1966 Ford Mustang V8

A 1966 289cu V8 auto hardtop that has spent the majority of its life in sunny California is for sale at the Classic and Sportscar Centre in Yorkshire. What makes it unusual is that this 66,000-mile car has largely been untouched by the hand of the restorer in its 53-year life.

“Rarely do you come across cars that have been so untouched,” says Andrew Welham from the vendor. “It has never been what I would call a bad car, which is what makes it different to so many Mustangs that we see. There has, of course, been maintenance and it has clearly had a respray, but it hasn’t undergone anything approaching a full restoration. There are no signs of any corrosion and the underside is outstanding as you might expect of a Californian car.”

It also comes with a significant history file, which Welham says is unusual for imported Mustangs of this age.

“There’s an original instruction manual – what we’d call a service book – with service stamps from its early life,” he says. “It was purchased new by a World War II naval veteran in April ’66 and there’s documentation to show that it stayed in California up until its importation to the UK in 2002.

“That’s the appeal of this Mustang. It’s a highly original and genuine car.”

The Mustang, whose most recent owner had the car for 15 years as part of an extensive collection, is priced at £23,995 and will come with a full year’s MOT.

Classic and Sportscar Centre, West Knapton, Yorkshire, Tel: 01944542970, classicandsportscar.ltd.uk