This Mustang 2+2 (VIN 5F09A322626) was built as a Special Order -DSO 89 - for Transportation Services and finished on the 13th. of October 1964.
The car was built in ordinary J-code Rangoon Red, but later transferred to another place within Ford for special treatment, where the special color Gold Metal Flake was applied as well as other goodies.
These modifications included Aircraft Driving Lights - visible in the lower front valance in the picture very similar to the original P51 Mustang concept car.
Another item of interest is the golden horse in the front grill corral.
The first factory pics of the golden Fastbacks were shot between the 4th March 1965 and 12th March 1965.
Picture courtesy Matthew Mark Chitwood, colored by W.Kohrn (original Photo Media pics were b/w)
However the request came too early.
Ford was not yet ready to provide such a car before September and the actual Bond filming started in early January 64 and ended in late August.
Still Ford followed this project mayby to gain at least some fame before the official movie start in the U.S. cinemas in December 1964, although first factory shots did not appear until March 65. So maybe another missed opportunity?
Pictures above: Klaus Schaefer
Picture on right: Matthew Mark Chitwood
Inside we'll find a special superior interior of black with golden vynil seat covers and similar colored accent treatment everywhere. This interior had a special code on the door tag.
Picture Klaus Schaefer
You can clearly spot the toggle switches from this point of view.
The car was stored before the B-J auction in a basement of the lottery winning lady.
Picture Matthew Mark Chitwood
The knock-off gas cap was fashioned after the wire-wheel knock-off spinners.
What happened to the car?
The speedometer still shows only 21.000 miles today, that does not speak for a lot of use. Indeed, the unique Mustang - after its successful promotion use - was stored for over 20 years in a garage of a Ford dealer until the son of that dealer (Brian) got it out and used it for drag racing. Not much time later - actually in 1988, the car appeared in a Mustang Monthly classified ad. Richard Lee saved the car and restored and detailed it in a 2 years lasting process to its former glory.
Mustang Illustrated featured it after the restoration was finished in 1990.
It had 3 other owners following. After ending up and residing at the Lance Cunningham Ford dealership in Knoxville, Tennessee it was given as a lottery prize via a radiostation to Anna Ruth C., living in Tennessee. Her nephew auctioned it off for her 6 months later at Barrett Jackson in 2001.
Ed H. bought the car for about 34.500 acc. from Barrett Jackson auction list (2001). He contacted us in 2011 and obviously still has the car in his storage.
Mustang Monthly did an article back then in May 1982 (or June 1984) based
on factory pictures of the car. Picture Mathhew Mark Chitwood
Mustang Illustrated followed the story up when the car first appeared in
public in 1990.
Pictuer Matthew Mark Chitwood
But what would it be without the respective engine? A Shelby modified engine with 305HP was installed delivering its power to a C4-Cruise-o-matic and a Thunderbolt 9" rearend axle with Traction-Lok-Differential. It would have been up to the power a true James Bond needs.
Picture courtesy Matthew Mark Chitwood
Other options are:
- Factory Air conditioning
- Power steering
- Clock in dash
- Disc brakes - power assisted
- Special floor mats
- Heavy Duty suspension
- GT dual exhaust system
- AM radio
- Rear electric antenna
- Seat belts
We've got some further
indication about the history from Mike in Florida in late 2007:
" I grew up in
Plymouth, Michigan. A friend of mine who's dad worked for Ford was able to get
his son (Brian Boland) a gold Mustang identical to the one you mention here.
I remember the overhead console and gold seats along with the unique front
piece with fog lights. Brian drove it for about two years just like it was
pictured. There was a large area I think on the hood where the gold metal
flake chipped off in large pieces. The cars was primered for a long time after.
Brian had numerious engine and trans mods completed by Doug Nash racing. I was
at Doug Nash on a couple of occasions with Brain and this car. He raced it at
both Detroit and Milan Dragways. Two tow bar brakets were installed on the
front of the car. The car in about 1971 was repainted at Dearborn Steel Tubing
(DST). I witnessed it being painted.
Brian worked there doing odd jobs more than anything. I think it was the Ford
connection that got him the job there. I moved from Plymouth and Michigan in
1972 and the last time I saw the car it was in gold metal flake but had not
been sanded and finished. I remember the wheels with gold inserts also."
Mike
Thanks, Mike
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