Ford Mustang 289 Notchback (1965)

In April 1964 at the World's Fair, New York, Ford introduced the Mustang. Named after the legendary P51 fighter plane from World War II, Ford's most iconic post-war car was undoubtedly the Mustang. When produced, it was nothing short of a sensation thanks to its aggressive yet slender looks, staggering performance, and affordability. America was quick to adopt this sensational automobile with sales figures passing the 1 million mark in March 1966.

This superb example was sold new to its first private owner Dave Tallaksen in 1965 in the stunning colour of Guardsman Blue. Dave immediately raced the car out of the box, campaigning it in races across the Southeast of America. During the 1965 season, Tallaksen set the track record at the Savannah International Speedway, which would not be broken until the following year.

Gene Felton (four time IMSA winner) purchased the car from Tallaksen in late 1965. Being on a limited budget, Gene could not afford the new Shelby prepared Mustang, so he did the next best thing and upgraded the car to Shelby Specifications. Gene went on to complete full race seasons in the SCCA Regional and National Championships in 1966 and 1967, winning many races and finishing within the top three each season, with an overall win of the Southeast division in '67. The Mustang was also invited to the American Road race of Champions each year with Gene piloting, and gaining 6th overall at Riverside, California in 1966. Gene also notes that this result was with "stock steel rims after the magnesium race wheels were stolen just before the race". On July 4th 1967, Gene entered The Paul Revere 250 Trans Am race held at Daytona, leading the field until engine faults side-lined him.

Gene retired the car after the 1967 season as it was in need of repair following a racing incident, and he felt that a Camaro from there forwards would be a more up to date alternative. The Mustang sat in limbo until the late 1980's when Felton saw an opportunity to restore it back to its former glory. Post restoration it was immediately raced in vintage races sanctioned by the SVRA and HSR from 1989 through 1993, gaining a win at Road Atlanta in 1989 on its first outing! In 1992, it became one of the first historic racers to gain SCCA Certification, confirming the genuine race history as well as having been prepared in a correct historical manner. Gene later sold the Mustang to Richard Amsden from Florida in June 1993. The car remained in the USA until it was purchased by Anders Nannerup and subsequently exported to Denmark in 2006.

During Anders' ownership, it was raced for a number of years across Denmark with great success. In 2007 with Anders piloting, the car claimed a class win in the Grand Prix Denmark as well as 3rd overall in the Danish Vintage Championships. In 2008, Anders subjected the car to another full and comprehensive restoration returning finishing it in the livery it was raced in at the 1967 Paul Revere 250 Trans Am race at Daytona. Anders also competed with the car at the prestigious Goodwood Revival. The car's most recent owner purchased the car in April 2015 and during his tenure the car has been maintained by WDK Motorsports; very recently it has had a full and comprehensive engine rebuild to the highest of standards.

Today this Mustang presents exceptionally coming directly from the aforementioned work. Accompanied by full UK registration, a most exciting race history both in period and modern day racing and an exceptional history file, this superb example is ready to be raced competitively by its new owner immediately.