Carmakers consider it a big milestone when they officially start production of a new car. But before officially starting production, carmakers also build pre-production units. This Ford Mustang is one of the pre-production units of the original 1964 pony car. Not many of them exist until today, but one of them is showing up for sale at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale event in March.

One Of 15 Pre-Production 05C Mustangs

Pre-production Mustang side
Via Mecum Auctions

There are many reasons why carmakers build pre-production units. For instance, carmakers build pre-production units to serve as promotional cars for dealer advertising, press releases and even crash testing. These are some reasons why Ford built between 180 and 200 pre-production Mustangs, although only 15 verified units still exist today.

RELATED: Supercar Blondie Gets First Pre-Production Review Of The New EV HummerFord officially commenced mass production of the Mustang on March 9, 1964 (09C units) and launched the pony car to the public on April 17, 1964. While all pre-production Mustangs have a date code of 05C, they were not necessarily built on March 5, 1964; the code means Ford built them before March 9, 1964. This red-and-white Mustang Convertible is one of them.

Four Mustang Owners Since New

Pre-production Mustang interior
Via Mecum Auctions

Featuring an exterior finished Rangoon Red with a white soft top and black interior, this 05C Mustang has a frame date code of December 1963. Power comes from a 260-cubic-inch V-8 engine mated with to a C4 automatic transmission. Features include power steering and brakes, Rally Pac and radio.

While Ford may not have intended pre-production 05C Mustangs for sale to the public, the first owner of this red pony purchased it on May 31, 1967, from Mathison Motor Company in Ames, Iowa. The original owner had possession of the 05C Mustang until September 2000 when his/her son acquired its ownership.

RELATED: Why The 1964 Mustang Launch Was Such A Major EventMore than six years after in December 2006, the third owner purchased this 05C Mustang in December 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia. During this ownership, the Mustang underwent concours restoration (completed in 2009). The current owner bought this restored pony in July 2021 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Restored Classic Wins Multiple Awards

Pre-production Mustang quarter rear
Via Mecum Auctions

As the images show, the restoration was a great success, and this 05C Mustang still looks new. Thanks to its superb classic looks, this 05C Mustang was features in Mustang Monthly and Mustang Times. It also won the Blue Ribbon Best in Class at the 2009 Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance.

In addition, this 05C Mustang has won multiple awards from the Mustang Club of America in 2011 (Gold Award), 2013 (Gold Award) and 2021 (Bronze Award).

Source: Mecum Auctions