Car Owner: Keith Kehoe Words & Photos: Clive Branson
It sounds like it spits out venom as it snorts to life when gently prodded, gurgling and anxious to be unleashed. It’s part of a trio, but the coupe and convertible preceding it seemed like tame imitators to Ford’s 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback (a 2-passenger car with fold down back seat), which debuted in October 1964, seven months after the Mustang’s launch in April. The 1965 sales figure soared to 559,500 units, setting an all-time record for “first year” sales of any new model. In fact, the coupe sold significantly more due to its convenient trunk space (almost seven times more sold to the fastback’s 77,079 units). But it’s the fastback that collectors and enthusiasts really desire.
1965 was the inaugural year for the fastback, with all its palm-sweating features: the sheet metal curved into a truly compact, sporty and sexy beast, the scintillating paint job, great detailing and a five-speed pump equipped with a hefty fuel-injected 302 V8. It came with Ford’s usual gifts: power steering, A/C, centre console, simulated wood-rim steering wheel, push-button AM radio, rear-seat speaker, special wheel covers, a five-dial instrument cluster including a tachometer and a clock, fog lamps, side roof vents, dual exhaust tips, stripes on the lower body panels and complementary emblems on the front fenders - heady stuff for a sports car and a tease as to what was to come with the groundbreaking Shelby GT350 – a street legal racing car.
Yet when Keith Kehoe purchased his fastback in 2005, it was anything but the paragon of speed. “It was a rust bucket,” confirms Keith, with a solemn shake of his head.
Keith operates K&M Classic Auto Parts (just outside Renfrew), specializing in Mustang and Ford parts, backed by 13 years in the restoration business and in managerial roles with a Ford dealership.
“I would even go as far as to say that I bought a cadaver that had been patched together like Frankenstein,” he says. “With over 162,400 miles of wear and tear, there was nothing pretty about the car. In my professional opinion: an unworthy restoration project. It was certainly in need of a full body-off restoration. Everything needed a replacement.”
Keith purchased the car from Reverend Jason Williamson of Calvary Pentecostal Church in Renfrew. “He had originally contacted me to get a quote on restoration parts. His intentions were to restore it in his carport. His wife, Heather, just kept shaking her head when he and I talked about his dream (and her nightmare).”
They had three young children crawling around them. “I detected the fear in Jason starting this restoration: new house, new ministry and a new family. This car was going to get in the way of those important things in his life, so I presented the ‘1st stage’ quotation. Heather looked doubtful.”
Before the couple left, Keith offered to purchase the car for what Jason had invested while Heather nodded vehemently.
“I was looking for this kind of a derelict Mustang as a challenge to prove that a Mustang in its worst shape could still be resurrected, so I left it with him for two weeks to decide.”
Again, Jason inquired Keith’s opinion regarding his attempt at restoring the car by himself. It was a bit like asking Keith if he thought Jason could become an archbishop by next year. By the time Keith reasoned with him, the reverend begrudgingly agreed to sell him the car. There was a muffled cheer in the background from Heather.
Keith discovered that there had been 13 previous owners, all living in Ontario, from 1984 to 2004, though the previous history is unknown. Another dilemma was the VIN number. It had been misprinted in the Ministry of Ontario system. A hand-stamped aluminum tag was riveted into the driver’s door. The starting VIN, F509C, was now at the end of the production numbers.
“If you have experienced bureaucracy at its finest, registering the car was a challenge because the vehicle was bought and sold so many times through the Ministry,” Keith recalls. “The authentic number was eventually confirmed, for a nominal price, through Ford’s Customer Service Division.
“I wanted to provide factual evidence that this Mustang could virtually be rebuilt in its entirety. I named it Project Rustang and was determined to bring the dead to life while strictly adhering to original factory-built dimensions and measurements,” Keith continues with a proud nod. A photo library supports the visual undertaking of the entire process.
“I have restored other Mustangs: a ’69 convertible, a ’68 coupe, a ’67 coupe deluxe, a ’67 Mercury Cougar, and a ’68 VW van. I have never owned a new vehicle. I find what I like, and for the right price, I fix it up to look new again.”
Although he refers to his work as show quality restoration, his intention is simple: to drive it and enjoy it.
“My wife and I purchased a Little Guy lightweight camp trailer so that we can see as much of Ontario’s parks as possible in our Mustang. Then, as old age sets in, we will sell it to assist living in our senior years.”
In the meantime, this ’65 Fastback is, in his words, “a dream to drive.” It drives like it just came off the dealership floor. It may lack the cruise control and additional electronics of current day cars, but it enables Keith to control everything about the drive. “I feel as though I’m one with the car. No false sense of security here.”
Keith did all the restoration himself. “In the 8 years it took me to restore the car, the assembly of all the finishing products took the longest since I had to be so careful in not damaging the finished surfaces. This is also the hardest task to maintain. This car had all the signs of ’64 Falcon production parts.”
The early fastbacks were produced ahead of schedule to pave the way for stock racing cars. To compete against Ford’s greatest rival at the time, Chevrolet, the popularity of racing (stock, drag and, later, CanAm) was paramount in getting cars off their car lots.
“I replaced the original 289, 4.3-cubic inch engine with a 302, 5.0-cubic inch increase in muscle and an AOD transmission,” Keith explains. But the first thing that attracts a crowd to his car is the allure of the paint job. “The colour was changed from a bland refrigerator white to Ember Glow, an original Ford-only colour.
“I got into Mustangs because of my work background with Ford, but it was my dad who had the greatest influence on me concerning cars. He assisted me with the purchase of my first car, a Sport Edition VW Beetle with a bad engine. We re-did the engine in the backyard, learning as we went, until we had accomplished a running vehicle. That taught me to realize that if I set my mind to something, I can achieve it. As I get older, my projections are solely related to the Baby Boomers’ age group. They are old guys now who set the bell curve in collectible classic cars; however, that bell curve is coming in for a landing and the passion will eventually change from Mopar to electric conversions. Regardless, I wouldn’t swap my car for anything. I have to say that it is my every-day-car-show that begins when I open the door of my garage. Whether I’m at a gas station, traffic lights, cruising the streets or on the highway, it’s all about the thumbs-up salute and strangers asking or reminiscing about ‘the good ol’ days.’ People are brought together in conversation over this classic car. That’s my car show, my trophy, my pride.”