1964 Ford Mustang - Mustang 289 Convertible

Very early example from the second month of production

Delivered new with D-code engine and four-speed manual gearbox

Timelessly attractive in Rangoon Red with red interior

Imported by its lady current owner 16 years ago

Impressive state of preservation and care

In the early 1960s, Ford identified a new breed of customer. The children of the post-war years were coming of age, had money to spend and, above all, did not want to drive the same cars as their parents. Chevrolet had the Corvette as a suitably glamorous flagship, but it was expensive and hardly suited to the mass market. Ford was looking for something different – a car that looked exciting without costing an exciting amount of money.

Lee Iacocca spotted the opportunity. Using proven mass-production components from the Ford Falcon, his team created a compact four-seater with a long bonnet, short tail and an almost endless list of options. From a mild-mannered six-cylinder to a muscular V8, customers could effectively build their own Mustang. The pony car was born, even if the term itself came later.

The Mustang was officially unveiled on 17 April 1964. The response was overwhelming even by American standards: around 22,000 orders were placed on the very first day. Coupé and Convertible were available from the outset, with the particularly sporting-looking Fastback following shortly afterwards.

The Mustang did, admittedly, look faster than it actually was in basic form. No matter. Those who were serious ordered a V8, and before long Carroll Shelby was taking care of customers for whom even that was not enough. With the GT350 and later the GT500, the affordable good-looker became a very serious performance car indeed.

Ford continued to develop the Mustang almost every year. It became bigger, wider and more powerful. The Mach 1, Boss 302 and Boss 429 eventually took the pursuit of performance to its logical conclusion. By 1971, the comparatively delicate Mustang of 1964 had grown into a fully fledged muscle car.

The first generation came to an end in 1973. What had begun as a clever car for a young generation of buyers had long since become an American institution. Ford had not catered to a new market. Ford had created it.

This Rangoon Red Mustang Convertible is one of the very earliest examples. According to its chassis number, it dates from the second month of production, April 1964. The chassis number also reveals it to be a D-code Mustang – Ford-speak for the 289-cubic-inch engine with a four-barrel carburettor with which this Convertible was delivered new. At the start of production, this was the second most powerful version of the 4.7-litre V8 available.

Even more pleasing when looking into the equally red interior are the third pedal and the gear lever between the two seats. With a four-speed manual gearbox, those 210 American horses – 162 of which are officially recorded today – acquire the sort of temperament that finally does justice to the Mustang name.

Sixteen years ago, the Mustang came home as a souvenir from its current owner’s extended stay on the US West Coast. Ever since, the laid-back Convertible has spent the summer months attracting admiring glances along the lakeside roads of Austria’s Salzkammergut.

Its appearance today remains just as restrained as it was when new. So far, nobody has felt the need to bolt on wide rims, oversized wheels or any of the other regrettable accessories these cars have so often had to endure. As a result, this very early Mustang Convertible presents itself much as Lee Iacocca and his men originally intended.

As if that were not convincing enough, the combination of D-code engine, manual gearbox and state of preservation should dispel any remaining doubts. Not that we ever had any about this Mustang.