A Brief History of the Ford Mustang - National Mustang Day - Part 1

In honor of National Mustang Day, we thought it would be cool to write a special multi-part historical look at our favorite Pony Car. Hope you enjoy it!

Introduction

The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic and beloved American sports cars of all time. Since its introduction in 1964, it has become a symbol of American muscle and automotive innovation, and it continues to be one of the most popular sports cars on the market today. In this two-part series, we'll take a closer look at the history of the Ford Mustang and how it has evolved over the years.

The Birth of the Mustang

In the early 1960s, Ford Motor Company was looking for a way to tap into the youth market that was rapidly growing in the United States. Lee Iacocca, then vice president of Ford, proposed the development of a new sports car that would appeal to young buyers. The car would be affordable, stylish, and customizable, and it would fill the gap between the compact Ford Falcon and the high-performance Ford Thunderbird.

The Mustang was introduced to the public on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair. The car was an instant success, with over 22,000 units sold on the first day alone. The Mustang was available as a coupe or a convertible, with a choice of six-cylinder or V8 engines, and a range of options and accessories.

The Development of the Mustang

The development of the Mustang began in the early 1960s, with a team of Ford engineers and designers led by Lee Iacocca. The team was tasked with developing a new sports car that would be affordable, stylish, and customizable. The Mustang was designed to be a "halo" car, a vehicle that would attract buyers to the Ford brand and help to increase sales of other Ford models.

The Mustang was built on the Ford Falcon platform, which allowed for easy production and a lower cost. The design of the Mustang was influenced by a number of factors, including the European sports cars of the time, the Thunderbird, and the Falcon. The Mustang was also designed to be customizable, with a range of options and accessories that allowed buyers to create a car that was unique to them.

The Early Years of the Mustang

The early years of the Mustang were marked by incredible success. The car was an instant hit with buyers, and demand for the Mustang was so high that Ford had trouble keeping up with production. The Mustang quickly became an icon of American automotive culture, and it helped to define the "pony car" segment, which also included cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.

In 1965, Ford introduced the Mustang GT, a high-performance version of the car that featured a V8 engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and a range of performance upgrades. The Mustang GT helped to solidify the car's reputation as a high-performance vehicle, and it helped to attract a new generation of buyers to the Ford brand.

In 1966, the Mustang was updated with a new design that featured a longer hood and a shorter rear deck. The car also received a range of performance upgrades, including the introduction of the Shelby GT350, a high-performance version of the Mustang that was designed by Carroll Shelby.

Overall, the Mustang's early years were a time of incredible success and innovation. The car helped to define a new segment of the automotive market, and it established Ford as a leader in the production of high-performance, customizable sports cars.

Mustang in the 1970s

As the 1960s came to an end, the Mustang faced new challenges. The muscle car era was beginning to come to a close, and the oil crisis of the early 1970s meant that smaller, more fuel-efficient cars were becoming more popular. The Mustang underwent a significant redesign for 1971, with a longer, wider body and a heavier frame. The Mustang's iconic fastback was gone, replaced by a more traditional notchback design. Sales declined in the early 1970s, as the Mustang struggled to find its place in a changing market.

In 1974, Ford introduced the Mustang II, which was based on the subcompact Pinto platform. It was smaller and more fuel-efficient than previous Mustangs, and it helped to revive sales. However, many Mustang enthusiasts were disappointed by the car's lack of power and performance. The Mustang II was available with a range of engines, including a four-cylinder, a V6, and a V8, but none of them were particularly powerful.

The Mustang II was produced from 1974 to 1978, and during that time, it was the only Mustang model available. In 1979, the Mustang underwent another redesign, with a new body style and a new platform. The new Mustang was more powerful than the Mustang II, with a range of V8 engines available. The Mustang's performance began to improve in the late 1970s, thanks in part to the popularity of drag racing and the development of new aftermarket parts.

Despite its challenges, the Mustang remained a popular car in the 1970s. In 1973, the Mustang set a new sales record, with over 385,000 units sold. The Mustang also remained popular in motorsports, with successful runs in drag racing, road racing, and rally racing. The Mustang was featured in popular movies and TV shows of the era, including "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "Charlie's Angels."

By the end of the 1970s, the Mustang was beginning to regain some of its performance credentials. The oil crisis was over, and consumers were once again interested in powerful, high-performance cars. The Mustang was well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, with a range of powerful engines and a growing aftermarket parts industry.

Overall, the 1970s were a challenging decade for the Mustang, as the car struggled to find its place in a changing automotive landscape. However, the Mustang remained a popular car, and it continued to evolve and adapt to new trends and challenges.