Petersen Automotive Museum Gives Us a Deep Dive Into the 1964.5 Ford Mustang

The Petersen Automotive Museum is home to a very special early Ford Mustang, which has some truly interesting features and options.

As most are well aware by now, the Ford Mustang is turning 60 years old in 2025, a truly remarkable feat for any automotive nameplate – let alone a niche sports car. However, most pony car fans also know that the very first Mustang wasn’t a 1965 model, but rather, one introduced for 1964.5. What a lot of people may not realize is that the 1964.5 Ford Mustang has some minor differences compared to the ’65, and that’s something that the Petersen Automotive Museum recently explored via a deep dive into its own model of that vintage.

The early Ford Mustang present in the Petersen Automotive Museum is interesting for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that it was ordered with the optional high-performance 289 cubic-inch V8, which featured special manifolds, exhaust systems, a higher compression ratio, and a four barrel carburetor. Early cars such as this one came with a generator underhood rather than an alternator, interestingly enough, which was less efficient and subsequently replaced on later cars.

The H.O. 289 made 271 horsepower, which was quite a lot for its time, and this one looks rather stunning in powder blue. The person that ordered this pony car didn’t opt for the flashy exterior chrome or pinstriping, nor did they bother with a vinyl top. It doesn’t even have the optional, sportier hub caps, making it clear that the original owner wanted something that flew a bit more under the radar – save for the 289 badging, of course.

Things are less bare bones inside the cabin, where one will find a center console and floor-mounted shifter, along with the “rally pad” for the steering wheel, a tach, and clock. This particular Ford Mustang has undergone a rather extensive and correct restoration that includes all of the little tags and markings inside that many don’t bother with, to boot – which is precisely why the Petersen Automotive Museum wanted to add this fine specimen to its collection – not to mention show it off for the pony car’s very special birthday.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.