The second of two examples, this 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is one of approximately 180 to 200 pre-production prototypes built and only about 15 known to still exist worldwide. Wearing Serial No. 140, it carries the same 05C code exclusive to the preproduction Mustangs, all of which were built from February through March 5, 1964, prior to the commencement of official mass production on March 9 of that same year. Like its sibling, Serial No. 139, this Mustang’s DSO (District Sales Office) code 89 (Transport Services) indicates its designation for internal use rather than assignment to a dealer. Painted Rangoon Red and fitted with a white soft top and black interior with bucket seats and a full-length center console, the car was optioned with a 260 CI V-8 mated to a C4 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, Rally Pac gauges and a radio. Additional features include 14-inch steel wheels with factory spinner sport wheel covers, padded visors, seat belts and two-speed electric wipers with washer. This amazing historical treasure was sold on May 31, 1967 by Mathison Motor Company in Ames, Iowa, to Ben Buck, who kept the car for 39 years until transferring ownership to his son Brian, who owned the car until 2006. It was then purchased by its third owner, Bruce Beeghly of Ohio, who commissioned a carefully documented, nut-and-bolt restoration by Buckeye Restorations in Canfield, Ohio, to Mustang Club of America Concours guidelines. The restoration process included months of thorough research involving discussions with experts and fellow preproduction Mustang owners, compiling a photographic record of preproduction cars and, by special arrangement with Ford Motor Company, inspecting Mustang No. 1 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Many notably unique features were built into Serial No. 140 and preserved as part of the restoration. These include a December 1963 frame date code, non-production leaded seams, unique wiring harness labeling, evidence of hand forming and hammering in various sheet metal components, different top bows and other structural details and non-stock exterior dimensions—all meticulously preserved as part of the car’s fascinating story. Completed in 2009, the restoration of Serial No. 140 produced a sterling record of show awards and honors, beginning with a Blue Ribbon for Best in Class at the 2009 Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance. A feature article in the April 2010 issue of Mustang Monthly was followed by a Gold Award at the 2011 MCA River City National in Jacksonville, Florida, and another Gold at the MCA’s Mustangs at the Mickyard Grand National Show at Disney World in August 2013. Two features followed in Mustang Times Magazine in May 2020 and again in December 2021, the latter in the wake of a Bronze Award at the October 2021 MCA Spirit of the West National Show held in Tucson, Arizona. Without doubt one of the most valuable Mustangs in the badge’s history, this preproduction treasure merits a place of honor in a premier collection.
