Rare 1965 Ford Mustang Joins The National Historic Vehicle Register

Millions of Mustangs have been built since 1964, but this Wimbledon White convertible has a story few can match. The 1965 Ford Mustang has become only the 38th vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register, thanks to its role in one of the biggest car launches in American history.

It was one of just 12 Mustangs displayed at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964, the day Ford introduced the pony car to the world. This particular car did more than sit under bright lights. It was modified to run on Walt Disney's special track system, carrying visitors on 12-minute rides around Ford's pavilion. As many as 15 million people visited the pavilion, including a young Jay Leno.

Ford made sure the Mustang was impossible to ignore. Its debut was backed by advertising across three major TV networks, with the new car priced from $2,368. That's around $25,682 in today's money. For comparison, a 2026 Mustang EcoBoost coupe starts at $32,995, while the convertible costs $40,440. The launch clearly worked, as Ford sold more than one million Mustangs in just two years, with women accounting for 43 percent of buyers.

After its time at the World's Fair, the convertible was sold and eventually ended up with Texas collector Sam Pack. Its addition to the National Historic Vehicle Register means the car will now be laser scanned, photographed, and fully documented. A permanent written record will also be stored in the Library of Congress.

The Mustang is currently on display at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station until July 14 as part of the free “Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience” exhibition. It shares the hall with the 15 millionth and final Model T, a 1928 Model A Roadster, Jay Leno's 1934 Ford Pickup, and a 1956 Thunderbird. Not bad company for a Mustang that once spent its days giving fairgoers 12-minute rides.