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134888 / 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang Pace Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSUzU_Wq8iU

 

øÀÓThe most significant historic Mustang in the worldøÀÓ is a tall claim but, once you hear this convertibleøÀÓs incredible story, youøÀÓll whole-heartedly agree. In 1964, Lee Iacocca was preparing a massive marketing blitz for FordøÀÓs newly revealed pony car. Since the companyøÀÓs Falcon compact had already secured pace car duties for the 1964 Indy 500, Iacocca made his newest muse a last minute substitution. During the first hour of Mustang production, three convertibles were assembled with a combination of Falcon and 1963-coded Ford parts. And, as soon as those cars rolled off the Dearborn assembly line, they were shipped to legendary Charlotte tuner Holman Moody. In order to pace øÀÓthe great raceøÀÓ the cars needed to safely travel 140 miles per hour. So, the first thing Holman Moody did was, with FordøÀÓs blessing, replace the carsøÀÓ stock 260 powerplants with detuned 289s that were being developed for the GT40 Le Mans racer. Next came a lowered and stiffened suspension. And finally, chrome marine handles were, along with custom flag stanchions, added for both form and function.

Unfortunately, IacoccaøÀÓs grand but hasty plan encountered one major problem: Holman Moody only had time to complete two of the cars. When this Mustang and its counterpart were shipped to Indy, Mustang number three, being essentially a prototype, was scrapped. And when the two completed cars arrived at the brickyard, one immediately experienced mechanical failure. That meant the convertible you see here is the sole Mustang to, at the hands of Benson Ford, pace the 1964 Indianapolis 500. After a big day of speed and photo ops, the drop-top was unceremoniously returned to Ford. Ford, ever the supporter of motorsports, passed it to FloridaøÀÓs Sebring International Raceway. Sebring made good use of the Mustang as a parade car and driver loaner for a solid 11 seasons. Then, in 1974, this significant piece of Dearborn history was locked in a raceway storage facility and all but forgotten.

 

Fast forward to the early 90s when a Mustang Club of America official learned that a true gem of Mustang history had been stored roughly 120 miles from his house for almost 20 years. After talks with the owner of the track, he became the first, and only, private owner of the car. And, circa 1991, he began a fully documented, NOS restoration that would eventually earn the convertible a perfect score in MCAøÀÓs exclusive Thoroughbred Class. As far as labor was concerned, the restoration wasnøÀÓt too difficult, as the car was incredibly solid when purchased. In fact, 95% of its parts, some of them one-of-a-kind originals, were reconditioned and bolted right back up using original and NOS hardware. And the 5% that couldnøÀÓt be reused was carefully replaced with either NOS or completely custom components. In the final phase of the project, the carøÀÓs all-original body and frame were walnut-blasted to remove long-dead pigment. And correct, single-stage Ford Fleet White was laid under a metallic blue stripe, Indy tags and authentic pace car decals.

Developed for the GT40 campaign, labeled øÀÓexperimentaløÀÓ and, as far as anyone knows, the only factory-installed Mustang mill of its kind, this convertibleøÀÓs 450 horsepower V8 is a literal fairy-tale of Ford performance. Behind the hot small block, an øÀÓexperimentaløÀÓ Toploader 4-speed, which wears a familiar C3 bellhousing, turns a narrowed øÀÓ59 Galaxie limited-slip around 3.25 gears. At the ends of the car, a fully restored suspension employs a larger sway bar, shortened coils, de-arched leafs and original, mismatched Koni shocks. At the corners of the car, heavy duty, Holman Moody-tweaked drums provide firm, fade-free stops. And power meets the pavement thanks to painted steel wheels, which spin NOS 7.75-14 Firestone 500 goldlines around faux stainless knock-offs.

So, there you have it: one of FordøÀÓs most storied muscle cars ready to begin the next chapter in its all-important role of preserving irreplaceable history. This blue chip pony has all the hardware, documentation and prestige to ensure its status as øÀÓthe most significant historic Mustang in the worldøÀÓ. If youøÀÓre a serious collector whoøÀÓs shopping for a unique and impressive investment thatøÀÓs virtually guaranteed to gain, call, click or visit Collector & Classic Car Dealer - Buy Cars for Sale Online today!