A year later, I damaged this car extensively, against a guard rail, and decided to change the color to 1966 Candyapple Red. I was married in this car in April 1967, but traded it for a 7 Litre hardtop in October of that year. I still have that 7 Litre, rust and all, but I always missed that '65 XL. A few years later, I found a twin of it, sitting on the roadside near my home, smashed in the front and rear, and looking really sad. I left  note, and the owner called me back. I bought it for $150 in the early 70s. I did a lot of mechanical and body replacement, and had a quick paint job put on. It looked OK for about 10 years, but eventually the years of salt took their toll, and the car was not driveable. In 1994, I made the decision to restore it, and contracted a local Mustang restorer, who was a long time friend. He agreed to the job, but said there wasn't much left to weld to, and it would be a major patch job. He recommended a body transplant, something he had done on about 25 Mustang convertibles in the past.  

He proposed cutting up the convertible, cutting off the roof of the 2 door hardtop, and transplanting the convertible guts into the rust free body. I had seen his work, and agreed. Couldn't hurt, right? 6 weeks later, I had a rust free convertible, ready for complete restoration. The whole process took 9 months, kind of like giving birth. I now have a totally restored convertible, with minimal welding, and maximum strength, using both the hardtop and convertible body mounts. No one believes it was a hardtop conversion, until I show the pictures. All VIN tags are correct, as is the door plate and title. The firewall with the VINs was part of the transplant. About 90 % of the body is the Texas hardtop donor, and 10% is the original ragtop. The interior is completely original vinyl, with new carpet 12 years ago. It has filled my wall and shelves with over 20 1st, 2nd & 3rds, at both local & national shows. I usually drive it everywhere, but have dollied it to Carlisle behind another '65, so I could bring 2 cars.  

I don't think I will ever sell it, but may see if it could end up in the Ford Museum in Dearborn. Wishful thinking maybe, but a fitting home, for a '65 XL convertible, saved from the crusher. And, it's '66 Candyapple Red; an exact duplicate of that first car I bought in 1966.