This 1966 Mustang looks like it spent decades outdoors after being transformed into a Shelby clone, and now needs saving.
Say what you want about this 1966 Ford Mustang fastback, but its current condition is hard to ignore. After being converted into a Shelby clone in the 1970s, the car somehow ended up abandoned in a corner of its owner's yard. Now, it's being offered online, with the seller saying it's best suited for parts.
Ford introduced the redesigned 1966 Mustang to the American market on October 1, 1965.
By then, the Mustang had firmly established itself as one of America's most popular cars. Ford sold more than 607,500 Mustangs to American buyers during the 1966 model year, accounting for 7.1% of the entire U.S. car market.
That makes the fate of this particular fastback especially unfortunate. It may already be too far gone, as the seller doesn't believe it should be restored and instead recommends using it for parts.
Still, cars in similar—or even worse—condition have found second lives. If the necessary parts can be sourced, this Mustang could potentially become an ambitious father-and-son project. The photos, however, make one thing clear: the car has serious problems throughout.
“I’m not able to open the hood any farther without damaging it,” the seller explains, because the hinges are “stuck solid.”
There is also plenty of rust. According to the seller, “the car is very rust and best used for parts or donor.”
The Shelby conversion does give the Mustang some desirable equipment. Among the parts still on the car are disc brakes, what appear to be original wheels and several Shelby-related components, including the oil pan.
“At best, this is a parts car, as it’s extremely rough,” the seller insists.
Based on the photos, that's a fair assessment. But there's another problem: despite its condition, the Mustang isn't being offered cheaply. The Shelby-related parts and other components still have value, making the car more expensive than its appearance might suggest.
The owner is asking $15,000, although an option to make an offer is also available on eBay. The listing has already attracted plenty of attention, with 148 people adding the Mustang to their watchlists.
For whoever decides to take on the project, the car is located in Bohemia, New York.