Ford intended to provide a sleek Mustang Fastback for the movie
production of Goldfinger. 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 to gain at least some fame before the official movie start in
the U.S. cinemas in December.
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. There 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. So we learn that these Driving Lights were not
a new item for the Gone in 60 Seconds Mustang, but a visionary design
element of the early Bond car team. Another item of interest is the golden
horse in the front grill corral.
Inside we'll find a special Superior Interior of black with golden vinyl
seat covers and similar colored accent treatment everywhere. This interior
had a special code on the door tag.
A very special item is this unique roof console featuring an oil and cooling
temperature display plus a 8.000 rpm tachometer. 5 warning lights and a big
variety of mysterious toggle switches such as in the DB5 are designed for
functions we could just imagine or take from the actual DB5 in the movie.
Special Styled Steel Wheels with Gold Metal Flake accentuation of the center
caps are another outstanding and unique feature on this car as well as the
unique "spinner style" gas cap. 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 9" rear end axle with Traction-Lok-Differential.
It would have been up to the power a true James Bond needs.
Other options were:
- 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
What happened to the car?
Well the speedometer shows only 21 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 got it out and used it for drag racing. Not much time
later - maybe those 21 miles - it was saved and restored and detailed in a
2 years lasting process to its former glory.
It had 3 other owners following and a feature article in Mustang
Illustrated in 1990. The car was auctioned at Barrett-Jackson twice: in
2000 at $48,760 and in
2001 at $34,560 to Lance Cunningham of Lance Cunningham Ford in
Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2002 it
was given as a prize via a radio station giveaway. Lance Cunningham Ford
received $65,000 from advertisers for this icon of Mustang history. It will be probably soon shown
at more Mustangs shows, so watch out for this masterpiece of restoration
when you in Tennessee.