A 1965 Mustang, a Family Photo, and Generations of Ford Pride

Like many former Ford Mustang owners of the past 60-plus years, Tim Ryan, father of Ford Heritage and Brand Manager Ted Ryan, regretted selling his Mustang. After decades of longing for his beloved Canary Yellow 1965 model, Tim Ryan tracked down a similar Mustang and is busy making new memories, including having his “new” car displayed along with current and classic Mustangs at the Woodward Dream Cruise in the Detroit area. 

Ted and his father, Tim, recently re-created a 1969 photo of them with the car, dressing and posing similarly to the treasured snapshot from Ryan’s childhood. The original has since become ingrained in Ted’s identity, serving as the title slide on many of Ryan’s presentations. 

“I say I was born into a Ford family and I show that picture [of] five-year-old Teddy Ryan, and then I list out the cars my dad has owned, and then I start giving my talk because it gives you authenticity as a Ford person,” he said. 

Green with regret 

The original yellow Mustang was the Ryans’ first new car when they bought it in 1965 when Tim Ryan was a 23-year-old father of two taking night school courses at Georgia State University. They had the car until it was sold in 1971 in favor of a larger, lime-green Ford Torino. 

“And I was making a living, but not a fortune,” he said. “So, we had either one car or two cars until very late in our lives when a little more money came around.”

Mustang search party 

Tim Ryan found the new car while searching online after his grandson suggested they re-create the photo. The Mustang was delivered to the elder Ryan’s home recently, and he had it shipped to the Detroit area from his home in Sarasota, Florida, for its debut at the Dream Cruise. 

Ted Ryan flew to Florida to visit his parents when the car was delivered, taking a quick spin and shooting the new photo with the aid of a ladder and a tripod.

“I was the last to know that he was looking for a yellow Mustang even though my son was in on the deal,” he said. “I was excited. And now I’m even more excited to know that when I go down to visit them, there's going to be a Mustang in the garage.”

Opening the garage

Today, Tim Ryan has quite a collection of cars. While his wife enjoys a current-generation Bronco, his daily driver is a Lincoln Nautilus. But he also owns a 1957 Continental Mark II, a yellow 2002 Thunderbird, and a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Cabriolet, which is being restored and is said to be once owned by famed actor Randolph Scott. 

“I’ve always loved cars,” he said. “Car guys aren’t made, they’re born, and I’ve always loved the ones that are slightly different and just stand out.”

Tim Ryan’s love of Ford-built vehicles was passed down fromhis parents, who owned several Fords. 

“My parents drove mostly Fords,” he said. “They had a ’55 Ford because the Chevy dealer raised the price on a company car when he went to pick it up. And he turned, walked out, and bought a Ford and never looked back.” 

Road trip rewind

Tim Ryan said he’s considering driving the new Mustang on road trips, just like the family did with the original. After outfitting the back seat of the original with a board to give it a flat surface, which allowed Ted and his brother to play games, the family trekked from Atlanta to Connecticut to visit relatives.

“This is not a restored show car,” Tim Ryan said. “I wanted a car that I could drive, and that car is exceptionally drivable. I can go on the interstate and cruise with it. I may even drive it up to North Carolina once I’ve had it for a while.”

Regardless of where he takes his new ride, Tim Ryan is looking forward to swapping stories wherever he goes, sharing the common language of Mustang.   

“You want everybody else to share the joy that you feel in a car,” he said. “That’s why everybody goes cruising up and down Woodward Avenue, because they want other people to enjoy their joy. I love hearing the stories, too.”