Classic Cars with History: Ford Mustang Coupe 1964 shortened

Have you ever seen a classic Ford Mustang like this one? Because I must confess that, although I am very fond of the Ford Mustang (to the point of having owned one a few years ago), I had never seen this experimental example. A shortened coupé, of which only a single unit exists and which will be shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

The story of this concept has to do with the search for what would become the final Mustang model. Lee Iacocca and his design team had planned a Mustang oriented more towards being a four-seat hatchback than a coupé. However, work began on two-seat models with a shortened chassis, based on an idea that was to be developed on the fastback coupé.

In October 1964, a two-seat Mustang, made of clay and cut short at the rear by more than 15 centimeters from the original dimensions, appeared within Ford’s internal design department. Very soon a problem arose: they could not find the best way to place the fuel tank and the spare wheel while leaving some room for luggage in a two-seater shortened to this extent.

Having built just 10 units of the same Ford, one of which is the one we present here, the project was shelved. However, one of these prototypes has been rescued from oblivion, which, as a curiosity, was stolen by its own creator so that Ford would not destroy it. A certain Will Gardner took it from Ford’s own storage facilities and kept it hidden in a place known only to him. Of course, if this Gardner had paid the rent on the place where he kept his prized creation, everything would have been much easier. With the police on his trail, Gardner had to disappear and the car ended up in the hands of Ford’s insurance company.

Over the years, this pony was owned by an insurance company executive, who finally sold it to its current owner. The vehicle is completely original, was built in fibreglass and fitted with a 302 V8, a larger engine than those offered in the Mustangs of 1964.

Almost 47 years later, the 1964 two-seat Mustang with a shortened chassis (nicknamed Shorty) will make its appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, in a category called What Were They Thinking? created to showcase curious historical models or oddities that have given rise to other, better-known models. And it’s no wonder, with this true curiosity of the muscle car genre.

Via | Speed

Technical specifications of this car

CoupeFord Mustang6 versions · from 62,405 €