Ford Mustang The First Generation, The Early Years Podcast

Do you own an early-year Mustang?

Yes.

How long have you owned your ride?

4 years this past December.

Have you named your car?

Yes. I named her Merida from the Disney movie Brave. My license plate says BRVHRT ( Braveheart), and my last name is Wallace.

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

I upgraded the front suspension. I did the Shelby drop and installed GT springs. Wilsood disc brakes. I upgraded to a 9" rear-end with 3.55 gears. Replaced the 3-speed automatic transmission with a T-5.

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

None. I am completely finished. I even signed my glove box door.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Today's guest is Jon Davis -- he can trace his Mustang roots back to the original owner. How cool would it be if we all could step into that time machine? Jon, welcome to Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast.

Quick recap:

In this episode of the Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast, host Doug interviewed John Davis about his 1965 Ford Mustang, which John purchased in 2011 from its third owner. John shared details about the car's history, including its assembly in San Jose, California, in August 1965, and its original LA market specifications. The Mustang, which John affectionately calls "Pony," has been well-maintained with recent suspension work and brake repairs, though John prefers its unrestored condition with its patina and original parts.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or maybe a Classic Falcon or Galaxy? I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. And you get to turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

ClassicFordRentals.com

Eric Reding

From what I can see from the pictures, today's guest is all about keeping it pure. His 1966 Wimbledon White Mustang Coupe with a 6-banger 200 under the hood is so clean you could just as easily see it on the showroom floor 60 years ago. Excited to talk. Eric Reding, welcome to the Ford Mustang: The Early Years podcast.

Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast -- Guest Interview Application

============

Do you own an early-year Mustang?

Yes

If you own a Mustang, how long have you owned your ride?

4 years

If you own a Mustang or classic car, have you named your car? If so, what is his/her name?

The Old Lady

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

Engine repaint; suspension refresh; cooling system repair; exhaust manifold replace; dual bowl install; under hood repair/repaint; so much tuning

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

Eventual interior door paint refresh; muffler replace; T5 maybe one day

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

The podcast episode featured Mike Clemens, who shared the story of his 1965 Fastback Mustang from the movie "The Bucket List." Mike explained how the car was purchased for the film and later sold, only to be reacquired 15 years later. He detailed the car's modifications for the movie, including a roll bar and square tube steel for the sideswipe scene. Mike also discussed his passion for classic Mustangs, having owned three similar cars before this one. The episode concluded with a discussion about the potential for renting classic cars for various productions and events.

Bucket List Race Scene: https://youtu.be/mtZR_5sBqmI?si=XCZ_ZDlGypH18jqk

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? Mustang. F-Series. Survivor. Patina. Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Now, onto today's guest. What could be more fun than one Classic Mustang? TWO!! Here to share her Mustang story and how she got into a 1965 and a 1972 pony, welcome Jen Ketrow to Ford Mustang The Early Years Podcast.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Today on Ford Mustang: The Early Years, we’re diving into the journey of a lifelong Mustang dream—centered on a 1965 Fastback that’s evolved through multiple rebuilds, setbacks, and reinventions. From a rough Craigslist purchase with questionable prior work, to a budget-minded daily driver, to a full-blown high-horsepower street-and-track build, this story captures the heart of Mustang ownership: passion, persistence, and the emotional pull of a car that just won’t let go. It’s a testament to the imperfect, personal, and ever-evolving first-gen Mustang—Vik Day, welcome to the show.

Vik Day - today's guest

He bought his dream car—a 1965 Mustang Fastback—in December 2018, nearly 20 years after first wanting one. Before that, he’d owned and driven performance cars like a Porsche 996 GT3, an air-cooled 911, and even a 1970 Bronco he quickly sold. But he kept coming back to the pull of a first-gen Mustang. He found a Wimbledon White Fastback on Craigslist in Denver. He shipped it to Texas, only to discover it was far rougher than advertised: a non-original T-code car with a tired 289, questionable mechanical work, unsafe wiring, poor rust repairs, and dangerously low oil pressure. Still, it had a beautiful red deluxe pony interior and working factory R12 A/C—enough to justify saving it.

