Photo: Auctions America
When Ford higher-ups gave the original 1964 Ford Mustang's design team the order to pen the pony car, only 5 details were mandatory, chief among which was to come with (bucket) seating for four people.
Other than that, the Blue Oval wanted the 1964 Ford Mustang to boast with a shifter mounted in the floor, weigh less than 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) and measure less than 180 inches (4,572 mm) in length, cost less than $2,500 and to be offered with multiple mills.
Lincoln-Mercury's project design chief Joe Oros gave Ford just what he was orderd and the rest is history. Now at its sixth iteration, the Mustang didn't lost a bit of its original appeal from the swinging '60s, but the pony car also spawned a short wheelbase concept vehicle dubbed the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang III.
Nicknamed Shorty, this one-of-a-kind 'Stang has a wheelbase that's 16 in (40.6 cm) shorter than that of the fastback. Vince Gardner, the man that penned it, decided fiberglass is the material to go for the body shell, but the new proportions weren't the only changes made over the first generation 1964 Ford Mustang.
Six months after that incident, the prototype pony was found by the police, after which it was sold to a man from Ohio. 47 years since this man became the owner of arguably the most sought-after classic Ford Mustang out there, time has come to part with it and let a new generation of car collectors to enjoy it.
To be offered at auction in late March, 2015, by Auctions America, the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang III Shorty factory prototype is not a cheap motor considering how unique it is and its pedigree, as well as the caring owner that kept it working and in tip-top condition for nearly half a century. If you're interested in making this Mustang your own, estimates recommend you to prepare from $400,000 to a whopping $600,000.
Lincoln-Mercury's project design chief Joe Oros gave Ford just what he was orderd and the rest is history. Now at its sixth iteration, the Mustang didn't lost a bit of its original appeal from the swinging '60s, but the pony car also spawned a short wheelbase concept vehicle dubbed the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang III.
Nicknamed Shorty, this one-of-a-kind 'Stang has a wheelbase that's 16 in (40.6 cm) shorter than that of the fastback. Vince Gardner, the man that penned it, decided fiberglass is the material to go for the body shell, but the new proportions weren't the only changes made over the first generation 1964 Ford Mustang.
Under the hood, Shorty is equipped with a 260 V8 bored out to 302 cubic inches (5.0L)
This mill is fed by three carburetors, a classic setup for pony and muscle cars. Ford Motor Company never really wanted for Shorty to become a mass-made product, which is why after promotional duties were over, Gardner stole the prototype 'Stang on May 2 of 1965 in order to save it from the crusher's ruthless claws.Six months after that incident, the prototype pony was found by the police, after which it was sold to a man from Ohio. 47 years since this man became the owner of arguably the most sought-after classic Ford Mustang out there, time has come to part with it and let a new generation of car collectors to enjoy it.
To be offered at auction in late March, 2015, by Auctions America, the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang III Shorty factory prototype is not a cheap motor considering how unique it is and its pedigree, as well as the caring owner that kept it working and in tip-top condition for nearly half a century. If you're interested in making this Mustang your own, estimates recommend you to prepare from $400,000 to a whopping $600,000.
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