1966 Ford Mustang Convertable
Price - £46,995
Year - 1966
Silver Blue Iridescent
5.7-litre Stroker V8
C4 Automatic
Exceptional Documented Restoration
Few cars have achieved the enduring appeal of the original Ford Mustang. Unveiled in April 1964, it helped create an entirely new category of affordable, sporting American automobiles and became one of the defining automotive icons of the 1960s.
The 1966 Mustang represents the final year of the original body design before Ford introduced a larger, substantially revised model for 1967. Today, these early examples remain especially desirable for their timeless styling, distinctive character and unmistakable V8 soundtrack.
Supercar Group is delighted to offer this exceptional 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible, finished in Ford Silver Blue Iridescent with a white power-operated hood and a beautifully restored two-tone light blue and parchment interior.
Far more than a cosmetically refurbished example, this Mustang has undergone a comprehensive, documented ground-up restoration encompassing the body, structure, interior, electrical systems, suspension and drivetrain.
The accompanying history file documents expenditure exceeding £35,000 on parts alone, excluding the substantial labour involved, and includes an original Ford build sheet discovered during dismantling, extensive restoration invoices and photographic coverage in Mustang Round Up magazine.
Beneath its elegant, largely period-correct appearance sits a professionally built, approximately 5.7-litre stroker V8, complemented by a rebuilt C4 automatic gearbox, uprated suspension and improved braking.
Adding another interesting dimension to its history, the Mustang was also used during promotional activity for Little Mix's Glory Days campaign, with supporting photographs retained in the history file.
Combining extensive restoration, thoughtful mechanical improvements, unusual specification and documented provenance, this is a particularly appealing example of the original Mustang Convertible.
This vehicle is offered for sale by Supercar Group Ltd as a disclosed selling agent on behalf of its owner, who is the contractual seller.
History and provenance
Completed at Ford's Metuchen Assembly Plant in New Jersey on 24 March 1966, this Mustang's early history remains largely undocumented. However, the accompanying history file includes insurance records spanning 2004 to 2008, indicating that the car was most recently registered in New York City to a Mr Groh prior to its importation into the United Kingdom in June 2008. Also retained is a New York registration sticker displaying the personalised registration "EDSPONY", offering a charming period detail from the car's life in the United States. The accompanying paperwork further confirms that all applicable import duties and VAT were settled upon its arrival in the UK.
The car was purchased by a Mr Heath in September 2008 specifically for a full restoration. What followed was a genuine ground-up rebuild, covered by Mustang Round Up magazine, in which virtually every element of the car was stripped, assessed, restored, rebuilt or replaced as required.
The Mustang returned to the road in June 2012. According to the accompanying history, it has since covered approximately 11,271 miles, primarily during the summer months, and has been dry stored when not in use.
Comprehensive Bare-metal body restoration
The body was completely dismantled and stripped back to bare metal. This was considerable structural restoration rather than a superficial cosmetic refurbishment. All corrosion was cut out and replaced with new metal, with replacement panels sourced predominantly from National Parts Depot in Florida.
The documented panel work included both doors, the left-hand rear quarter panel, left-hand front wing, complete rocker and sill sections, floors, seat-support structure, convertible strengthening sections, boot floor, outer rear wheel housings and front cowl, together with numerous smaller repair sections. The original Ford bonnet was retained.
Included in the accompanying history file are copies of Mustang Round Up magazine containing an extensive photographic feature documenting the vehicle's body restoration. The photographs provide a detailed visual record of the work undertaken, offering a compelling testament to the care, craftsmanship and attention to detail invested in the restoration and represents a valuable addition to the vehicle's provenance.
Once the metalwork had been completed, the shell was comprehensively protected. Dinitrol cavity wax was injected into the internal sections, followed by etch primer, zinc-rich primer and stone-chip protection. The underside was then refinished in the correct-style red oxide colour, reflecting the original factory appearance.
