Here’s Your Chance to Buy One of Ford’s First Racing-Oriented Mustangs

Mecum Auctions managed to grab one of Gas Ronda’s Mustangs, and expects the muscle car to fetch $400,000 at auction.

The Ford Mustang was an instant hit when it appeared back in 1964, and will undoubtedly go down as one of the most successful muscle cars ever made. While Ford’s badge and the Mustang’s design were good enough for the majority of consumers to purchase one, the automaker also wanted to prove that the Mustang had the guts to go racing. That’s where the late Gas Ronda came in.

Mecum Auctions managed to get its hands on one of just 12 1965 Ford Mustang A/FX Gas Ronda vehicles ever made and, as one would expect, the history of the vehicle is incredible. As the outlet reports, 1965 saw a lot of changes for drag racing, allowing Ford to refocus its efforts on the NHRA’s Factory Experimental class. During the same time, the automaker came out with the monstrous 427-cubic-inch SOHC engine.

While the massive engine would be enough for the majority of individuals looking to go fast in a straight line, Ford sent Holman-Moody Nascar shop in Charlotte, N.C. 12 ’65 Mustangs in the hopes of getting muscle cars that could go even faster. Clearly, Holman-Moody didn’t disappoint.

The Mustangs utilized steel factory fastback bodies and five of them were fitted with the 427 cubic in SOHC engine, while others received a 427 cubic inch Hi Riser engine. The specific example for sale is, according to Mecum Auctions, carries the highest serial number – 5F09_380240 – and is believed to be the final A/FX Mustang made. This was also one of the Mustangs that Ronda raced for the entire 1965 season.

Thanks to its tube-fed dual Holley four-barrel SOHC engine that was paired to a four-speed manual gearbox, and numerous other performance-oriented goodies, the Mustang went on to set the A/FX record run of 10.43 seconds at 134.730 mph. The Poppy Red paint scheme and black interior are just like they would’ve been in ’65 as the vehicle benefited from a comprehensive restoration not too long ago.

We don’t have to tell you that this is one special Mustang, as that’s clear to see. Mecum believes the muscle car will go for between $300,000 and $400,000. While that’s a lot of money, the vehicle is a 1965 AHRA World Finals Champion and was driven by Ronda himself, who sadly passed earlier this October due to cancer. As Mecum Auctions put it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a Mustang enthusiast.