One thing about working in the Petersen Tower on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles is - it sure gets interesting. The Petersen Publishing archives, a national treasure from the late Robert Petersen's company, remains in this building where we find interesting images from time to time.
We found these images in the files from an early 1964 Motor Trend road test and would like to share them with you. This is what appears to be a 289 High Performance V-8 equipped '64 1/2 Mustang hardtop. Although this is clearly a 289 High Performance V-8 with four-speed, we're not convinced this is a K-code hardtop because the vehicle identification number is filled in and painted over, which means this is likely an engineering mule.
Close scrutiny of the Hi-Po fender badges shows Fairlane Hi-Po badging. The Autolite 4100 carburetor has an automatic choke. The view from underneath shows a five-bolt bellhousing and Top Loader transmission along with a scattershield. We like the period California manufacturer's license plates, which remain much the same way today in the current colors.
We have thumbed through Motor Trend from 1964 and have never been able to find a published road test. We only know these images were in the archives.
See how many things you can find about this Mustang that are interesting and lets hear from you at Jim.Smart@sorc.com or www.mustangmonthly.com.