Take a Tour of Henry Ford II’s Mustang Prototype

By John Coyle - December 31, 2022

What would you say if someone rolled into your local car show and purported to have an original 1963 Ford Mustang?

Given what an important part of Ford’s history the Mustang is, it seems impossible that a prototype originally built for Henry Ford II could have spent years rusting away in a Michigan garage. But in this episode of Barn Find Hunters, host Tom Cotter explains that’s exactly what happened — and the story is fascinating. To make sure your head is properly spun, I should start by saying this black beauty is a 1963 model, which makes it the very first Pony ever built.

The car’s one-off status means it features plenty of differences from the production models which would eventually follow. And as owner Art Cairo humorously explains, that meant he lost plenty of points on the concours when it was judged. For one thing, the vinyl top has padding beneath it, and the fender badges typically found on early Mustangs are absent. Open the door, and even more differences emerge. Most notably, the seats are leather, which wasn’t an option on first-generation cars, and in a luxurious twist, the headliner and sun visors are covered in leather too.

There’s also the fact that the door hinges are chromed, and no spot welds are visible on the sills. Everything has been filled in with lead and smoothed, like you’d see on a high-end custom of the period. As you’d expect, there are a few mechanical differences too. Unlike other first-generation Mustangs, the prototype features disc brakes, which were cutting-edge technology back then, and power steering. The V8 also features dual points instead of the typical vacuum advance, an aluminum water pump, and an adorable brown Bakelite solenoid. For added refinement, there’s even insulation on the underside of the hood!

But the craziest detail about this one-of-a-kind pony is that at the time, nobody thought it was particularly special. After the Mustang was approved for production, Henry Ford II simply gave it to his chauffeur, who drove it like it was just another piece of Detroit iron. By the time Cairo actually purchased the car almost 50 years ago, the salt of the Michigan roads had taken its toll, and the floorboards and quarter panels were all rusted out. Since then, they’ve been replaced with — quite costly — NOS panels from the period, which highlight just how seriously the restoration was taken. Watch the video to learn more details on the very first Mustang!

Photos: YouTube