The Mustang
This would be my first real project. May I introduce the 65 mustang, affectionately
called the Raven. Odd name for a red car, yes, but there's a reason for everything.
And besides. Before too long, it'll prolly be flat black! I purchased it on a sort
of whim, a long story really. It begins when I decide I wish to purchase a black
'69 Mustang that was customized to be a drag racer. It was going for $4,200 and
I wanted it. The current owner was selling it in order to afford parts for his
corvette, a more modern dragster. Anyways, the day before I called the owner to
inform him that I had the loan I promised, he sold the car to someone who offered
him cash on the spot (grrr) And so, I was in search of a mustang. All that I found
in the papers were too expensive but for a few. One was a '65 coupe and so I checked
it out. On a whim, I purchased the car without ever driving it. I've high hopes
for the car. I'm intending on restoring it and turning it into a beauty. It isn't
the dragster I was going to get, that's for sure, what with the 6 cylinders that
power it, but it has its points. So far, the car's been an eye opener and a dear
friend. And who knows what is to happen next?
We shall see...
Serial Code Decoded
| Body Style |
(65) | Hardtop |
Notes: Correct |
| Interior Style |
A | Standard |
Notes: Incorrect, has bench seats (C) |
| Color |
J | Rangoon Red |
Notes: Correct |
| Trim |
25 | Red vinyl/Red Trim |
Notes: Incorrect, black bench (36) |
| Date |
21M | December, 21 |
Notes: 9 days after my b-day (and many years before) |
| DSO (place of birth) |
75 | Unknown |
Notes: Any clue? Don't know what this # is |
| Axle |
3 | 3.20:1 |
Notes: Couldn't tell ya. |
| Transmission |
1 | 3 spd Manual |
Notes: Incorrect, it's 4 speed for certain. |
| Year | 5 | 1965 |
| Assembly Plant | R | San Jose, California |
| Body Serial Number | 07 | Hardtop |
| Engine Code | T | 200 6 cyl |
| Consecutive Unit Number | 167174 | 67173 mustang |
Quick note: the bench seats are actually from a 68 mustang/cougar. On close look, one can
tell the car's been restored in the past and someone decided to change the interior from
red to black. Scratches in vynil dye can be seen here and there. In the end, I intend to
keep only the rear seat upright. Someone installed a pony interior seat back there. I
hope to upgrade the whole interior to be the pony package.. quite an undertaking and one
I won't be able to do until I get the car painted for good!
Pictures of the car
Chronology of Car's life with me
| 2000, July 17 |
Car purchased, taken back to Bremerton from Seattle |
| 2000, July 19 |
Car registered (Yay! It's officially mine!!) |
| 2000, July 29, 31 |
Finally, a personality deveklops! As I'm driving around Silverdale, I stop at a
light and... nothing. The car dies. Just a second later, I see the previous owner
of the first mustang I was going to buy drive by. Any connection? Anyways, I
spent the rest of 15 minutes discovering that my mustang was intent on dying
whenever my foot wasn't on the gas or the clutch was out. Not fun... Well, it
continued this for two days so I took it in on the 31st. As I'm driving it to
the shop... it starts working fine again. The mechanics could find no problem
either. They did note that the contact set in the car and the exhaust manifold
needed repairs. The latter I already knew about. So, when I get the cash, the
car goes to the car vet for some repairs. Darn tempermental old cars... |
| 2000, August 18 |
Simple things first. I bought two seatbelts and attempted to install them.
The driver side now has belts but I couldn't find the place for the passenger
side. I'll worry about that later. |
| 2000, September 11 |
Purchased a new carbeurator and a few toys. |
| 2000, October 20 |
Finally installed the carbeurator. Also had the gaskets on the exhaust
manifold replaced. Now? Well, the car is significantly quieter. Seems
to still be having troubles with dying and being rough. |
| 2000, November 2 |
For some reason, she insists on dying. And then not starting again. I took
her to the shop, again. They said that the fuel tank was full of rust... and so
it was, probably from sitting for so long. They replaced the tank and flushed
everything out. Works much better now. Thanks! |
| 2000, November 8 |
What is it with me and flat rear tires? Well, I've been taking the car to work
pretty regularly but today when I start to drive off, I realized that the right
rear tire was completely flat. It had a screw in it. Fortunately, I didn't
have to worry too much about fixing it, however I had to purchase a jack and a
tire wrench to get the spare on. |
| 2000, December 12 |
My birthday. And now, finally, I take the car in to the shop. It was dying
on me and being very lacking in power. They cleaned up and reset the condenser
points and now... well, the car's being much more powerful. Impressive! |
| 2000, December 24-26 |
Okay. It had to happen sometime. We took the old car over to my parent's garage
while they were away on a quick vacation. we re-primered alot of the spots on
the car and fixed a few simple things, like reappling the old side view mirror.
It was FUN!!! |
| 2001, January 1 |
Driving in Silverdale again, the clutch gave out. Seems the throwout bearing
cracked in two. I had it replaced and a whole clutch job done. |
| 2001, February 8 |
Decided to take her in to get the brakes looked at. They drag a bit. The shop
straightened them out a bit and said that the self adjusters in front need to be
replaced. No prob, I can do that myself. Also, they noted that the e-brake was
stretched and bent. I'd need to fix that before it would work as well. Once
again, I can do that alone. No prob. |
| 2001, March 1 |
To finish up the brake job, had the front drums resurfaced. It keeps a straight
line now. |
| 2001 March 16 |
Ya learn something new every day. I'd had some problems with the gears locking
up on me. Found out why today. Seems that the gear box has a few loose nuts.
And, I figured out how to solve the problem should it occur. Makes for
annoying greasy hands, but so be the case. I'll worry about it later. |
| 2001 April 27 |
I finally got the e-brake into working condition. It took me forever... but
only because I'm lazy. I also discovered that I'd left my headlights on.
Oops! No battery. I got my friend to help me jump start the car fine... drove
it around and it worked fine the next day. But soon, it died again. And again.
I think I need a new battery or alternator or both. |
| 2001 May 1 |
Now working again, I drove the car a few places. I let it sit for an hour and
it died. Took it back and it wouldn't start again. So, I figured it was time
for a new battery and that's what I've got. A brand new battery and it seems to
be working fine. |
| 2001 July 20 |
The poor car's acting up alot. I think I'll keep it ground bound for a bit till
I can get it worked on a bit. I cut out the front carpets to see how bad any rust
damage is. Not too bad, I must stay. I think I'll be focusing on body work next
and saving up for the final paint job. |
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