1965-1969 MUSTANG GT

Ford Motor Company introduced the 1965 Mustang GT (Grand Touring) on April 17, 1965 one year after the successful introduction of the 1964 Mustang. Earliest documented 1965 Mustang GT was built on 02-20-65, the Mustang GT was not a separate model but a RPO (regular production option) that could be ordered with the Mustang Coupe, Convertible or 2+2 Fastback. Ford officially called the option the 'GT Equipment Group'.

Model years 1965-1966 included a V8 4V engine, and a combination of RPO (regular production options) plus GT exterior badges, dual 'trumpet' exhaust, lower body stripes and grill mounted fog lights. Model years 1967 and 1968, required an additional cost V8 engine and a combination of RPO (regular production options) plus dual exhaust, GT exterior badges, body stripes and grill mounted fog lights. Model year 1969, the final year, required an additional cost V8 engine and a combination of RPO (regular production options) plus lower body stripes, hood scoop and hood locks. The GT Equipment Group was positioned as a performance version of the standard Mustang to capitalize on Ford's Total Performance image and Ford's tie-in with Shelby American.

1965 MUSTANG GT (15,000+ built with the GT option, 2.7 % of the total Production)

   - 289 4V 'A' code engine standard, 289 HP 4V 'K' code engine optional

   - Fully synchronized floor shift three speed manual transmission

   - Dual straight through low restriction exhaust system with flared/trumpet exhaust tips

   - Special handling package (22:1 steering, heavy duty suspension, larger 13/16" front sway bar)

   - Four piston K/H manual Front Disc brakes

   - 4" Fog Lamps mounted in grille and a hood lip molding

   - Five dial (140 MPH speedometer) full instrument cluster

   - GT fender badges and lower body stripes

   - Rear Quarter panel ornaments deleted on Coupes and Convertibles

1966 MUSTANG GT (25,517 + built with the GT option, 4.1 % of the total Production)

Basically unchanged from 1965, with the addition of screw-on GT fuel cap and the 'floating' re-design of the grille mounted horse/corral. Some of the 1965 GT components were added as no cost upgrades to the standard 1966 model, like the Five dial full instrument cluster and the Hood lip molding.

1967 MUSTANG GT (24,079 + built with the GT option, 5.1 % of the total Production)

- Four V8 engines (289 2V, 289 4V, 289 HP, 390) all available at additional cost

- Fully synchronized floor shift three speed manual transmission

- Four piston K/H Power Front Disc brakes

- Dual low restriction exhaust system with single transverse muffler and quad tips

- 4" Fog Lamps mounted in grille

- F70-14 Wide oval tires on 5.50" rims

- Special handling package (22:1 steering, heavy duty suspension, larger front sway bar)

- GT letters (manual transmission) GTA badges (automatic transmission at additional cost) and triple lower body stripes

- Screw-on GT fuel cap, Pop-open GT fuel cap included with additional cost Exterior Decor Group

1968 MUSTANG GT (17,458 built with the GT option, 5.5 % of the total Production)

   - Three V8 engines (302, 390, 428) all available at additional cost

   - Fully synchronized floor shift three speed manual transmission

   - Unlike 1967 GT, power disc front brakes (single piston) were available at additional cost

   - 4" Fog Lamps mounted in grille

   - Dual low restriction exhaust system with single transverse muffler and quad tips

   - GT badges and upper body "C" stripes

   - Special handling package (22:1 steering, heavy duty suspension, larger front sway bar)

   - F70-14 Wide oval tires on 6.00" rims

   - Painted 12 slot Styled steel wheels with chrome trim rings and chrome GT center caps

   - Pop-open GT fuel cap

1969 MUSTANG GT (5,396 + built with the GT option, 1.8 % of the total Production)

- Five V8 engines (351 2V, 352 4V, 390 4v, 428 4V, 428 4V Ram Air) all available at additional cost

- Power disc front brakes (single piston) were available at additional cost

- Fully synchronized floor shift three speed manual transmission

- Dual low restriction exhaust system with quad tips

- F70-14 Wide oval tires on 6.00" rims

- Painted 12 slot Styled steel wheels with chrome trim rings and chrome GT center caps

- Special handling package (22:1 steering, heavy duty suspension, larger front sway bar)

- Non-functional hood scoop with integrated turn signal indicators, or functional 'Shaker' hood air scoop with 428 4V Cobra Jet Ram-Air engine

- Pin type hood locks

- Lower body stripes (no GT badges)

- Pop-open GT fuel cap

SUMMARY

With the introduction and popularity of the 1969 Mach 1, the Mustang GT option entered it's final year. In fact, the 1969 Mustang dealer sales brochure dedicated less than 40% of a single page at the back of the booklet. Only 5,396 1969 Mustang GT's were sold, less than 25% of the peak year 1966 when Ford sold 25,517 GT's. Ford didn't offer a Mustang GT again until 1982, and reintroduced the Mustang GT, now a separate model, with an advertising headline "THE BOSS IS BACK!".

The Fox body 1982 Mustang GT (302 HO 2V, 157 HP) was Ford's first Mustang GT in thirteen years. In 1982 Ford sold 24,799 Mustang GT Hatchbacks (a GT convertible was not available). The Mustang GT Hatchback accounted for 19% of total 1982 Mustang production. Ford Motor Company has been building and selling the Mustang GT from 1982 right up to the present time. It is one of their most popular Mustang models and sets the standard for all of the American built Pony-Muscle cars.

MUSTANG GT LINKS

Mustang Forums

1965-1966 Mustang GT Identification

Mustang Monthly GT History

1968 Bullitt Mustang

1969 Mustang GT Registry

Mustang Club of America

Thanks for visiting and continue to look to the MCCM web site www.midcomustang.com to provide relative information dedicated to the preservation, care, history and enjoyment of vintage model Ford Mustangs.

Untitled

MID-COUNTY MUSTANG/CAPRI
541 Route 100 (Box 777)
Uwchland, PA 19480
Toll Free: 1-800-358-8081
Email: midcomustang@att.net