How a 1966 Mustang Coupe Became a Hidden Gem in Wisconsin

In late summer 2019, I was enjoying the last of my break at home, working in my parents’ shop alongside my brother on his service truck. Completely stumped by the truck’s issue, my brother asked his friend Joe—a longtime automotive expert—to take a look. Joe arrived but couldn’t diagnose the problem. Instead, he shared an unexpected opportunity.

Joe had recently returned from Arizona, where he’d inspected a 1939 Chevrolet Sedan that had sat untouched in the weeds for 60 years. He planned to drive back to Wisconsin to purchase and transport it. Then he showed us a photo of a faded 1966 Mustang coupe parked beside the Chevy. The Mustang’s rear had been damaged in an accident, but Joe confirmed the car was structurally sound and complete.

His offer was simple: If my brother bought the Mustang, Joe would transport it to Wisconsin and split the fuel cost. He was already bringing a two-car trailer. After some hesitation, my brother declined, citing his packed schedule. Weston Wiese

A week later, I returned to college for the semester. While daydreaming in a sunny study area, the Mustang crossed my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my brother had missed a golden opportunity. The price was fair for a rust-free Mustang, and he’d always wanted one. I called him, arguing my case, but he insisted I should buy it myself if I cared so much. I hadn’t considered it seriously before.

The only experience I had with classic cars was the previous summer, when I convinced my dad to let me reassemble his 1970 Shelby GT500. It had been in pieces since the early 1990s. I called my dad, who agreed the Mustang wasn’t a terrible investment—especially since I could resell it if needed. I phoned Joe to accept the deal. Weston Wiese

Weeks later, Joe drove to Arizona to retrieve both cars. He dropped the Mustang at my dad’s house in Wisconsin. A month later, I finally made it home to see my new-to-me Mustang. In the meantime, I’d spent hours researching early Mustangs and watching restoration videos on YouTube. Though I’d never considered myself a car enthusiast, I was now hooked. The excitement was overwhelming—I had to see it in person.