The quality of the restoration remains clearly evident beneath the car. The floors, chassis sections and essential convertible reinforcement structures present exceptionally well and remain visible beneath the red oxide finish rather than being hidden under a heavy layer of modern black underseal. There are minor marks and signs of careful use, as one would expect from a car that has been driven since restoration, but the underside remains extremely solid, clean and reassuring. The exterior was professionally refinished by S&P Paintshop during an extensive six-week bare-metal repaint. It was returned to Ford Silver Blue Iridescent, paint code Y, an especially elegant colour that perfectly complements the Mustang’s shape and chrome detailing. The finished paintwork was subsequently protected with Autoglym High Definition Wax. Today, the bodywork continues to display excellent depth and gloss, with very strong panel presentation and an unusually attractive overall colour combination.
Professionally built stroker V8
At the heart of the car is a substantially upgraded Ford small-block V8 based on a 302 Windsor block. The engine was blueprinted and built in 2016 and is described in the accompanying documentation as approximately 351 cubic inches, or 5.7 litres.
The build centres around an Eagle 347 stroker rotating assembly. The block was fully cleaned and prepared, with the accompanying engine description recording a 4.060-inch bore and the necessary machining to provide clearance for the stroker crankshaft. The rotating assembly was professionally balanced together with the pistons, crankshaft damper and flexplate.
Internally, the engine uses Keith Black pistons and rings, while the top end is equipped with Edelbrock E-Street aluminium cylinder heads and an Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminium inlet manifold. Fuelling is provided by an Edelbrock four-barrel carburettor, while Hooker three-inch headers allow the engine to breathe effectively and deliver the unmistakable sound expected of a high-output American V8.
A high-performance Comp Cams camshaft was selected by Comp Cams with reference to the complete engine specification, transmission and intended road use. The valvetrain also incorporates Comp Cams roller rockers and hardened Comp Cams pushrods.
Further engine specification includes a competition-style crankshaft damper, new timing chain, alloy Mustang rocker covers, Mallory high-performance distributor and a high-output Melling oil pump with hardened drive.
Cooling has been substantially improved through the installation of a high-specification, American-built three-core aluminium radiator, fitted in 2018.
The engine was built to a broadly similar specification to an Edelbrock crate-engine package quoted at approximately 410bhp. No independent dynamometer figure is being claimed, but the component specification is extensive and the engine delivers the strong torque, immediate response and distinctive V8 soundtrack expected of a properly constructed stroker motor. Having covered approximately only 7,426 miles since, the engine remains in fine health and extremely low mileage.
Rebuilt C4 automatic transmission and rear axle
Power is transmitted through a rebuilt Ford C4 automatic gearbox. The transmission was comprehensively overhauled and fitted with an uprated valve body, designed to provide firmer and slightly higher-rpm shifts between first and second and between second and third gears.
The rebuild also included new tailhousing bushes and seals. The propshaft was refurbished and fitted with new universal joints.
The rear axle was completely rebuilt using new brake components, bearings and seals. Its 2.79:1 differential was rebuilt by Hauser Racing. This relatively relaxed final-drive ratio complements the high-torque stroker engine and makes the car particularly pleasant at cruising speeds, rather than leaving it excessively busy on longer journeys.
Suspension, steering and brakes
The suspension and running gear were comprehensively rebuilt using new parts wherever available. The front brakes were converted to original-specification disc brakes, providing a significant improvement in confidence and stopping ability while retaining an appropriate period appearance.
The suspension was fitted with polyurethane bushes throughout, with the exception of the front tie-rod-to-chassis connection, where conventional components were retained following safety advice within the Mustang community.
New, lower and firmer GT-specification front springs were installed, together with uprated front and rear anti-roll bars. New rear leaf springs were also fitted. The result is a Mustang that feels more controlled and composed than a standard car while preserving the ride and character appropriate to a 1960s convertible.
The car sits on Scott Drake GT-style chrome wheels fitted with period-style whitewall tyres. These suit the car particularly well, adding visual presence without appearing excessively modern or out of keeping with the original design.
