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Ford historians have done a great job covering almost every aspect of the Mustang’s 50 year run. From the very first Mustang sold to the one with VIN #00001, Ford has done an excellent job of keeping track of its important and historically significant Mustangs. The owners of these cars know these are more than just another Mustang, and Bob Fria of Escondido owns the very first pre-production Mustang to get a serial number.
That makes his ‘65 hardtop a very special car indeed, and as U-T San Diego reports, Fria stumbled across this find-of-a-lifetime quite by accident. Right place, right time, and the right car.
Fria says he found the ‘65 Mustang while looking through classified ads, with a ‘65 Mustang six-cylinder for sale in Temecula, California catching his eye. Being the meticulous type, Fria asked the other owner to read him the serial number off the car…and he instantly knew what it was. A short while later he bought the Mustang, and has owned it since 1997.
A native of Colorado, the 71-year old Fria has been collecting Fords since he was just 15 years old, though this particular car is his pride and joy. Fria has been invited by Ford to show off his car as part of the Mustang’s 50th anniversary celebration party at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this April. If you’re in town for the big show, make sure to stop by and say hi to Bob, and the very first Mustang as well.
