A 1964 ‘Shorty’ Mustang will be one of the star attractions in the ‘What Were They Thinking’ class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance from 8-10 March
It is based on one of 10 pre-production chassis, with a wheelbase that has been shortened by 16in and a V8 bored and stroked to 302cu in.
The lightweight glassfibre two-seater was designed by Vince Gardner, and was displayed around the world before Ford put it into storage.
Gardner, though, was convinced his creation was destined for the crusher and stole the car from the unsuspecting firm, walling it up in a Michigan warehouse.
There it stayed until the oblivious building owner discovered it after months’ of unpaid rent.
Having already received an insurance payout, Ford was no longer interested in the one-off machine. As a result, it was stored in the insurance company’s car park where it caught the eye of an executive, who promptly advertised it for sale.
The car’s present owner, Bill Snyder, had seen it touring years earlier and bought it on the spot after being alerted to the advert by a friend.
