A look back at 1964 - 1973 Mustangs, the first generation.
04-01-09: The introduction of the Ford Mustang brought about a whirlwind romance straight from the silver screen, but this time…between the American people, and the open road.
The Mustang awakened people to a whole new world of transportation. For the first time, the “joy” of driving, and all the excitement that can be had behind the wheel, was not only relegated to the rich or famous. This was a car for the masses, for everyone, this was a gift for all.
The original Ford Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964, and at a starting price of $2,368, it was a bargain even at that time. Because the 1964 1/2 Mustang was not only such an exciting prospect, but an affordable one, the interest for these vehicles was unprecedented. This immense demand was realized in Garland Texas, when 15 customers bid on the same Mustang, and the winner insisted on sleeping in the car overnight to guarantee that it wouldn’t get sold from under him before his check cleared the next day. This is only one of many extraordinary examples that certainly exist over the years.
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22,000 Mustang orders were taken on the very first day, and sales reached an astounding 417,000 in the car’s first 12 months on the market. Shortly thereafter, it passed the one million mark in March of 1966. The 1966 Mustang was the first – and perhaps the only – car to park on the 86th floor observation deck of New York’s Empire State Building. Ford engineers disassembled a 1966 Mustang convertible and took it up in four sections using the building’s passenger elevators.
The Mustang has been “the star,” if you will, in hundreds of movies. Its first notable appearance was in 1964, with the James Bond movie Goldfinger, in which Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 chased a white Mustang convertible.
The Mustang not only enhanced the big screen…but was, and still is to this day, the inspiration for countless toys. Parents who were proud owners of a Mustang …or wish they were, bought 93,000 pedal-powered children’s Mustangs during the 1964 Christmas season. The demand for anything “Mustang” was simply relentless.
A horse of a different color, made its appearance in 1965, when the Shelby GT350 was introduced, with a 306 horsepower V-8 engine, giving the Mustang performance credibility, causing Mustang-mania to hit new heights. Carroll Shelby adapted the Shelby GT350 for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition when the 289-cid V-8 “Hi-Po” engine became available, and the GT350 went on to win three straight SCCA national championships.
The 1967 Mustang was considered by many, to be the high water mark for Mustang design in the 1960s. The 2+2 model went from a semi-notchback to a sweeping full fastback roofline. Separate triple tail lamps, a longer nose and a larger grille, made for an even more aggressive stance. Quickly on the 67’s heels, the 428 Cobra Jet engine was introduced in the 1968 Mustang, as part of an option package aimed at enthusiasts, and it helped make the Shelby GT500 become King of the Road, known even today, as the Shelby KR.
The constant desire to satisfy “the people” yielded 11 different power-train combinations in the 1969 Mustang. New models added to the lineup included hot rods like the 290 horsepower Boss 302, the 375 horsepower Boss 429 and the Mach 1, giving the Mustang its muscle car heritage. The Grande luxury model also was introduced, marking a turning point, for a larger Mustang.
Changes coming fast and many were continued in the 1970 Mustang. A ram air “Shaker” hood scoop could be ordered on any Mustang equipped with a 351-cid or larger V-8.
In 1971, the car took yet another growth spurt. Nearly a foot longer and roughly 600 pounds heavier than the original, the 1971 Mustangs were the biggest Mustangs ever. Apart from the notable size increase, the Boss 351, with its 351 “Cleveland” V-8 and Cobra Jet heads, debuted. The Mach 1 was available with
a variety of power-trains, topped by the 370 horsepower 429 Super Cobra Jet, were introduced as well.
In 1973, the impact of gasoline shortages, rising insurance premiums and emissions controls brought the muscle car era to a close. The 1973 model was the last original Falcon-platform Mustang, and the convertible model was discontinued.
