Caspian Blue 1965 Mustang Fastback has the GT goodies minus the badges and the branding.
This video review of a 1965 Ford Mustang “Pre-GT” comes to us from the YouTubers MyRod.com. With the help of Michael from the father-and-son team of classic car experts at MyRod.com, we learn all about the “Pre-GT” followed by a look at the early performance model on the move.
Meet the Pre-GT
The video begins with channel host Michael giving us a rundown of the first generation Ford Mustang, the arrival of the GT package in April of 1965 and the vehicles that came beforehand with the same options as the GT. Those cars with the GT options prior to the introduction of the GT have become known as “Pre-GT” models, as they have all of the key components without the GT badging.
For example, the gorgeous Caspian Blue 1965 Ford Mustang fastback in this video has the key features of the GT package, but having been built in January, it was simply a car with an array of go-fast options. It features the A-Code 289 V8, disc brakes, a quick-ratio steering box and the performance suspension setup, so had this car been built in July or August of 1965, it would have been a GT, but in January, it was just a beefed-up Mustang.
This particular car also has the factory-option Cobra high-rise intake manifold and a set of aftermarket headers, so it is a little stronger than your average 1964 Pre-GT, but with options like the four-speed manual transmission, the rally pack gauges and a full shift console, this car was pretty much loaded.
Driving Caspian Blue
After Michael gives us a look at the 1965 Ford Mustang, he fires it up and lets us hear the healthy grumble of the lightly-modified 289-cubic inch V8.
From there, it was only to the open road, where he put the Pre-GT through its paces with nothing but good things to say. He even makes one fairly hard pull through the gears, giving us a great chance to hear the A-Code V8 roar.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
