Since its debut in April 1964, the Ford Mustang has made an incredible impact on the automotive world. It’s no mystery why the Ford Motor Company has produced so many impressive iterations of the vehicle over the course of the last 58 years — it offers a breathtaking performance as well as numerous options suitable for different budgets and drivers.
In 1965, Ford offered three main types of Mustangs, which are now known as “the three faces of Mustang.” And perhaps the most notable and rarest iteration that year was the Mustang GT Convertible.
Here’s what you need to know about the different versions of the 1965 Mustang as well as the breathtaking 1965 Mustang GT Convertible.
The Three Main Different Types of Mustangs
When studying Ford’s immense success with the Mustang, one can identify several reasons why the vehicle sold so well over the years, including its appeal to the youth market, lack of competition in its first few years, competitive prices, and notable style characteristics, such as its classic long hood and short deck proportions.
Although these are all solid reasons for the vehicle’s success, one can also point to the fact that the Mustang offers three main car versions that appeal to so many auto enthusiasts: economy, luxury, and performance.
Those looking for an affordable pony car in 1965 could purchase a Mustang with a six-cylinder engine and three-speed transmission. The vehicle’s base powertrain was the 170 cu in (2.8 L) Thriftpower I6 engine. This option set motorists back $2,368, close to $21,000 today. Ford was aware of how desirable this affordable option was, so the company often focused on this economy option in its ad campaigns.
1960s drivers looking for a piece of luxury didn’t need to look further than the Ford Mustang’s many style and performance upgrades, such as its wire-style wheel covers, vinyl roof, full-length center console, and power steering and brakes. Drivers could also upgrade their vehicles to include air-conditioning. This more luxurious version was notably more expensive than the economy iteration, but it was still a fairly affordable vehicle considering its impressive specifications and style.
In addition to the Mustang’s base engine, motorists had the option of upgrading to a 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6, 260 cu in (4.3 L) small block V8, and 289 cu in (4.7 L) small block V8.
Those looking for a truly exceptional performance could invest in the 289 cu in (4.7 L) small block HiPo “K-code” V8 along with a Special Handling Package, the Rally Pac clock-tachometer, and a four-speed transmission. This stunning powertrain came with a 4-barrel Autolite 4100 carburetor that boasted 271 hp at 6,000 rpm and 312 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm.
The 1965 Classic Mustang Convertible GT
Although drivers had much to choose from when it came to luxury and performance, the most enviable option sported a combination of the luxury and performance packages: the Mustang GT. The GT Equipment Package came with the 289 cu in HiPo V8 along with disc brakes, rocker-panel stripes, and grille-mounted fog lamps. Inside this breathtaking car, motorists enjoyed an instrument panel that included a fuel gauge, speedometer, temperature gauge, amp meter, and oil pressure gauge.
One could obtain the GT Equipment Package on a fastback, hardtop, or convertible. Although the GT Fastback and GT Hardtop were certainly impressive cars, the most desired was by far the Mustang GT Convertible. Ford produced a total of 418,000 Mustang units in 1965, and out of those many units, only 150 were GT Convertibles, making them highly rare today.
An important note about these cars is that people often mistake more-common Mustang convertibles for GTs because they’re labeled “K” Mustangs. Unfortunately, these Mustang convertibles are not GTs unless they come with the authentic HiPo engine, and most do not.
How you can tell whether a Mustang sports a genuine HiPo engine is through its notable external properties, including its dual-point full centrifugal distributor, tubular-style cast-iron exhaust manifolds, thick crankshaft harmonic balancer, and an alternator with a 3-inch diameter cast pulley. The clearest indicator is the “K” that appears on the engine’s serial number on the right of the engine.
1965 Mustang GT Convertibles are truly a sight to behold, but they are exceedingly rare. If you have the opportunity to purchase a Mustang GT, ensure that it’s authentic before investing.
Get Premium Insurance on a Classic Mustang
If you’re lucky enough to own a 1965 Mustang GT or another classic convertible, you need the best protection available to keep it on the road years down the line. For great insurance you can count on, consider Classic Auto Insurance. We offer customizable policies on classic Mustangs that are tailored to your unique needs, and we even offer agreed-upon value, meaning that we’ll work with you to determine your classic car’s real worth. In the event that you total your classic Mustang, you’ll receive the full agreed-upon amount minus your deductible.
Our policies come with additional valuable benefits including inflation guard, nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing, rollover miles, and more.
For the best insurance on your classic Mustang, call our car experts today at 888-901-1338, or you can click here for an instant quote online.
