We frequently get people asking where all the affordable—yet cool—hobby cars have gone? We would submit for your consideration this handsome 1965 Ford Mustang coupe, which remains as stylish as ever, very fun to drive, and incredibly reasonable to buy and own. From almost day one, Mustangs were icons, and that remains true today because you’ll find that everyone is your friend when you drive this pretty little coupe. Better yet, few will know how little you paid and given the lively performance offered by the torquey inline-6 and 3-speed manual gearbox, it’s not like you’re giving up anything to the guys in V8 cars. You’re still a rock star when you drive a vintage Mustang, so if you’ve been wondering about an affordable way to break into the hobby, this is it.

Given the way all these clean, affordable 6-cylinder Mustangs sell almost overnight, we’d urge you to make a move on this one before it’s gone. Unlike most of its siblings, it has lived an easy life, originally delivered to Colorado and then spending years in the warm, dry southwest before coming to Ohio just recently. As a result, it’s incredibly straight and clean, and with just one older repaint in its original code 5 Twilight Turquoise, it has a great look that is both authentic and usable. The sheetmetal remains laser-straight and unmolested by time, accident, or rust, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised that such an affordable vintage car can fit together this well. I mean, just look how well that trunk lid fits! The finish almost looks original, with a soft shine that only time can create, and the handsome turquoise finish is quite appealing on the low-key coupe bodywork. Add in the familiar Mustang styling cues like the running pony in the grille, the chrome inserts in the quarters, and the tree-element taillights, and you can bet that you’ll always be the center of attention almost anywhere you go. The chrome, stainless, and glass details remain in great shape, with what appear to be new bumpers and taillights, but the rest is excellent original stuff.

The standard black interior appears to be almost entirely original as well, and it’s just beautifully preserved. There are no splits or tears in the seats, the door panels are crisp and bright, and only the carpets appear to be replacements, probably done some time ago so they look right. And even though this car spent most of its life in the dry, high desert, the dash pad is not cracked and the original headliner is in fantastic shape. Factory gauges are all operational and the 69,543 miles indicated on the odometer is a correct reading (car has an actual mileage title). There are no frills, but the Mustang doesn’t need to be loaded up to be entertaining and charming, and we like the simplicity—nothing to break down the road. The 3-speed manual gearbox is a nice find and having the shifter sticking out of the transmission tunnel gives the Mustang an appropriately sporty feel from behind the wheel. There’s a block-off plate in the center of the dash where a radio would have lived, so if you want an upgrade it’ll be easy to do—but then again, maybe simple is better? In the trunk there’s a correct plaid mat set plus a brand-new spare tire that’s never been used and a complete jack assembly.

The 200 cubic inch T-code inline-6 is a great little engine and you’ll find that there are a great many Mustang fans who love this indestructible powerplant. With so few miles, this one still runs superbly and it has been extensively serviced just recently, so it’s 100% ready to go. New parts include a full tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc.), new fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor, fresh belts and hoses, new fuel tank, new battery, and fresh fluids throughout. We don’t believe the engine has ever been out of the car and those decades of clean living are very much on display in the engine bay, where it wears original factory enamel and bright orange on the air cleaner and valve cover (we touched-up the valve cover, but it looks great). Check out the condition of the inner fenders and firewall, which still appear to be wearing factory-applied satin black paint. It starts easily, idles well, and thanks to seven main bearings inside, it’s turbine-smooth out on the road. Maintenance is cheap, it’s easy on gas, and you’ll still find yourself driving around with a big grin on your face listening to the unique 6-cylinder growl from the new exhaust system.

The 3-speed manual is a big part of this car’s fun-to-drive quotient, and it shifts easily with no issues. Out back there are 3.20 gears, so it feels quick around town but cruises easily at highway speeds. The floors are immaculate with no evidence of rust or accident damage and since this has always been a 6-cylinder car, it hasn’t been abused or raced, so it feels quite solid going down the road. It tracks straight thanks to a fully rebuilt front suspension that includes new control arms, plus fresh shocks all around. Steering and brakes are manual, but this is a very light car and I don’t think you’ll find it difficult to drive, especially with rebuilt brakes all around—don’t underestimate their stopping power! It sits on factory 13-inch steel wheels with familiar Mustang hubcaps and recent 175/80/13 whitewall radials that look right and handle great.

Extras include owner’s manuals, receipts, photos, spare parts, extra tires, and more.

The Ford Mustang still represents fun, and when you can get such a clean, well-maintained, no-stories car with all the work already done, it’s just a no-brainer. Step up and drive the car you’ve always wished you had bought years ago. There’s no time like right now to own a Mustang!