A brief look at the different Mustang models spanning the last five decades. ;xNLx;;xNLx;For more information, check out The Leden Group;xNLx;;xNLx;Source: Philipp at https://www.flickr.com/photos/spunkr/5797368980/
After the war there was change all around. A group of individuals at Ford wanted to create something that young men everywhere would want to buy. Something unlike anything else on the market. The next big thing. Little did they know that 50 years later, their initial idea would have the level of prestige that the Mustang demands. Here is a look at the Mustang spanning five decades.
After a countless number of trails and designs, the first mustang is ready to make its debut appearance. After winning an in-house competition the Mustang Cougar is born. The title "Mustang" is in homage to both the Mustang Fighter Plane that battled in the war and the small American horse from the west, since the design takes on similar characteristics to the classic Pony car.
The Ford Mustang goes on sale in April 1965 in convertible and hardtop styles. 22,000 orders are made in one day alone, while in the first 12 months 417,000 Mustangs are sold, cementing itself in design history. Cars are no longer just practical means of transportation, they are now sleek and stylish. Anyone worth their salt has to own a Mustang.
Two seater, sports car with a mid engine, sweeping hood, sculpted flanks, three-speed floor-shift transmission, weighing 2,572 pounds: The first Mustang Cougar makes its debut appearance in New York in 1965 and wows everyone. The next five generations promises great success with a range of new designs along the way.
With car lovers in mind, the 1968 Mustang is larger, but it's not until 1971 that the biggest Mustang is released, with up to 370 horsepower and weighing almost 700 pounds more than the original. In 1973 the convertible Mustang is discontinued and the muscle-car era comes to an end thanks to gasoline shortages and insurance premium increases.
Currently on display at The Henry Ford, the first Mustang ever built was accidentally sold to the pilot: Capt. Stanley Tucker. An acquisition mission had to be carried out to retrieve the vehicle.
From 1975-1993 the running horse plates were not produced. When it returned, the horse's head was facing to the right instead of the original left.
490 pounds lighter and 19 inches shorter, a re-designed Mustang is released in 1974. Although it can only boast of 109 horsepower, it still has the classic Mustang look; being readily available in the same style as the Ghia model, known for its luxurious feel.
Not only is there now an option of purchasing a Mustang with a T-top removable glass roof panel, throwing the convertible fans into outbursts of joy, a sports performance package is now available; with a four-speed manual transmission.
In 1965 the song Mustang Sally was released by Mack Rice and is known as one of the earliest references to the Mustang. The song did not become a hit until one year later, while the Mustang instantly has a place in all our hearts.
