Overview
The Ford T5 is a rare car. Produced for the European German market with only a few hundred being delivered. However, the name Mustang was already trademarked and owned by two German companies Krupp and bicycle manufacturer Kreidler. This meant Ford could not use the brand name “Mustang” without a potentially long-drawn-out legal battle and for reasons unclear today declined the offer from Krupp to buy the rights to the name for $10,000.
As Ford’s internal product name for the Mustang was T5 they decided to badge the German cars as such, removing all references to the word Mustang with only the radiator grille remaining as the last Mustang memento.
The careful and detailed restoration was carried out over several years with the intention of producing a car that looked just like it did in 1965 and very clearly achieving that goal. Comes with its spare wheel and tools, matching boot mat and wheel cover.
So here we have a very unusual and incredibly rare Mustang and as far as we are aware the only T5 Convertible for sale in the world. Presenting in lovely fully restored condition throughout and is a total pleasure to drive.
Just back from our workshop after pre-sale checks where it also received a new service, engine tune and replacement of the points with electronic ignition.
Would you like to feel like James Bond? The same specification Mustang featured in the movie Goldfinger with Sean Connery on the Furka Pass in the Swiss mountains.
Read more about the T5’s history
Ford could have hardly anticipated this. When the company wanted to introduce its biggest hit of the 1960’s to the German market, a car that had broken sales records in the US, management in the US received an unpleasant surprise: The name “Mustang” had already been trademarked by two German companies, Krupp and bicycle manufacturer Kreidler.
Ford management saw little chance of success in a potentially long and drawn out legal battle, and for reasons unclear today the company declined an offer from Krupp to buy the rights to the name for $10,000.
Instead, they renamed the “Mustang” the “T5”. Why T5? Because it had been the internal Ford product code name of the Mustang during the development phase.
Now they could start, and Ford could do it in style. The T5 was advertised in Germany with great promotional expense and the successful model sold with operating instructions in German, which was rather unusual for imported cars at that time.
What makes a Mustang a T5?
To clarify, the DSO code (Domestic Special Order / District Code) is first referenced. This code provides the first information on whether an exported vehicle is involved.
At that time, Ford used DSO’s from 90 to 99 for exports, while for the T5 they used codes from 90 to 96. This means that all T5s have to have a DSO code in the 90’s.
The DSO code is found on a stamped metal plate with the respective number and located on the right or left inner fender.
The most obvious difference is the (missing) Mustang lettering that was replaced with a newly designed T5 emblem. For the first models, which were 1964 ½, only a decal borrowed from the Ford Comet was applied; starting in 1965 a T5 emblem made of metal was used.
This caused a bit of a problem. The actual Mustang emblem took up more space and required more attachment points than the T5 sign, so the fenders had to be drilled differently. Many of the 1964 models were modified in Germany so that either a new fender had to be installed or the existing Mustang holes had to be professionally plugged. Please note – every modification was done professionally
Only the pony symbol on the radiator grille remained as the last Mustang memento. Along with the purely cosmetic changes, there were also a few changes to the chassis. Because Ford USA felt that the original, fairly comfortable, chassis could not handle German roads, stiffer struts and shocks were installed. Last but not least, other headlights had to be installed due to the special German regulations.
All in all, these changes and the fact that only a few hundred units were exported to Europe make the T5 a true rarity.
In the 1960s there was a second sales channel in addition to the Ford dealers, though it was not open to everyone. Dependents of service personnel stationed with US Army units in Germany could buy a T5 through the PX system, and gasoline was available at the gas stations on base at a sharply reduced price. Some of these vehicles landed in German hands later on, if they were not shipped back to the US when the buyer’s deployment ended. The Army T5’s can be recognized by the speedometers that shows miles per hour; all others had km/h speedometers.
By the way, Mustangs had to be sold in Germany as the T5 until 1979. The naming rights were not available until then, and afterward the T5 was again a Mustang.
Interested? Contact either Adrian or Sam to book an appointment to view at our North Yorkshire showroom.
– Part exchanges considered.
– UK & Worldwide delivery.
– Finance options are available though our partners.
Showroom Appointment’s | Our Showroom is open by appointment only – Please contact us before traveling to confirm the car you are interested in is still available and to make arrangements to have the showroom open.
Specification
Year : 1965
Make : Ford T5 Mustang
Body Style : Convertible
Mileage : 28,000
Transmission : 4 Speed Manual
Engine : A-Code 289 V8 ( GT )
Exterior Colour : Wimbledon White
Interior Colour : Red
Drive Side : LHD
Registration : JWE 547C
Price : £SOLD