The First Serialized Mustang Hardtop Up For Auction

There are rare Mustangs and then there are rare Mustangs. With a lineage that dates back to 1964 and millions of examples sold back then, there are a lot of rare pony cars. However, in May one of the rarest Mustangs ever created—the first hardtop where a vehicle identification number—will roll across the auction block at the Mecum auction in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“For two decades, Bob Fria has been unraveling the tale of 5F07U100002, a Caspian Blue 1965 Mustang hardtop. The early VIN piqued Fria’s interest. During the restoration disassembly, Fria discovered production oddities, including prototype sheetmetal stampings and welds unlike those found on later Mustangs,” Says Mecum. “As Fria dug into the car’s history by interviewing former Ford employees and becoming friends with Iacocca along the way, he became the foremost authority on early Mustang development, especially the hectic early months of 1964 as Ford prepared its new car for production. Fria eventually put his research into a book, Mustang Genesis.”

The first Mustang hardtop to receive a vehicle identification number (5F07U100002) was a pre-production model built so a Canadian Ford dealer would have a Mustang on its showroom floor the day the Mustang was introduced, April 17. This model is up for sale at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The first Mustang hardtop to receive a vehicle identification number (5F07U100002) was a pre-production model built so a Canadian Ford dealer would have a Mustang on its showroom floor the day the Mustang was introduced, April 17. This model is up for sale at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana.

1965 Mustang Highlights

• Serial no. 00002

• Recognized as the first Mustang hardtop to receive a VIN

• Body transferred from the pilot plant in Allen Park to the Dearborn facility to become pre-production VIN car

• Shipped in error to Whitehorse Motors Ford in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in Western Canada

• Same owner since 1997

• Date code correct 170ci inline, six-cylinder engine

• Three-speed manual transmission

• Caspian Blue with Blue crinkle vinyl interior

• 13-inch wheels

Despite thorough research, it is still unknown which car first rolled off the assembly line, but this car is the first hardtop to wear a VIN, which makes it quite rare.

“Fria did learn that 100002 was scheduled for early assembly to allow time for shipping by rail to Brown Brothers Ford in Vancouver on Canada’s western coast. However, the Caspian Blue hardtop was somehow misrouted, eventually ending up at Whitehorse Motors in the Yukon Territory in May and totally missing the Mustang’s April 17 introduction,” says Mecum. “There was never a more unlikely car for the cold, rugged Yukon than a Mustang with a six-cylinder engine, three-speed stick and 13-inch tires. Whitehorse Motors installed a block heater, then used the car as a demonstrator until it was finally sold in the spring of 1965.”

If you are interested in buying this car, you better be well funded, but even if you are just interested in seeing the car or finding out how the bidding goes, the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana, runs from May 16-21 and you can get tickets right here.

A 170-cube engine backed by a three-speed transmission powers this rare, blue Mustang with a blue interior.

About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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