist. Overhead, a new tan convertible top has been installed and fits well, and the plastic rear window has no signs of fading or cloudiness.  Open the trunk and you’ll find a correct mat and spare tire cover that look so good, I have to believe they are newer reproductions and not originals. Look at the photos again and tell me this isn’t one of the most gorgeous early Mustangs you’ve ever seen. With several hundred thousand of these running around, I can’t make any claims about scarcity, but the low mileage, unusual color combination, and extensive options list certainly make this pony a unique find. In my opinion, early Mustangs like this are still severely under-valued, and top-notch cars like this one and the K-code non-GT convertible we have on the showroom floor are only going to appreciate in the future. In the mean time, you’ll have a car that you can enjoy driving and that will really get the guys at the next MCA show talking. And there’s no denying that a clean, original car will always have an intrinsic value that is hard to translate into dollars. Forget Poppy Red and Wimbledon White—Emberglow is hot! Call today.