A unique 1965 Mustang is up for auction that has a surprise, but it’s not hidden under the hood, but under the body.
This Mustang was used for the Disney-designed Magic Skyway Ride at the New York World’s Fair in 1965. Eleven convertible Mustangs were used for the ride, and only three are known to still exist. This example is the only one that has been restored and came up for auction at Mecum’s Indy sale from May 13-21.
Under the body is a special attachment point for the convertible to be attached to the ride, which would pull customers around a track to see multiple attractions. It started with a trip through a “Time Tunnel” in new Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles, and continued with animatronic figures such as dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, and cavemen.
There is a little bit of a surprise under the hood however; take a look inside and you’ll see a 200 cubic inch straight-six engine, producing just 120 horsepower. No need to waste V8 in a vehicle that will barely move under its own power, anyway.
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Carrying the serial number 5F08T383386, the pony car was built in January of 1965 and features the District Sales Office Code 842011, indicating special order by Ford’s Home Office Reserve for use for the ride.
Only a few things are unoriginal to the vehicle that ride-goers would have sat in; 1966 hubcaps, 1966 AM radio with 8-track player, and bench seat were installed before being sold off of the Ford Resale “B” lot in December of 1965. The current owner bought the vehicle in 1978 and has held on to it until now.
The Mustang was meticulously restored in 2015, retaining most of its original body panels and pieces. The front fenders were replaced with date-coded 1965 NOS units, as was the convertible fabric top. The odometer shows just 35,500 miles, but it’s estimated that another 5,000 miles were spent being towed around the amusement ride.
Mecum estimated the Mustang to reach between $100,000 and $150,000, which is more than double the usual price of a similar vehicle without the World’s Fair provenance.
