2025 AFD highlight – 1967 ‘T5’ Mustang fastback
When you have more than 1,600 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles on display, you’re guaranteed to see something rare and unusual. Such was the case at the 2025 All Ford Day in Geelong. Marking the 100th Anniversary of Ford Australia, this year’s All Ford Day was a feast for Ford fans, with even regular attendees to this annual event marvelling at the number of never-before-seen cars on show - like this Ford ‘T5’.
So, what’s a T5? Simply put, it was a Mustang for the West German market and sold under that name (sometimes also spelt as ‘T-5’ with a hyphen) from 1964 until the beginning of 1979. The reason for this is that the Mustang name had already been licensed in Germany, to truck manufacturer Krupp and the motorcycle brand, Kreidler. Apparently, Ford could have bought the rights for a nominal fee, but instead, they elected to apply the’T5’ internal code used during the Mustang’s development.
Along with fastbacks like the car featured, the T5 was also available in coupe and convertible form.
With the Mustang name off limits, all external and internal presentations had to be removed. For the front guards, Ford developed special ‘T5’ badges, which differed between 1965-66 Mustangs, and those from 1967 onwards; the latter being similar to the 1966 GT badge. These 1967 and later T5s also repurposed existing ‘FORD’ bonnet lettering on the guards. Wheel covers and fuel caps had to have the ‘Mustang’ name removed, too, as did the steering wheel boss and any internal badging. Some T5s had this done more crudely than others, with reports some ‘Mustang’ identification was simply removed with an angle grinder!
In the belief that European roads were rougher than those in the US, most T5s were equipped with heavy duty suspension and heavy duty cooling systems, with some adding an engine bay brace, too. Requirements to meet West Germany’s road rules included a steering wheel lock, headlights with replaceable bulbs (instead of sealed beam), and separate parking/indicator lamps. These aside (and the Mustang name delete), a T5 was the same as any other Mustang, both mechanically and in terms of interior trim.
While available for West German citizens to purchase, the bigger audience for these cars proved to be US service personnel stationed in the country during what was the height of the Cold War. ‘Bigger’ is relative, though, as German deliveries rarely exceed 500 units annually, with only 758 delivered in 1967. Cheaper fuel on US bases added to the appeal, with the bonus that personnel who had ordered a car while stationed in West Germany could have it shipped home free of charge when their tour of duty ended.
In the case of this T5, it was exported to Germany in 1967 and shipped to California (presumably by the first owner) in 1969. In 2001, it was purchased by a Mustang enthusiast based in New Zealand, came into the hands of the current owner in 2003, and was exported to Australia in 2007.
A Marti Report presented with this T5 at the All Ford Day showed that it has the ‘90’ DSO (District Sales Order) code and heavy-duty suspension that most of these cars carried. The 289 V8 and three-speed manual transmission aren’t unusual, nor is the Candyapple Red paint and standard black vinyl interior, but combining this with the T5 package makes this car one of 10 fastbacks so equipped for 1967. Add in the Deluxe seat belts and 6.95x14 black wall tyres, and this car is unique.
To see JUST CARS’ report from the 2025 All Ford Day, click HERE.
