Ford Mustang- Life of a Legend

In the 1960s, Lee Iacocca, Vice President and GM of Ford, dreamed of a sports car similar to the Ford Falcon. It didn't take long for the manufacturing giant to realize this dream. Developed quickly and on a budget, The 1965 Mustang was unveiled at the World's Fair on April 17, 1964, by Henry Ford II. The new car also debuted in Ford showrooms across the country, and it was an instant hit.

Ford anticipated selling 100,000 Mustangs in the first year. Instead, however, Ford sold more than 22,000 on the first day. The instant success of the Mustang, named after a World War II fighter plane, led Ford Mustang to launch a whole new genre of automobiles, more commonly known as "Pony Cars."

1965: The Car. The Myth. The Legend. 

The original Ford Mustang or the 1965 model featured a long hood and short rear deck and cost an average of $2,300. However, the car underwent several production changes to the versions built after August 1964. At this time, 120,000 vehicles were sold to the public. 

Oddly enough, some enthusiasts refer to early Mustangs post-1965 as "1964½" models, while models post-August are considered "late 1965s." However, rumor has it the first Mustang dates back to just after World War II in 1948- but we will let you be the judge of that. 

In late 1965 Mustang launched convertibles and the notchback body style, with the fastback joining the lineup soon after. A notchback is where the back of the passenger compartment is angled down almost like a step. A fastback is when the car has a slope from the roof to the bumper. And we all know about the convertible! 

In addition, numerous options were available to buyers to customize their Mustangs from economical to a weekend race car. As a result, sales of the 1964½-1965 models skyrocketed to nearly 681,000. That's a lot of "Ponies!" 

The Power Under the Hood.

According to MotorTrend, Ford Mustang's original engine lineup started with a 170-CID straight-six, 4.3-liter V-8, and the legendary beast, 289-CID V-8, with up to 271 horsepower. In later '65 models, the six increased to 200-CID or 3.3 liters. Finally, the 260 was swapped out by a 289 with a two-barrel carburetor-whew. What a mouth full! 

The Ford Mustang blew into 1966 with minimal changes, and that year, March 1 to be exact, the millionth Mustang was born- a white convertible, to be precise. 

Customers gave continuous feedback despite the car's popularity, and the company listened, inspiring significant changes to the Mustang in 1967. First, the vehicle grew longer, wider, and heavier to install a big-block engine. Next, the 390-CID or 6.4-liter V-8 bad boy dished out 335 horsepower, booting the 289 top performers from the lead. In addition, the front suspension and braking performance saw upgrades to accommodate the heavier engine and improve the ride quality. 

In addition, Ford offered a 428-CID, or 7.0-liter Cobra Jet V-8 rated at 335 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque for the speed demons interested in drag racing. Drivers were literally holding on to their horses at this point! 

The interior and exterior trim saw some upgrades as well. The car had a more prominent front grille opening, recessed tail lights, and scoops mounted on the rear quarters. Inside, customers found a new dashboard with integrated gauges and the option to have air conditioning installed. In addition, the seats were more comfortable, and you could now add a fold-down rear seat if you purchased the fastback model. The Mustang also offered a tilt-away steering wheel, cruise control, and folding glass rear window in the convertible. 

The 1968 Mustang saw minimal changes to its appearance. Ford removed the horizontal bars from the front grille, and the hood's emblem disappeared. Customers found a new energy-absorbing steering wheel and over-the-shoulder seat belts inside the vehicle. All 1967 models had a 4-point roll bar. However, a 2-point version was more practical, becoming standard on the 1968 vehicles. 

In 1968, the 1967 version was marketed as the Shelby GT350 and was the first to feature sequential turn signals. However, they weren't a regular fixture on the Mustang until 2010. The Mustang 5.0 first appeared in 1968 but became well known in the 1980s. 

And it Continues to Evolve. 

It's 1969, and with that, the Mustang got even larger- coming in at 3.8 inches longer, and ½ inch wider- which may not mean much to some but size does matter! 

Ford also dropped the 289 and upgraded to a new 351-CID, or 5.8-liter V-8 with either 250 or 290 horsepower behind the wheel. New models also included the Mach and the Boss homologation style engines. However, Ford restyled the 1970 models to look less intimidating, and sales dipped more than 300,000 in 1969 and took a dive past 200,000 in 1970. So that happened. 

In 1971, the Mustang became heavier, and new rear windows gave the car a different look. During this time, emissions rules tightened, Americans moved away from muscle cars, and engine options changed. As a result, the six became larger. However, the 429, the only big block, was gone during 1972, leaving the 351 as the beefiest engine. 

When 1973 hit, the Mustang saw a massive weight gain coming in at 3,600 lbs- that's 1,200 lbs heavier than the 1965 version, folks. Sales continued to nosedive. 

1974-1978 The Makeover- Mustang Edition.  

In 1974, Ford introduced the Mustang II to the world. This version is a subcompact based on a stretched Pinto platform and became available as a notchback or hatchback, according to MotorTrend. Buyers could choose between a 140-CID or 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a 171-CID or 2.8-liter V-6 engine. The 1974 Mustang II was also the first to receive a four-cylinder engine. However, downsizing the engines became routine in the 2010 models.  

Ford marketed the Mustang II as an upscale economy car, with the luxury-themed Ghia, trumping the lineup. The vehicle was available for purchase in the fall of 1973. Sales skyrocketed again to 386,000 for '74, which was Mustang II's best year. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and the car went on to win MotorTrend's 1974 Car of the Year Award. What a comeback! 

