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Hagerty’s latest Barn Find Hunter episode takes a look at one of the first Mustang prototypes built for none other than Henry Ford II.
This prototype, known as The Deuce’s Coupe, was specifically designed for Henry Ford II. He prefers cars with black exteriors and black leather interiors, so building the car is centered around this detail. Being a pre-production 1963 model, this is likely one of the oldest and rarest Ford Mustangs on the planet.
Henry Ford II’s 1963 Ford Mustang Prototype
The current owner bought this car for $500 in 1975. When he bought it, it wasn’t in the best condition and he has since completely restored it. As a prototype, there were several features on the car that did not make it to the production Mustang, which was unveiled in 1964.
Inside, there are black leather seats, a headliner, and sun visors. This type of leather interior was very unusual for the time and did not feature in production Mustangs of the day. There are also interior details including the knobs and the glove box cover, made of teak wood.
At car shows, the owner explained that he was marked down because the car did not appear to be a true stock example. Since the parts are still being made for the production car, parts like the fog light switch which is a push button that lights up instead of a pull switch that doesn’t light up can confuse those who question its authenticity.
Gale Halderman, the man who built the car, has confirmed this. The glove box is signed by Edsel Ford II, the son of Henry Ford II, and the sun visor on the passenger side is signed by Gale Halderman.
This car came from the Ford Allen Park Pilot Plant, where the current owner worked for over 20 years. After Henry Ford II owned it, he apparently gave the car to his chauffeur who later sold it to a friend from whom the current owner purchased it.
The Rarest Ford Mustang In Existence
As a prototype, this car is hand built and unlike the production models, these cars do not have any spot welding. When the owner was restoring the car, he found “Henry Ford’s Car” handwritten on one of the engine parts.
During restoration, some elements are no longer saved and need to be replaced. The owner explained that the vehicle also had a retrofitted alternator whereas originally it would have had a generator.
Originally the car had different wheels which Ford didn’t like. He swapped them for stylish steel wheels that remain on the car to this day. No expense was spared on this prototype, it featured a padded vinyl roof and a die-cast chrome plate under the rubber-covered pedals.
While there are other 1963 Mustang prototypes, this is probably the rarest because it was Henry Ford II’s actual car.
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