Dana Petty is Selling Her 1965 Ford Mustang Bought By Her Husband, Tom Petty—Exclusive
by Greg Brodsky
The Petty family’s beloved lab, Chase, Tom Petty, and the couple’s then-9-year-old son, Dylan, in the 1965 Ford Mustang (Photo © Dana Petty Archives; used with permission)
Dana Petty is selling her beloved 1965 Ford Mustang, gifted by her husband, Tom Petty, in 2002. It was “an incredible surprise” when the legendary musician initially presented it because, as she describes it to Best Classic Bands in this exclusive August 2024 interview, “Tommy and I had a special pact where we were declared ‘gift-exempt.’ This unspoken agreement meant that our gift to each other was simply the absence of physical gifts. ‘The greatest gift of all,’ as he would playfully proclaim.”
But on this occasion on Christmas Day, her rock star husband violated their pact. “My initial reaction was one of astonishment mixed with a touch of mischief. Tommy found shopping a tedious task, far from enjoyable or convenient. Even the cards he crafted for me were always handmade, adorned with his own artwork, which I cherished deeply.
“Tommy understood my deep passion for cars,” she continues, “a love that stemmed from being raised near GM’s Fisher Body Plant #1 where my family had a longstanding connection. American-made vehicles held a special place in our hearts. I dreamt of owning a vintage convertible Mustang ’64 1/2, and eventually, I fulfilled this dream by purchasing my first brand-new car, a sleek Mustang convertible, which marked the beginning of a collection that grew over time. Tommy was well aware of my affinity for classic Mustangs.
“So on this memorable Christmas morning, a year and a half after we were married, Tommy orchestrated an unforgettable surprise. As I stepped onto the front porch, a vibrant red Mustang convertible rolled up the driveway, leaving me speechless with its beauty. To my astonishment, Tommy revealed that this stunning car was now ours to enjoy. Its manufacture date, in April 1964, aligned almost perfectly with my birth month and year, May 1964, creating an incredibly special bond between us.”
The couple drove off in their new prized possession on that magical day along Pacific Coast Highway with joy and excitement. From Neptunes Net to Zuma Beach, they shared precious moments behind the wheel, each turn and rev of the engine resonating with pure exhilaration.
Dana Petty and Tom Petty in New York City, 2002 (Photo © Dana Petty Archives; used with permission)
Says Dana Petty, “The unexpected gift of the Mustang symbolized more than just material possession; it epitomized our shared belief in the priceless value of experiences over objects. Tommy’s ability to orchestrate such a grand surprise without ever sharing how he pulled it off so beautifully, showcased his unwavering dedication and love for making dreams come true. It was his way of demonstrating that true gifts transcend material possessions–they reflect the depth of love and thoughtfulness shared between two souls united by an unbreakable bond.
“Tommy’s driving skills left much to be desired–it had always been his Achilles’ heel. And his aversion to receiving gifts stemmed from his contentment with simplicity, and my wish was for him not to feel burdened or pressured into exchanging material tokens of affection.”
She’s asked how he pulled off the surprise. “It remains shrouded in mystery,” she says. “He held onto the secret, never once revealing how he stumbled upon it. Inquiries with the business manager and loyal staff yielded no answers; it simply materialized out of thin air. Just today, unearthed was the astounding price tag he had paid back in 2002, a staggering $50,000! Astonishing, isn’t it? Assured that every element was unaltered, from the original paint to all its components, save for a minor addition of a cassette player and an amp in the trunk by the previous owner. The only missing piece was a vintage magazine featuring our prized possession on its cover, which mysteriously vanished when I sought it out to accompany the car upon sale.”
The car’s interior (Photo via Bonhams Cars auction listing)
“Our mutual decision not to indulge in traditional gift-giving rituals endured for 22 blissful years… The acquisition of the ‘64.5 Mustang marked one of those rare moments. The first time he ‘cheated’ on our ‘gift-exempt’ policy and it was an unprecedented gesture on his part, one that left me utterly speechless in its grandeur and sentimentality.”
