MEET THE OWNER – RACHEL INGLIS AND HER 1965 FORD MUSTANG

“The first-generation Mustang was always my dream car. I saved for years and managed to find one for sale local to me. I went to see her the following day - and the rest is history.” Fourteen years ago, Rachel bought one of the few cars that merits the much-overused term ‘iconic’ - a Ford Mustang Hardtop powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine.

We covered the Mustang’s origins in a previous blog, and what is especially notable about this example is how exotic it would have seemed on British roads in 1965. Forty-nine years ago, Ford targeted middle-class young professionals with their ‘Pony Car’, but in the UK, a V8 Hardtop sold for £1,922 – more than twice the cost of an MGB Roadster. The Mustang was also over £400 more expensive than a Sunbeam Tiger and only £14 cheaper than a Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Roadster.

In other words, a ’65 Mustang in the UK was a car for moderately groovy actors or to convey a ‘Beat Combo’ leader to the Associated-Rediffusion studios for a recording of Ready, Steady, Go!. Such owners could also afford to indulge in the Mustang’s many and varied optional extras, from a push-button radio and a tinted windscreen to Cruise-O-Matic automatic gears.

Ford facelifted the Mustang for the 1967 model year, and debate still rages about which generation is the most aesthetically pleasing. Rachel discovered her Hardtop “By keeping a close eye on eBay for some time, but all the ones I found were miles away, primarily London and the South Coast way. Then, I just found this one less than 10 miles away from me, went to view her and ended up buying her. Did a lot of work around eight years ago, including welding, a respray, a Cruise-O-Matic gearbox rebuild, and the leaf springs, amongst other bits and bobs. It needs the odd thing here and there maintenance-wise, but she’s lovely and reliable.”

Ford designed the Mustang to use as many existing components as possible while retaining an identity separate from other models. Car and Driver rudely described it as “a product of in-breeding rather than thorough-breeding”. Across the Atlantic, Motor Sport grumbled about road manners “typical of American cars with floppy suspension, low-geared steering and suspect brakes!”

Nearly half a century later, Rachel echoes these remarks: “It is awful to drive, no power steering and drum brakes all round - but I really don’t care. I adore driving such an iconic car!” Or, as Ford put it in 1965 - “Can the unbelievable happen when you meet Mustang?”.

With thanks to: Rachel Inglis