Americans returned to bigger cars in 1974. So Ford brought in the 5.0 running at a weak 140 horsepower. The Cobra II and King Cobra models were more pretty than fast. Regardless, sales held at 200,000 vehicles a year from 1975-1978. 

When 1979 rolled around, the launch of ESPN wasn't the only thing on people's minds. Car fans were missing the original Mustang, so Ford stepped up and gave them what they wanted. 

1979-1993 Was a Foxy One.

The 1979 Mustang aka, Fox, came in notchback and hatchback styles. A hatchback is when a rear door swings upward to access a cargo area. Often hatchbacks provide fold-down second-row seating to provide more room for storage. The "Fox" offered a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 88 horsepower and a turbocharged version boasting 132 horsepower, with a 2.8-liter V-6, 3.3-liter I-6, and the 4.9 V-8, still labeled as a 5.0. 

Ford soon replaced the 4.9 with a 4.2 V-8 for early 1980-1981 models. Ford then dropped its problematic turbo for '82 when the 4.9/5.0 successfully returned. 

What's the bad news? Well, the bad news is that Ford started building 149-mph cop cars- the Mustang version. Sorry guys. 

High-performance Mustangs returned to the lineup in 1983. An improved 2.3-liter turbocharged engine debuted next to the first convertible Mustang in a decade, with a new 3.8-liter V-6 replacing the old straight-six. This V-8 gunned at 175 horsepower, according to MotorTrend. 

In 1984, Ford released the limited-run Mustang SVO with a 175 horsepower and 2.3T engine (later boasting 205 horsepower). The new '85 5.0 high output engine delivered 210 horsepower. However, in 1986, it switched out its four-barrel carburetor for a multi-port fuel injector that offered 200 horsepower.

A New Pony Makes an Appearance. 

In 1987 the Mustang came in hot with a beautiful redesign. Ford's aero-themed styling was met with excitement, with consumers getting a peek at the flush headlights and a new interior. In addition, the V-6 was replaced- leaving two engines and two models. The economy-themed Ford Mustang LX and the flashy V-8 powered Ford Mustang GT.

Most LX vehicles had an 88 horsepower, 2.3-Liter engine; however, Ford made a stealthy LX 5.0, which combined the V-8's 225 horsepower (based on the 1988, 205 hp model). According to MotorTrend, this vehicle had a performance edge over the GT because it shed an extra 200 lbs on the body. 

Sales took a dip in 1989, and with a new Mustang in the wings, changes were minor. However, in 1993, Ford gave us the SVT Cobra, with a modified 235 horsepower V-8 engine, Tokico shocks and struts, and less aggressive styling than the GT version. Ford built less than 5,000 SVT Cobras and only 107 Rs, so demand was high. 

Throwback.

Mustang lovers still longed for more recognizable Mustang features. Thus, the 1994 shape changed to complement first-generation versions. The changes to the interior closely resembled the throwback vehicle, and the new suspension offered a softer ride for occupants. 

This car version saw the 4.9-liter V-8 return with 215 horsepower, and the new base engine was a 3.8-liter V-6. Ford replaced the 4.9 with the modular 4.6-liter OHC V-8 in 1996. MotorTrend reports that while output was similar to the 4.9, the engine received complaints about a lack of low-end torque. 

The Mustang received a new, edgy facelift in 1999. The V-6 was bumped up to 190 horsepower, while the V-8 boasted a more competitive 260 horsepower. In addition, the 1999 SVT Cobra was first in line to feature an independent rear suspension.  

Retro! Retro! Read all about it.

Awe- 2005- the Mustang debuted with a squared-off shape that properly honored the first-generation Mustang.  

The base model of the V-6 Mustang had a 4.0-liter V-6 engine with 210 horsepower, and the 4.6-liter V-8 now had 300 horsepower backing it up. As a result, consumers were once again satisfied with pony cars. 

In 2010, the fifth-generation Mustang got another facelift. Again, one of the most stylish upgrades with the sequential tail lights, despite the original Mustang never having them. And in 2011, new engines were released: A 3.7-liter with 305 horsepower and a brand new 5.0-liter V-8 with an astounding 412 horsepower, displacing all other 5.0-liter engines. Finally, in 2012, Boss 302 jumped up to 444 horsepower, and the Boss, 302 Laguna Seca edition. Now those are some fast cars, ladies and gentlemen! 

Modern Day Mustang 2015-Now. 

More iterations of the Ford Mustang came in December 2013 as a 2015 model celebrating the vehicle's 50th anniversary. An independent rear suspension is standard in this version, and the 300 horsepower V-6 engine and 435 horsepower V-8 were outfitted by a new 310 horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. 

A new year brought changes to the 2018 Mustang, and the V-6 dropped. In 2019, Ford announced the Mustang is going green, and a new four-door, electric crossover, marketed as the 2020 Mustang Mach-E, hit the market. Some people love it- and some hate it.  

Classic 1966 Ford Mustang Giveaway.

Worldwide Vintage Autos is all about celebrating the classics. That's why this February 2022, we are giving away a 1966 Ford Mustang to celebrate our tenth anniversary- and there is no purchase necessary to enter. 

They sure don't make vehicles like they used to, so celebrate the classics with us and enter for your chance to keep the oldies, but goodies, alive!