1966 Mustang Data

For the very first time; American’s could literally «build» the car of their dreams, as most American car Manufacturer’s now offered ton’s of ‘extra’s’ or ‘options’ when ordering a new car. But, it now believed the incredible success of Ford’s Mustang was not only due to the marketing by Lee Iaccooa but, to the fact the consumer could actually ‘build’ him, or herself, a custom car by choosing from over 70 options offered for the 1966 Mustang! Many folks did not realize Ford really meant the advertising term» The Car that was designed to be designed by YOU». After paying as little as $2368 FOB (base coupe), you could load your car up with a myriad of options like:

Interior Decor Group, Disc Brakes, 4-Speed or Cruise-o-matic Automatic, Limited Slip Differential, Rally Pac Gauges, Special Handling Suspension Package, GT Equipment, Power Assist Groups which included Power Steering (not avail. on GT), Power Brakes, Power Soft Top.

Safety Equipment Group which included Sun Visors, Deluxe Seatbelts, & Emergency Flashers or the

Accent Group which could include Air Conditioning, Console Units (short on AC or Long), Back-Up Lamps and Heavy Duty Battery. You could even get a ‘Real’ or ‘fake’ Wood Steering Wheel, Dash Mounted Clock, Remote Truck Release, Floor Mats, Vinyl Covered Roof (notchback Coupe only), Stainless Door Jambs, Remote Mirror, AM / Eight-Track In Dash Tape Player, Chrome Gill Trim Plates, Back-Lit Mustang Emblem, Folding Sunroof (Notchback Coupe Only), Tissue Dispenser, Underhood Trouble Light, Rear Seat Speaker, «Pony» Horseshoe Bumperettes, Deck-Mounted Luggage Rack, or even a miniature Mustang Pedal car. Seldom seen (if ever) are the even rarer Collapsible Spare Tire, Factory Lake Side Pipes, Factory Trailer Hitch, Reverberator Sound System, Ford Fire Extinguisher or Removable Hardtop.

This meant, your base model Convertible could end up ‘stickered’ at over $4,400… even as much as $4,600 (’66 Corvette’s were $4,084). People ‘listened’ and ‘loaded up’ their cars with options. 71% had V8’s, 50% had Automatics, 85% had Whitewalls, 80% came with a Radio, and 10% had the Rally Pac Gauges. By years end (1966) Ford sold 607,568 Mustangs. 56,409 were ‘regular’ Mustang Convertible’s but, only a relatively small percentage was GT Models. It turns out many have rusted away or crashed. It is still really difficult ‘to find a good one’. Another setback, is trying to find an original Mustang that hasn’t been ‘altered’ to suit the new owner. There are a gluttony of color-change now Red cars in the marketplace. Just finding a car in one of the original 16 factory colors can be a challenge. Plus, note: due to the popularity many Mustangs are also being changed from 6 cylinder to 8 cylinder (careful: check the wheels:4 lug nuts= 6 cylinder, 5 lugs= 8 cylinder). Some ‘restoration’ shops are even cutting Notchback Coupes to make them into Convertibles! Real GT’s had Front Disc Brakes and did not have AC from the Factory*. Finding a real Mustang GT Convertible can be very rewarding. Why are they so popular? Because they are a blast to drive and are everything they were cracked up to be. Ford’s very own promotional banter will make you gag but, here’s how it went:

«A Mustang is for Riding in The Open…

A Mustang is for Riding in Town…

A Mustang will Cheer You When You’re Moping…

‘Specially, when the Top is Neatly Down»