i was wondering what year mustang between 65-68 would be considerd the best as a regular hard top( non fast back) as far ar performance and reliablity stock...i know thats quite bland but if you need more info ask and ill fill in what im leaving out...

 

I don't think you'll find much difference in reliability between different years on a 40+ yearold car. The biggest variable would be in the care (or lack of) that the vehicle has received.

As far as performance. It depends. If you staying with a 289/302 engine, the 65/66 body is lighter than the 67/68, so performance would be better. HOWEVER, the 67/68 will permit you to use a "big block" engine, thus becoming better for straight-line performance, but probably not for cornering!

As far as safety, the alter the better. Things like dual braking hydraulics, collapsible steering columns, side marker lights, and 3 point seatbelts become available as time marched on.

 

True the 65-6 Mustangs have a lighter body, but the engine bay cant hold anything much bigger than a 289 stock. You can jam a 302 in there or even a 351w if you do some modifications. The '68 small block Mustangs are the fastest of the small block Mustangs. The 302 wasn't available any year up until '68 and still the 68 was the fastest year 302 because it was relased with 4V rather than the 2V on later years excluding the Boss302s. If you're talking big blocks the '68 CobraJet is a winner all around. As for the cornering, I think Steve McQueen proved a 390 big block can maneuver quite well, but only under the hands of a skilled driver.

So overall the 65-6s weren't all too greatly fast stock unless it came with a 289 hi-po, and the '68 has the 67 beat due to the newly released 302-4V and the CobraJet.

Reliability on an older car is mostly based on how well its been maintained over the years. So look for a body with hardly any rust at all.

 

IMO 68. It has collapsible steering column and is a little roomer then 65/66. B)

 

The 302 and 289 are the exact same external dimensions, so either fits into a (light) 65/66 body with no changes. In fact the 351W (&351C) both fit without any cutting, and can be stroked to well over 400 cu inches.

Nothing against Steve McQ, but I've never been impressed by anything a movie car "does".

 

There were a number of mustangs used making the Bullit film (4 or 5 I think), and not all of them were 390s.

There are more 65/66 coupes out there than anything else, but if you want a driver, I would go with the 67/68 for the safety reasons. The brake system is more reliable, the power steering more common (and less prone to leaks), and side marker lights are standard in 68.

 

I'd go with the 68 for a daily driver because of all the safety features added that year. They also have some conveniences the earlier models didn't have, like integrated AC.

There were only a handful of Cobrajets in 68, so that argument is ridiculous. And I've seen folks stuff a 351C in an early car without heavy modifications, so that's also lame.