Muscle-Era Mustangs

Gary Thomas Collection to feature 13 high-performance Mustangs from 1965-70

On April 13, 1964, Lee Iacocca stood before the gathered press during the opening of the New York World’s Fair to announce a new compact car from Ford Motor Company. He stressed that the Mustang was designed to be three things: a basic economy car with standard six-cylinder engine, a luxury car when ordered with available options, and a sports car suitable for street fun or competition. Although based on the Falcon, the 1965 Mustang’s long hood, short rear deck styling and European-look front end appealed to buyers young and old. Ford sold over 1.2 million in the first two years.

Most 1965-66 Mustangs were affordable base models; many were purchased by young couples with children or families in need of a second car. But with a Total Performance campaign well underway, Ford recognized the importance of performance and racing to establish a sports-car image for its new car. A fastback body style and 289 High Performance engine—both added within months of the Mustang’s introduction—were steps in the right direction. By late 1965, Carroll Shelby was building SCCA championship GT350s just as a new automotive market was emerging.

While the Mustang changed the automotive landscape and forced other American manufacturers to create their own “pony car,” it may have been the Pontiac’s GTO that was responsible for changing the Mustang from a “sports car” to a “muscle car.” For 1967, the Mustang grew in all dimensions to accommodate a big-block engine, which also inspired Shelby to offer a 428-powered GT500. At midyear 1968, the 428 Cobra Jet entered the picture in preparation for a landmark 1969-70 era with CJ-powered Mach 1s and Shelbys along with race-inspired Boss models.

Texan Gary Thomas grew up with Mustang muscle cars and, as such, has focused much of his energy on collecting and restoring some of the best and most interesting of the breed. In fact, his offerings at Mecum Kissimmee can be used to trace the Mustang’s muscle car history. The 13 Thomas Mustangs range from 1965 to 1970 and cover the Mustang’s most coveted high-performance names—Shelby, Boss, Mach 1 and Hi-Po.

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During 1965-66, Mustang muscle meant the 289 High Performance engine, a small-block that produced 271 high-winding horsepower thanks to a solid-lifter cam, 4-barrel carburetion, and high-flow exhaust manifolds. Although loaded with image, very few were produced. The Thomas example is one of an estimated 185 Hi-Po convertibles built for 1965. Showing 17,000 miles, the low-mileage Twilight Turquoise K-code features matching numbers and has been restored using its original parts.

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In southern California, Shelby American started with Hi-Po fastbacks to create the GT350, represented in the Thomas Collection by a 1966 model that’s believed to be one of just nine non-Hertz models produced in black. The 62,300-mile GT350 showcases Shelby’s modifications, including the original 306 HP “Cobra” 289 Hi-Po, handling suspension, interior upgrades and exterior identification that includes a steel-reinforced fiberglass hood with scoop, side scoops, Plexiglas rear quarter windows and lower side stripes.

After two years of record sales, Ford updated the Mustang for 1967 by enhancing its muscular looks while also increasing the size to accommodate a big-block engine. Shelby used the restyling opportunity make his 1967-68 GT350 and new GT500 models even more distinctive from the standard Mustang by the use of fiberglass panels. The Gary Thomas 1968 GT350 illustrates the major differences with its unique Shelby nose, hood with forward-placed scoops, side scoops and ducktail-spoilered rear end that also incorporates Thunderbird sequential tail lights. Notably, the Sunlit Gold and immaculately restored fastback was originally ordered by Hertz Rent-a-Car for its Hertz Sports Car Club.

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The Mustang reached its performance pinnacle during the muscle car’s 1969-70 heydays. The Shelby styling moved to the next level, further differentiating the premium-priced “road car” from the Mustang as evidenced by a pair of 1969 GT350s from the Gary Thomas Collection. The Royal Maroon SportsRoof features a 4-speed transmission and contrasting white stripes, while the 1969 GT350 convertible is one of only three produced in Grabber Blue with white interior.

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Ford’s entry into the hot Tran Am pony car segment was the 1969 Boss 302 with a unique Cleveland-headed small-block plus stripes, spoilers and rear window slats designed by Larry Shinoda. Only 1,628 were built. The 1969 Boss 302 offered by Gary Thomas is a one-of-one with its combination of Wimbledon White exterior and white Deluxe interior.

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Ford enhanced the Mustang’s performance image by supporting drag racers like Lucy Below, who campaigned a 428 Cobra Jet-powered 1969 SportsRoof on the west coast. Restored to its original racing configuration with input from Lucy and her husband, Bob, the quarter-mile Mustang has been repainted in its unique exterior scheme—white on one side, blue on the other. Sponsored by Ford performance dealer Foulger Ford, the drag Mustang, known as “Lucy’s Larceny,” competed for three years, setting a SS/HA class record and appearing in magazines.

The Shelby mystique flowed south of the border in the late 1960s when Mexican businessman Eduardo Velazquez established a relationship with Carroll Shelby to offer Mexican-built GT350 hardtops from Shelby de Mexico. The Lime Metallic 1969 Shelby de Mexico GT350 offered as part of the Gary Thomas Collection is one of only 306 built with the unique fastback-look sail panels, three-scoop hood, Thunderbird tail lights and 302 power.

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Shelby, Boss and Mach 1 served as Ford’s performance juggernauts in 1970. Gary Thomas possesses a special affinity for Boss 302s, so two of his Kissimmee cars are the street Trans Am variants, both in vibrant exterior colors. The Grabber Orange Boss has been completely restored and ranks as a one-of-one per its Marti Report, thanks to a combination of equipment that includes Shaker hood scoop, rear spoiler, rear window slats and Magnum 500 wheels. Thomas’ Grabber Blue Boss 302, also restored, is another one-of-one and features Black Deluxe interior and all of the popular exterior options. The Shaker-scooped 351-powered 1970 Mach 1s are brightly colored as well, one in Grabber Green with the ultra-desirable white interior and the other in Calypso Coral with Vermilion interior. The Thomas 1970 Shelby GT350 is one of four produced in Grabber Blue with white interior and rates as a luxury cruiser with peppy 351 4-barrel engine, air conditioning, automatic transmission and tilt steering column.

Although Gary Thomas loves Mustang muscle cars, he isn’t a one-dimensional Ford man. He also has a warm spot for 1930s Fords and has collected some of the best, both stock and Street Rod. At Kissimmee, he is offering four from his collection: a 1932 Tudor Street Rod, 1932 Deluxe Roadster, 1935 Deluxe Roadster Street Rod and a 1939 Deluxe Coupe. This is a great mix of vehicles from a Mustang-minded man.

OFFERED AT NO RESERVE JANUARY 13 AT KISSIMMEE 2023