Goodrich-When Paul Jakey’s Mustang was built, a gallon of gas was 30 cents per gallon, the Beatles first arrived in America and a stamp cost 5 cents.
Today, 50 years after Jakey’s 1964 Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, it still turns heads.
‘My mother purchased the car about 15 years ago, then I got it about six years ago,? he said. ‘The car is about 70 percent original, with a 302 V-8 engine and stick shift on the floor. When it was new it had a three speed on the steering column. Mom just loved Mustangs and drove it to work each day near Cortez, Colorado. It’s interesting, too, that the VIN (vehicle identification number) has only 10 numbers. I’m sure they are much higher now.?
To commemorate the golden anniversary of the Mustang, Ford rolled out the next generation Mustang with a unique and limited 50th anniversary package. With a suggested retail price of $2,368 in 1964, the car was a bargain. Such a deal that in 1965, Mustang was Ford’s most successful launch since the Model A.
Rick Bishop, president of the Mustang Club of West Michigan, representing more than 250 owners, said there are still plenty of 1964-65 cars out there.
‘The cars have held up pretty well for 50 years,? he said ‘It’s still a big market. The cars are old, but still going.?
‘The Mustang is popular and available for a decent price, many are under $25,000,? he said. ‘Compared to an overpriced Corvette, it’s a bargain. The body style is attractive and really gained in popularity through the changes over 50 years. The Mustang has undergone several transformations to its current sixth generation’and today has tallied sales of more than 9 million vehicles.?
Bishop said the earliest versions? the 1964? models, but coded by Ford and titled as 1965 models? were made in Dearborn on March 9, 1964 and introduced to the public on April 17, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair.
‘That car was just sold for $35,000,? he said. ‘It was in pretty rough shape, but still really nice. The cars just keep going year after year’the GT 500 and Shelby Mustangs help keep the car popular. It’s still a great American muscle car.?