Description
Selling on behalf of private collector.
Unique opportunity to acquire a part of automotive history. This is the oldest Mustang in the UK, owned for 37 years. VIN 100173 is verified within register of pre-production examples boasting the original 260 V8 motor coupled with C4 transmission.
One of only 15 known pre-production hand-built Mustang’s known to exist Worldwide, one of which sits in the Henry Ford Museum.
Built at the Allen Park “Pilot” plant, Ford Motor Company produced around 180 pre-production units between February and March 1964, fine tuning design features and processes prior to entering production. These were produced with a number of unique “on the fly” production elements that did not feature in production. This included hand finished inner wheel housing to facilitate the roof mechanism, leaded flitch panels and inner “B” posts to enhance the finish, special lower quarter panel drain caps, punched door button holes, bespoke grille along with a number of other variations.
These vehicles were primarily used for testing, destruction and various other “teasing” temporary product placement initiatives. Near all were destroyed by Ford Company as never planned to be sold.
This particular car was specifically shipped to Ford UK as a study vehicle and registered by Ford Motor Company Essex on 8th April 1964, a full 9 days before the world release at the New York Fair. It is pictured and reviewed in the Autocar 17th April 1964 Edition as part of a 3-page feature.
Carrying the unique 05C factory date stamp this vehicle was meticulously restored around 13 years ago using original sourced date stamped parts having only covered around 2500 miles since, still presenting beautifully. A Portfolio of provenance including numerous restoration photographs are included along with original pre-production labels, radiator support markings template, and publications including Autocar publication and pre-release confidential dealer memo’s .
In January 2019, Barrett Jackson sold a 6 Cylinder Coupe pre-production vehicle at $192500 at the Scottsdale Auction. More recently two other convertibles were consigned to Mecum with anticipated pre-buyer premium levels of between $300-350K.
Serious offers invited over $200K. Shipment World-Wide can be arranged. Discretion assured including NDA if appropriate. Specialist inspection by appointment only. Vehicle located South of England.
Clean vehicle title in hand.
