| r as the consumer is concerned, the history of | | | | 2+2 models into GT 350 models, in the process |
| the great Ford Mustang began when it was | | | | re-equipping them to render them more suitable |
| shown to the public at New York’s World | | | | for racing. The suspension, wheel and brakes |
| Exhibition. The prototypes had been in existence | | | | were all modified, and the cars were to become |
| since 1962, with the Mustang 1 (T-5) being first | | | | the basis of many future models that are even |
| introduced to the motor racing world at the | | | | now are much sought after. |
| Watkins Glen Grand Prix where Stirling Moss and | | | | During the early 1970s the Mustang lost its way a |
| Dan Gurney drove it for a few laps each as a | | | | bit and became a bit too big and unwieldy. The |
| demo. | | | | original grace and élan that so attracted |
| In the early 1960s, Ford desperately needed a | | | | early admirers was lost, and it became just |
| new car to compete with the sporty Chevrolet | | | | another car. Part of this was due to emissions |
| Corsair Monza, and its first attempt, the Falcon | | | | regulations, but sales dropped so much that Ford |
| Future, failed to compete. A brand new car was | | | | had to rethink its design strategy with the |
| needed, and the idea for the Mustang was born. It | | | | Mustang. |
| was sporty and quick and a four seater. It was | | | | The Mustang II was introduced in 1974, and |
| appealing to youngsters, and the prototype was | | | | although it was small and vastly underpowered, it |
| well received when shown at the motor racing | | | | takes its place in the history of the car because it |
| circuits. | | | | brought to a halt the drop in sales. It sold because |
| It went in production in 1964, and was an instant | | | | of economy in fuel, and the 1973 OPEC fuel |
| hit. Its launch on 17th April, 1964 was the | | | | embargo. People were afraid that a gas guzzler |
| beginning of what was to be the most popular car | | | | would hurt their pockets, and so temporarily went |
| ever in American history, and it sold half a million | | | | for the smaller car. However, this did not last long, |
| in its first year. Its customers included every age | | | | and 1975 brought back the V8 engine to the |
| and it was equally popular to men and women. | | | | Mustang. However, although it had a 5 liter engine, |
| Many of its parts were taken from the failed | | | | the carburetor was too small and the catalytic |
| Falcon, and its immediate success had as much to | | | | converter combined with that to render it lifeless. |
| do with the almost perfect advertising campaign | | | | Then came a period of relative stability although |
| as it had to do with looks and speed. The | | | | there were a few trim changes. Fans must have |
| advertising power of the three major television | | | | seen the end coming because the late 1970s saw |
| networks was used extensively, and with its | | | | a slight increase in sales, rather than the drop that |
| distinctive mane and tail galloping across the red, | | | | model now deserved. The Cobra II and King |
| white and blue of America the ‘Pony | | | | Cobra versions did little to spark a return to the |
| Car’ was the phenomenon of its age, | | | | glory days for the 1960s, and Ford made a last |
| representing the flavor of the 1960s more | | | | ditch attempt to rewrite the Mustang in 1979. The |
| perfectly than its designers could ever have | | | | new Mustang was available as a coupé or |
| dreamt possible. | | | | fastback with a bit more room inside than the |
| It was a car of its day that arrived with perfect | | | | either the original or the ill fated Mustang II. |
| timing. Later to be called the 1964½, the | | | | However, the running horse had gone, and the |
| original Mustang was available as a convertible and | | | | rear lights lost their distinctive three segments: |
| as a coupe, both with chrome wrap-around | | | | this expanded to six, while the side scallop also |
| fenders, the distinctive chrome grill with running | | | | disappeared. It no longer resembled a Mustang! |
| pony, and a lengthened hood. Although it claimed | | | | Alterations continued to be made, and the |
| to have four seats, the back seat was a bit small | | | | California Highway Patrol found a use for a special |
| and it also sported three tails lights on each side. | | | | coupe model as a high speed pursuit vehicle. With |
| It has sold a million by 1966, although before that | | | | its 157 HP V8 engine, this car was used by a |
| the GT and fastback model had been introduced. | | | | number of law enforcement agent up until 1993, |
| The car continued to progress, and by the end of | | | | when Ford killed them off. |
| the 60s had become longer by four inches, and a | | | | The fans were wrong, however, and |
| lot heavier than the original, much of this in | | | | development continued as the Mustang |
| response to the development of | | | | conformed with the coming of fuel injection, air |
| Chevrolet’s Firebird and Pontiac. It was | | | | bags and other essential improvements, though |
| the Corvette, however, that brought the Mustang | | | | the original concept had completely disappeared. In |
| into the road racing arena. The Mustang was so | | | | 2005 Ford finally ditched the ancient Fox platform |
| popular, especially with the young, that Ford were | | | | and introduced that now used for the Lincoln and |
| desperate to race it against the Corvette. | | | | the Thunderbird. The newest Mustang has |
| However, only production two seaters were | | | | reverted to some of the original features, and it is |
| allowed to race, and to enable them to do this at | | | | a miracle that the car has survived so long. |
| least 100 two seaters had be produced by | | | | Nobody involved in 1962 development team would |
| January 1965. | | | | have believed that the great Ford Mustang would |
| This was achieved with the help of Mustang fan | | | | still be around 45 years later. |
| and racer, Carol Shelby, who modified 100 of the | | | | |