First-ever Mustang hardtop on the block

By: Guy Allen, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 11.03.2017

Mustang production number two and the first notchback off the line.

Though in basic trim, this first Mustang hardtop will go for big money.

The second-ever production Mustang, and one of a handful of cars used to train auto workers how to assemble them, is going up for auction in May, via Mecums.

No estimate has been put up, yet, but you can expect it to be substantial. Even though the car is running very basic spec - a 170ci (2.8lt) six with three-speed manual transmission - it has huge historic importance and would be seen as a prime collectible.

The car is fully restored and has a well-established history.

According to Mecum:

In the rarified air of top collector cars, no description raises eyebrows quicker than "first." For Mustang, a car line that has been produced for 53 consecutive model years with more than 9 million sold, there is only one "first" hardtop. Amazingly, through fate, or perhaps sheer luck, 5F07U100002 survives today.

On Monday, February 10, 1964—the day after watching the Beatles’ debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show"—Ford workers returned to the Dearborn Assembly Plant to find a new vehicle interspersed among the 1964 Fairlanes. It was the 1965 Mustang, a sporty compact championed by Ford General Manager Lee Iacocca. As part of the pre-production preparation, the plant needed to train workers as well as build Mustangs for important PR duties, including a dozen convertibles for the Magic Skyway at the soon-to-open New York World’s Fair. However, the first two orders, convertible 5F08F100001 and hardtop 5F07U100002, were destined for the long trip to east- and west-coast Canadian Ford dealers so they would have a new Mustang in their showrooms for introduction day, April 17.

For two decades, Bob Fria has been unraveling the tale of 5F07U100002, a Caspian Blue 1965 Mustang hardtop. The early VIN piqued Fria’s interest. During the restoration disassembly, Fria discovered production oddities, including prototype sheetmetal stampings and welds unlike those found on later Mustangs. More here

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