One-of-190 '65 Mustang Pace Car Replica Hits the Market After 44 Years

Here's something special: a 1965 Ford Mustang Pace Car replica, one of only 190 hardtops produced to celebrate the Mustang's appearance at the Indianapolis 500. According to Hagerty, this particular example is now looking for a new custodian after 44 years of careful ownership.

The Story Behind the Pace Car

When Ford sent the Mustang to pace the Indy 500 in May 1964, it was a watershed moment for both the model and the company. Thirty-five new Mustang convertibles appeared at the race, but Ford went further—building 190 hardtop replicas for dealership sales across the country.

There's an ongoing debate about whether these should be called '64½ or '65 models. While early Mustangs are often referred to as 1964.5s, the VIN tells the real story: there's a "5" right there, confirming these are 1965 model year cars. Still, the romance of a "1964 and a half" Mustang persists.

What Makes It Special

Every one of the 190 replicas left the factory finished in Pace Car white with blue interior trim and the F-code small-block V8. They featured distinctive body side decals and three blue racing stripes running along the bonnet, roof, and boot. Most importantly, each car received grease pencil markings on the radiator core support—including the words "PACE CAR"—for authentication.

The current owner understood the significance of these factory markings and ensured they weren't lost during a sympathetic restoration. That attention to originality and provenance is exactly what serious collectors look for in these rare early Mustangs.

With only 190 built, these Pace Car replicas represent a significant piece of Mustang and Indianapolis 500 history. After more than four decades with one careful owner, this one's ready to write its next chapter.