If you’ve ever dreamed of building a 1965 Ford Mustang from the ground-up with clean, unmolested metal, we have good news: now you can. Ford announced today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas that, in partnership with vintage sheetmetal supplier Dynacorn International, it now offers brand new body shells for 1964.5, 1965, and 1966 Mustang convertibles as restoration parts.
Owners, restorers, and custom shops alike can now purchase an all-new body shell directly from Dynacorn. According to Ford, these licensed-and-approved body shells are fabricated with stronger steel grades and are built using modern welding equipment, but are otherwise identical to the original. Ford suggests other parts and subsystems can be attained from donor Mustangs, but thanks to an already massive aftermarket parts network, an all-new “old” Mustang could theoretically be built from the ground-up.
“The 1964-1966 Mustang is the most restored vintage vehicle, but the number of original bodies is shrinking every year,” says Dennis Mondrach, licensing manager at Ford Restoration parts. “Most of the original Mustangs left in scrapyards are rusted or wrecked beyond repair. This new shell is made of virgin metal. It comes rustproofed, and after final adjustment and finish preparation, it is ready for painting and final assembly.”
Sound familiar? It should. Under Ford’s auspices and pursuant to a licensing agreement, Dynacorn already offers brand-spankin’ new bodies-in-white for 1967-1970 Mustang fastbacks, in addition to the first-generation (1966-1977) Bronco sport-utility. Dynacorn has a similar agreement with General Motors, allowing them to also offer new body shells for the 1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro coupe and convertible, the 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible, the 1969 Firebird coupe, and the 1970 Chevelle coupe and convertible.
Ford spokesman Richard Truett says the convertible – one of three bodystyles offered between 1964 and 1966 – was chosen because it’s favored by collectors, and typically commands higher resale and restoration costs. Though the original fastback/ 2+2 body also has a sizable following, Truett says there presently no plans for its reproduction.
With the exception of the hood and front fenders, Dynacorn’s convertible body shell includes every single piece of sheetmetal needed to build a first-gen Mustang convertible. Pricing is currently set at about $15,000; crating and handling charges will likely add another $495 to the price tag.