Factory power-operated convertible hood
The Mustang retains its factory-fitted hydraulic and electrically operated power hood.
The mechanism was comprehensively refurbished with new wiring, hydraulic hoses and associated components. The soft top itself was completely replaced, including new fabric, rear window, seals and running parts, and was professionally installed by Don Hoods of Erdington.
The hood operates and latches correctly and is accompanied by matching white and blue tonneau covers, allowing the car’s appearance to be tailored depending on preference and use.
Comprehensive electrical restoration
The electrical system was completely renewed using reproduction original-style Ford wiring looms. This is an important distinction, as the car has not been rewired using a generic universal or aftermarket harness.
The original instruments were rebuilt and installed into a replacement bezel. For improved reliability and safety, the original fuse box was replaced with a modern blade-type fuse panel.
Switches, bezels and related fittings were replaced using Scott Drake components manufactured in the United States, ensuring that the cockpit retains an appropriate factory-style appearance.
Distinctive Bench-Seat Pony-Style Interior
The interior is one of this Mustang's most appealing features, having been comprehensively retrimmed in an elegant combination of light blue and parchment using TMI Deluxe Pony-style upholstery and components.
Particularly unusual is the full-width front bench seat, an uncommon feature of early Mustang Convertibles. Published production figures identify approximately 3,190 bench-seat convertibles for 1966, making this a distinctive alternative to the more familiar individual front seats.
The bench-seat arrangement has been retained and carefully refurbished, while the restored interior incorporates the embossed running-horse detailing and coordinated finishes associated with the desirable Pony interior style.
The result is a beautifully presented cabin combining unusual early-Mustang character with high-quality restoration workmanship.
Brightwork and exterior detailing
The car’s brightwork was replaced with concours-specification components wherever required and remains in excellent condition.
The extensive replacement list included the bonnet trim, front and rear bumpers, exterior mirrors, door handles, convertible hockey-stick mouldings, windscreen trim, interior handles and brightwork, engine-bay chrome, front and rear grille and lighting components, together with the exhaust finishing rings.
The level of attention in these smaller details plays a significant role in the way the car presents, and reinforce the fact that this was a comprehensive restoration rather than simply a repaint and retrim.
Extensive service and restoration history
The Mustang is accompanied by an unusually substantial history file documenting the restoration, mechanical upgrades and continuing ownership.
The file contains invoices and receipts for parts and specialist work completed in the United Kingdom, together with extensive documentation for components imported from suppliers in the United States. These include records relating to the stroker engine components, Edelbrock cylinder heads and induction equipment, body panels, interior trim, electrical components, suspension parts and numerous concours-quality finishing details.
The documentation provides valuable evidence of both the scale and quality of the work undertaken and allows the next owner to understand exactly how the car was constructed.
There is simply too much supporting paperwork and restoration detail to reproduce fully within a single advertisement. The file should be viewed alongside the car to fully appreciate the time, specialist knowledge and investment involved.
Little Mix Glory Days promotional history
Adding a memorable and highly unusual chapter to the Mustang’s history, the car was selected for use by Little Mix during promotional activity for their Glory Days campaign, and appeared with the group as part of the promotion. Photographic evidence showing the band alongside the car is retained within the history file and is available online. Its elegant Silver Blue finish, white convertible hood and unmistakable 1960s styling made it an ideal promotional vehicle. This documented celebrity connection gives the Mustang an additional level of provenance beyond its already impressive restoration and mechanical history. While the car’s primary appeal remains its exceptional condition, specification and extensive documentation, its association with one of Britain’s most successful pop groups provides a distinctive and interesting talking point.
Event and wedding history
The car has also previously been used at premium paid events and has developed an established association with the wedding and special-event market. This may offer an additional opportunity for a future owner wishing to use the car commercially, although it is equally well suited to private enjoyment, shows, touring and summer motoring.