He began by prioritizing safety and drivability with upgraded brakes, suspension components, fuel and brake lines, a clutch conversion, and a full electrical cleanup, choosing not to rebuild the original engine since it was already near the end of its life. He then installed a budget-friendly Blueprint 302 with Holley Sniper EFI to create a reliable daily driver that made strong rear-wheel power and sounded great, but the engine suffered a catastrophic bearing failure after just 6,500 miles, leading to a warranty rebuild and months of downtime. Now he’s fully committed to building the ultimate dual-purpose Mustang—comfortable enough for street use and a car seat, yet capable on track in Houston heat—with a 507-hp Ford Racing 363, TKX transmission, upgraded suspension, steering, chassis stiffening, and supporting hardware. Along the way, he tested his loyalty by buying other Mustangs, including a pristine Rangoon Red ’65 Fastback and a high-school-dream Foxbody, but kept coming back to the original T-code; despite its flaws, it remains his favorite, and he plans to complete the latest evolution, or is he?

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

"My 67 mustang has always been my dream car. It's a Mustang coupe 289 with a C4 transmission, power steering, power brakes, and deluxe interior. I've owned it for 3 years already and I have done extensive work to get it to where I want it to be. The Mustang is mostly up to my standards but the work never ends on these cars. Currently I'm working on the front floors and going to add factory style AC to it." Edgar, welcome to the podcast.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

MotorCity Grind IG Page

https://www.instagram.com/motorcitygrind17/

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Ford Mustang community, our guest today is one of the most versatile racers in motorsports—Stephen Cox. He’s competed on dirt and asphalt, ovals and road courses, open wheel, stock cars, and even off-road desert racing—and he’s won in all of them. With 34 career victories, 124 Top 5 finishes, Stephen’s resume is as deep as it is diverse.

He’s also CEO of Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions, a familiar face on Fox and NBCSN, and the proud owner of Blue Thunder, a Fox-body Mustang with its own racing pedigree.

Let's talk to Stephen. Welcome to the podcast.

Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast

If you own a Mustang, how long have you owned your ride?

43 years

If you own a Mustang or classic car, have you named your car? If so, what is his/her name?

Blue Thunder

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

• Performance suspension
• Racing engine
• 5 speed, 9" rear end

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

New interior this winter

Links: 

• Blue Thunder on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565384990613 
• Blue Thunder on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theblue_thunder_/ 
• McGunegill Engines - https://www.mcgunegillengines.com/ 
• Stifflers Engineering - https://buystifflers.com/ 
• Cold Case Radiators - https://www.coldcaseradiators.com 

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin,’ and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Long before we get to disc brake upgrades, Shelby drops and changing gearing ratios, we've got to bake our combustible recipe. Every engine needs five things to roar to life: fuel, air, spark, compression, and timing. Miss just one, and you’re probably listening to this episode on the side of the road. Today, we break down the mechanics behind the machines—and the lessons they teach us about precision, balance, and getting it all to fire in sync. Welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years and Ford Trucks, the Early Years Podcasts, where today we will get you tuned up and on the road. Let's bring in our resident expert, Jonathan, welcome back to the podcast -- it's been way too long.

That’s the whole recipe for a running engine:

• Fuel – Correct amount of gasoline delivered into the cylinder.
• Air – Oxygen mixed in the right ratio with fuel for combustion.
• Spark – Ignition source (spark plug, or compression ignition in a diesel) to light the mixture.
• Compression – Pistons squeezing the air/fuel mixture to the right pressure for efficient burn.
• Timing – All of the above happen at exactly the right moment in the engine cycle.

If any one of those is missing or out of sync, the engine won’t run properly.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

-Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge