1965 Mustang GT Hi-Po Convertible
Written by Keith Fudge

Very few people have the chance at seeing their dreams turn into reality; however, that is not the case with Jeff Burgy. This week, we find Jeff and his “dream car” with our own Dennis Gage in White Lake, Michigan.

Jeff is the proud owner of a rare 1965 Mustang GT Hi-Po Convertible, and as we begin, he gives Dennis a tour of the car from the standard GT trumpet exhausts to the factory fog lights. The dazzling white exterior is complimented with the GT striping kit, while the inside the vehicle has the Pony Interior option, as well as the Interior Décor option that fits the GT with wood grain trim and other trim amenities. After acquiring the car, Jeff also added the Rally Pack Gauges complete with the factory correct 8,000-rpm tachometer. Later, he added a correct 1966 Ford Mustang AM/FM Mono radio.

As beautiful as this car is on the outside, what lies under the hood of Jeff’s Pony is not to be taken lightly either! Equipped with a 289ci Ford that was factory rated at 271 hp, this Mustang sports a solid lifter cam and is ultimately comparable to the same engine used in the Shelby GT350. There is additional Shelby bracing to also stabilize the car under high-speed conditions, and Jeff upgraded the suspension to Shelby GT350 standards. One more item that makes this car even more rare in a sense is that this Mustang has been converted from a 4-speed to an automatic. Jeff thoroughly researched the specs on the very few automatic GT Hi-Po Mustangs that had been produced, and then took the care to restore his just as Ford had built theirs.

Finally, it was time to hit the streets and what a ride it was! Jeff told Dennis that over the years that he had owned approximately two-dozen Mustangs including a Shelby and a Boss 302. A former employee of Ford himself, Jeff also stated that he had owned this car for five years, but that it had been a dream of his to own one for thirty-five years. As their ride came to an end, Jeff confessed proudly to Dennis, “Every time I turn this key, I feel thirty years younger.” At that point Dennis could do nothing but agree. Congratulations Jeff on having a classic Pony and for showing us that dreams can come true!