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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