1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 Fastback with its original 289, priced well under the market

Why we picked it

Why we picked it: Fastbacks are the Mustang body everyone wants, and clean ones rarely sit under $40,000 any more. This Dearborn-built 1965 2+2 has a 289 two-barrel (C-code) V8 and a C4 automatic. The seller says the engine and floor pans are original and the car is rust-free. They also say it recently got new fuel lines, a new tank, a rebuilt carburetor and a full brake service. It is Dark Green with an Ivy Gold vinyl interior, and the trim tag shows a September 1964 build for the Atlanta sales district.

At $30,000 it is listed well below the $41,000 to $57,000 that unmodified 1965 fastbacks have brought at recent auctions. The listing is thin, though. Mileage is shown as unknown and the title status is not stated, so this is a car to inspect in person or have checked by a third party before you send money.

The value check

When we found it, the seller was asking $30,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $38,000–$52,000, so the middle of the market is about $45,000. That put this car 33% under.

Original-style 1965 fastbacks have sold for $41,000 to $57,200 at Hagerty and Mecum in Sept-Oct 2026, and even modified C-code driver fastbacks brought $32,500 to $41,800. A mid-point of about $45,000 puts this $30,000 asking price roughly 33% under.

Where the numbers come from:

• Classic.com 1965-66 Mustang fastback sold results
• 1965 fastback sold $41,000 at Hagerty, Oct 2026
• 1965 fastback automatic sold $51,700 at Mecum, Sep 2026

What to check

• Title status and mileage are not stated: get a copy of the title and confirm the VIN on the door tag and the inner fender before anything else.
• Look closely at the floor pans, torque boxes, cowl vents (they rust out and leak onto the floor), lower quarters and the trunk drop-offs.
• The seller says the engine is original. Check the block casting date against the September 1964 build date.
• The description gives few details on the paint. Ask for close-up photos or an inspection to check for filler and fresh paint over rust.
• The seller offers walk-around, cold-start and running videos on request. Ask for them.

Making it drive like new

A good base for a mild pro-touring build that keeps the car's character. Front disc brakes, a Shelby-style drop with a modern coilover or a Total Control front end, subframe connectors and a 5-speed or AOD swap would make it a better highway car. The 289 can stay and be refreshed, or you can step up to a 347 stroker in the same block.

6 builders make a complete chassis for the 1964½–70 Mustang. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.

How it ended

The listing ended on Oct 23, 2026 with the car at $30,000. We don't know yet whether it sold.