It was Dana who was typically behind the wheel. “I cherished every moment–fetching my son from school or driving Tommy and Dylan to Dylan’s Little League baseball games. A photograph encapsulates those joyous times: Dylan’s cardinal red baseball cap worn by our faithful dog Chase, seated in the backseat, while Chase basked in attention from passersby at games. We never missed any… baseball, soccer and later basketball! Our routine included a pit stop at PC Greens, a quaint family-owned organic store for their signature smoothies, before heading home. Perfection epitomized those days; my only apprehension lay in parking her safely where I could vigilantly watch over.”
Related: Dana Petty was the subject of her husband’s classic song, “Free Girl Now”
She’s asked what would happen when she and TP would be driving with the top down. Were there times when passersby took a double-take? “Tommy’s presence commanded attention wherever we went, particularly when paused at traffic lights in that awe-inspiring vehicle! His unique aura drew gazes inevitably; his response was always a beaming smile and friendly wave before urging me to accelerate as soon as the light turned green!
“His adoration for the car knew no bounds–evident when he decided to expand his home studio around it, the Mustang snugly nestled within half of one garage, seamlessly integrated into his creative space. A wish arose that they could forever remain united–the car, the garage (home)… and me.”
“I cannot believe I’m letting her go! It is such a heartbreaking thing to do. I pray a friend and a Tom Petty fan becomes her next owner.”
UPDATE: “What perhaps went unspoken was the profound purpose behind selling my cherished Mustang – to contribute to causes that held a special place in Tommy’s heart, such as the Midnight Mission and MusiCares,” Dana Petty told me in a follow-up email. “By choosing to auction the car without setting a reserve price, I sought to emphasize that this act was not about monetary gain but about honoring Tommy’s memory while giving his true fans a shot at ownership and supporting his passions.”
She added, “I made sure the car was listed with ‘no reserve’ in hopes that a diehard Petty fan might be the winning bidder (or at least given a fair chance & to be part of it—you never know with these things!).”
From the car’s official listing by Bonhams auction house: Resplendent in its original shade of Rangoon Red over a deluxe white and red interior, this desirable early ’65 (aka “1964 ½”) Mustang is being offered directly from the wife of the legendary musician, Tom Petty. This beautiful droptop left the Dearborn, Michigan. factory equipped with the rarely seen D-code 289ci V8, which was an intermediate choice for the performance V8s available from the Ford options list, and only offered on these early cars. Breathing through a throat four-barrel carburetor, this engine was able to be run on a variety of fuel octanes and was slightly more refined than the solid-lifter K-Code engine. According to the trim tag, this convertible was optioned with an automatic transmission, perfect for city driving and especially handy when cruising Ventura Boulevard to The King’s Highway, or out in the country among the Wildflowers.
A side view of the car (Photo via Bonhams Cars auction listing)
It can be viewed at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, Calif., on August 14-15 from 9A-6P, and on August 16 from 8:30A-11A.
The Mustang has been driven sparingly during its time in the Petty family. The recipient of prior restoration work, it shows very nicely today, with lots of desirable options and authentic detailing. With the summer driving season upon us, there is no better excuse to drop the top, crank up the radio and go Runnin’ Down a Dream in this iconic cruiser, offered directly from the family of one of Americas most beloved rock ‘n’ rollers.
Introduced in April 1964 at the New York World’s Fair, and conceived by Lee Iacocca, the Ford Mustang created an overnight nationwide sensation. It offered a winning combination of sporting performance, personal luxury and crisp styling that spawned a new ‘Pony Car’ market and encouraged stiff competition from Detroit’s other major automakers. Part of the Mustang’s appeal was the wide range of options; Ford offered the ability to truly personalize a Mustang. A buyer could specify anything from a relatively tame six-cylinder coupe to a fully equipped convertible with one of three high-performance V-8 engines. While Ford projected first-year sales of around 100,000, this mark was reached in a mere four months, making the Mustang’s introduction the most successful in automotive history. By 1966, one million Mustangs were being driven on American roads. To this day, the Mustang is the only one of the original pony cars, Camaro and Firebird included, to have remained in continuous production since its unveiling.
[Tom Petty’s acclaimed recording catalog is available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.]
Related: Our feature story on the 1965 Ford Mustang
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Jump into a conversationRIP Tom Petty, fellow Florida boy, taken from us far too soon.