1964 Ford Mustang

This early '1964.5' (believed to be possibly the earliest racing Mustang) car was owned by a prominent figure in the automotive industry and converted for competition usage in 2006/7 by Classic Racing Cars Ltd of Seighford, Staffordshire.

The brief to them was a particularly broad and challenging one: create a car that could successfully compete – and win - at circuit races, road rallies, hill climbs, sprints and other FIA sanctioned events.

The car left Ford’s Dearborn plant with a 260 cu in (4.2 litre) V8 engine. 

When it arrived in the UK some years later, it was found to be more than sufficiently solid and sound to serve as the basis for the creation of this race car. 

Reinforced with an FIA-compliant roll cage, chemically dipped and seam welded, the bodyshell was free of corrosion or other underlying defects.

Tim Adams Racing Engines sourced and supplied a 289 cu in (4.7 litre) V8 running on 98 RON fuel with a booster, mated to a T&C four-speed manual gearbox. 

A brand-new rear axle, LSD and competition driveshafts were incorporated, plus Kelsey Hayes front disc brakes with four-pot callipers. 

Other modifications included a quick-ratio steering box, ATL racing fuel cell and facet pump, Recaro bucket seats, drilled pedals, aluminium door cards, a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system, and a bespoke dashboard with a Brantz trip meter. 

The car's entirely rewired electrical system included an alternator and a ‘kill switch’. 

The cost of the initial build alone was more than £70,000 above and beyond the outlay on the donor car.  

Another £12,000 or so of fine tuning and fettling followed shortly afterwards – including new shock absorbers all-round and full Waxoyl-ing.

The Mustang was issued with a MSA HTP (Historic Technical Passport) on April 4th 2007 and has, in the intervening years, campaigned successfully at events at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington, Knockhill, Prescott Hillclimb, Benjafield’s Racing Club, Cornbury Sprint, Curborough, and the Jersey Festival of Motoring…among many others.  

The gearbox was overhauled in 2012 – the bill for which is just one of many contributing to a spend well in excess of £100,000 since the car first set out on its journey to becoming a race car.  

We have driven it and can attest to its ferocious ability to deploy over 400bhp at the drop of a hat (or a flag); its tenacity and unwillingness to let go of the tarmac unless you’re really trying too hard; and its unforgettable soundtrack of deafening roars, rips, snorts, pops and barks as it goes about its brutal, bruising, bellicose business.

The bodywork is true, straight, and unsullied by any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds of consequence.

The wheels are in good order, as are the matching Dunlop tyres.

The chrome work is equally good and has not succumbed to any foxing, pitting or tarnishing.

The car’s blue paintwork is excellent too, and aside from one or two micro-blisters under the yellow stripes on the roof, the decals are also in fine fettle. 

If you look long enough and hard enough, you’ll find the odd scuff here, a scratch there and a stone chip or two elsewhere.

But it’s a race car, so it really doesn’t matter very much.

It’s a similar story on the inside.

Everything is in fine, functional, working order, as far as we can see.

The Recaro seats are showing no real signs of use or abuse.

The steering wheel, dials, switches and controls all have an understandably purposeful look about them.

The Hurst gear lever looks as if it could withstand a nuclear attack.

It’s all good.

Everything in the engine bay appears clean, dry, right and proper. 

The undersides of the car look to have a good deal of structural integrity. 

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion. 

This car comes with all manner of invoices, bills and receipts covering its journey to becoming a competition car. 

It also has plenty of photographic evidence, correspondence and FIA documentation. 

It has a recent, clear HPI report and a V5C.

This no-expense-spared, ‘built to the hilt’ car won on its debut outing at Silverstone in 2007.

It has gone on to add an impressive and diverse array of silverware to its bulging trophy cabinet since then.

It has the flexibility and adaptability to compete and win across a variety of motorsport disciplines and specialisms.

It is ready, able and willing to do so again – quite possibly with you at the wheel.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £55,000 - £65,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.