During a recent staff meeting, we were tossing around story ideas and came up this: What if someone had a '65 or '66 Mustang and wanted to convert the car to a Deluxe Interior? What parts would it take to do it? What bits make an authentic "Pony" Interior, as it is affectionately known?
We're going to answer those questions and more. People have been converting standard '65-'66 Mustang interiors to Pony cabins for years, and for good reason--they're desirable and look spectacular, especially in the bright colors that some cars came with.
This '65 convertible in blue with white appointments illustrates the attractive Pony Interior. For our detail shots, we used a '66 GT fastback that also looks good in black, but is more understated than the standout shown here. | 
Alan Cohen has the black Pony Interior that's in his red '66 GT fastback. This car doesn't have a console, which was a separate option on all Mustangs, regardless of the interior. The stainless-trimmed pedals are another part of the Pony Interior package. | 
Upgraded seat upholstery is one of the most prominent components of the Pony Interior option. Black, Red, and Palomino were the only single-color Pony Interior shades available in '65 and '66 Mustangs. All other color options were made up of two hues, such as Blue with White appointments like our convertible example. Other color combos included Aqua with White, Parchment with Blue, Ivy Gold with White, and Parchment with Aqua. |
On the one-year anniversary of the Mustang's introduction on April 17, 1965, the Pony Interior joined the GT package and bench-seat options as new available selections. Ever since, the Pony interior has been a hit in original guise and for those upgrading cars that didn't originally come with one.
We'll show you what a correct Pony Interior is comprised of and what's needed to upgrade an existing car with components available from vintage Mustang parts houses such as Mustang Country International. We frown upon trying to pass off a car as originally equipped with a Pony Interior, but believe there's nothing wrong with saying you've converted your car to a Pony Interior, creating a clone of sorts.
Finally, all available colors for Pony Interiors, along with other information about them, were presented in our April '03 issue.
This is why the Deluxe Interior is better known as the "Pony" Interior. The embossed running horses on the seat upholstery give the Deluxe Interior its nickname. The running horses are exclusive to '65-'66 Pony Interior upholstery. | 
Door panels are another major upgrade to the Pony Interior. This is the overall view of a Pony door panel. | 
The Thunderbird-style, pistol-grip inside door-release handles are unique to the Pony Interior package. |
Major Pony Interior Components - Five-dial instrument panel
- Woodgrain inserts on gauge cluster and glovebox door
- Uniquely styled glovebox door
- Molded door panels with Thunderbird-style, pistol-grip inside door-release handles
- Door-mounted courtesy lights
- Kick panels with carpeting on lower half and stainless trim strip
- Running horse-embossed bolstered seat upholstery
- Woodgrain Deluxe steering wheel
- Vinyl-covered quarter-trim panels (coupe only)
- Bright trim cap on quarter-trim panel (coupe only)
- Bright-trimmed pedals