1965 Ford Mustang K Code Notchback

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Why It's Curated: This 1965 Ford Mustang K Code Notchback is for sale in Santa Barbara, CA. Few early Mustangs arrive with this combination of documented racing provenance and purposeful, period-correct preparation. Built by Bob Joehnck -- a respected figure in West Coast drag racing and Southern California's golden era of performance tuning -- this K-code notchback represents the kind of build that shaped American motorsports culture in the 1960s. The drivetrain is a cohesive, race-spec package: a Ford Toploader 4-speed with a Hurst shifter, a Ford 9-inch rear end with a 4.10 spool and 31-spline axles, and a 5.0L Ford small block. Suspension duties fall to Koni shocks front and rear, with front Ford disc brakes converted by Mike Eddy. American Racing 15x7 wheels wear vintage Goodyear race tires (400-15). Inside, a Corbeau FX1 Pro race seat, Simpson 3-inch 5-point harness, Halon fire suppression system, Stewart Warner gauges, and a rear-mounted battery confirm this car was built to compete, not merely display. This is the right car for a serious vintage racer or collector who understands the significance of Joehnck's legacy and wants a documented, race-ready piece of California motorsports history.

Check out the pictures in the gallery & use the contact form to get in touch with us and the seller to ask questions and/or make an offer for this vehicle.

Vehicle Details:
Year: 1965
Make: Ford
Model: Mustang
Trim: K Code Notchback
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Miles: Unknown
Mileage Verification: True Miles Unknown
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual (3 Pedals)
Number of Forward Gears: 4
Engine: 5.0L Ford small block
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Black
State of Registration: California
Vehicle Location: Santa Barbara
VIN: Available Upon Request
Title: Clean

Details:

Engine & Transmission:
Engine Modifications: Yes

Transmission Modifications: Yes
- Ford Toploader 4-speed - Hurst shifter - Ford 9” rear end w/ 4.10 spool - 31-spline axles

Drivetrain, Suspension, Tires & Brakes:
Drivetrain Modifications: Yes
Suspension Modifications: Yes
Suspension, Wheels & Brakes • Koni shocks (front & rear) • Vintage Goodyear race tires (400-15) • American Racing 15x7 wheels • Front Ford disc brakes (Mike Eddy)
Wheel Size and Offset: 15x7 wheels
Wheel Brand and Model: American Racing
Tire Brand, Model, and Size: Vintage Goodyear race tires (400-15)
Type of Brakes: Front Ford disc brakes (Mike Eddy)

Exterior & Interior: 

Fiberglass hood
Body & Chassis • Steel body, blue enamel paint • Excellent condition throughout • Factory Ford unibody chassis • Front & rear suspension in excellent condition Interior & Safety • Corbeau FX1 Pro race seat • Simpson 5-point harness (3”) • Halon fire suppression system • Stewart Warner gauges • Rear-mounted battery
Interior Material: Leather 
Interior Modifications: Yes
Working Heat: No
Working Air Conditioning: No

Other Notable Features or Functions:

This K-code Mustang is a fully sorted vintage race car with exceptional pedigree, outstanding build quality, and extensive documentation. More than just a fast and capable machine, it represents an important piece of American motorsports history. Built by the legendary Bob Joehnck of Santa Barbara, California, this Mustang traces its roots to one of the true pioneers of West Coast drag racing. Joehnck was a well-known figure during the golden age of hot rodding and performance tuning in Southern California, a period that helped define American car culture. His reputation for craftsmanship, innovation, and speed earned him respect throughout the racing community, and cars carrying his name remain highly sought after today. The era in which Joehnck rose to prominence was the same period that captivated enthusiasts such as James Dean, whose passion for performance cars and motorsports became an enduring part of his legacy. The postwar California car scene of the 1950s and 1960s—filled with dry lake racers, drag strips, custom builders, and weekend competitors—created a culture that influenced generations of enthusiasts and established Southern California as the epicenter of American performance motoring. This Mustang embodies that spirit. With its outstanding provenance, race-ready preparation, and connection to one of California's most respected early racers and builders, this is far more than a vintage Mustang—it is a tangible link to one of the most exciting chapters in American automotive history.

Recent Maintenance:
up to date.

Mechanical, Rust, Cosmetic Known Flaws:
NONE

Model History: The Ford Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964 -- at the New York World's Fair -- as a 1964½ model, with full 1965 model-year production beginning that fall. Lee Iacocca championed the project at Ford, pushing for a sporty, affordable car built on the existing Falcon platform to keep costs manageable. The 1965 Mustang offered buyers an unprecedented degree of personalization, with three body styles -- fastback, hardtop, and convertible -- and a lengthy options list spanning engines from an inline-six up to a high-output small-block V8. The GT package added performance credentials, while the Pony Interior brought a touch of luxury. Competing in a segment that included the Chevrolet Corvair Monza and the Plymouth Barracuda, the Mustang effectively defined the "pony car" class it named. Its long-hood, short-deck proportions established a template that would shape American sporty-car design for decades.