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Overview
1965 brought a great number of new ways for buyers to personalize their Mustangs. A host of new options and accessories were made available for the 1965 Mustang including a new “fastback” body style. A larger more powerful base six cylinder engine and first tier V8 option boosted the low end of the spectrum while a new deluxe “Pony” interior option really boosted the luxury choices.
Minor visual and specification changes were made throughout but only noticeable to a trained eye. Production for the 1965 Mustang was spread across three separate Ford plants including Dearborn, San Jose, and now Metuchen, NJ. Demand was high for the new Mustang and Ford wanted to provide a car for every buyer.
The Mustang GT option package made its debut with the now iconic rocker stripes. An optional heavy duty suspension package and power disc-brakes were significant mechanical upgrades as were the unique rear tail pipe extensions with vent baffles. Special cross-bar foglamps, GT gas cap and special fender badging were other major visual cues. The GT package was only available with V8 Mustangs, which could be optioned with any of the available V8 and transmission offerings. The GT package is one of the most "added" option groups in modern day restorations.
1965 was also the year that Carroll Shelby entered the Mustang Shelby GT-350. The world would never be the same. With his modifications, the Mustang became permanently imprinted in the minds of auto enthusiasts as a serious performance car. His hottest version of the Mustang offered a boosted 289 hi-po engine with 306hp. The power of course came from the famous “LeMans” cam and a revised induction and exhaust package.
1965 Mustang Production Data:
63A Fastback 71,303
63B Fastback - Deluxe 5,766
65A Coupe 372,123
65B Coupe - Deluxe 22,232
65C Coupe - Bench Seat 14,905
76A Convertible 65,633
76B Convertible - Deluxe 5,338
76C Convertible - Bench Seat 2,111
Total Production 559,451
Source: Ford Motor Company Archives
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1965 Ford Mustang Historical Reference Guide
