The Early Years

The Early Years

2,500. Funding was approved for the project in the fall of 1962, but it wasn't until March 9, 1964 that the first Mustang finally rolled off of the assembly line. The Mustang was derived from the Falcon. Many of the components from the Falcon were incorporated in the first Mustangs to keep the cost down, including the drive train components. With an aggressive advertising campaign, over 22,000 Ford Mustangs were sold on the very first day that the car was available. By the end of 1964, over 250,000 Mustangs had been sold. The first model was eventually called the 1964 陆 due to the short model year. The 1964 car was available in a coup and a convertible. The early engine choices included a 170 cu in/ 101 HP/ 6 cylinder, a 260 cu in / 164 HP / V-8, and a 289/ 210 HP/ V8. By June of 1964, Ford released a super fast version of the Mustang with a 289 cu in V8 with a four barrel carburetor and a solid lift cam which pushed the power up to 271 HP.

With a 4 speed transmission and weighing in at only 2,500lbs, this was a fast car in its day. 2 Fastback was introduced in 1965. This new model would eventually become the basis of the infamous Carol Shelby GT350. The standard 289 engine was upgraded to 225 HP. This was also the year that the interior option known as the pony interior was introduced. The package included seat covers with running horses displayed across the seat back. The 1966 Mustangs were very similar to their 1965 counterparts. Three body styles were sold, including the Mustang GT Coupe, the Mustang GT Convertible, and the Mustang GT Fastback. This was the year the three fingered rear quarter panel ornament was introduced. The number of color options available to customers increased to 34. Production in 1966 was over 600,000 units. It was in 1967 that the first major overhaul of the body style took place. The height increased by 陆". The length increased by 2 戮". A new power-plant was introduced, the 390 cu in big block generating 320 HP, enough power to smoke the rear tires at will.

Ford introduced the new FMX transmission in 1967 as well allowing for manual or automatic shifting. Production in 1967 had fallen back to 472,000 cars. In 1968, several regional models were sold such as the California Special and the High Country Special. The 289 was replaced with a 230 HP / 302 cu in / V8. New for 1968 was an optional AM/FM stereo. In 1969, Ford introduced 2 special engines: the Boss 302 and the Boss 429. This was also the first year for the new standard 351 cu in V8. The 1970 models included the Mustang Coupe and the Mustang Grande. Ford eliminated the 390 cu in engine in 1970 and replaced it with the new 351 cu in Cleveland engine. The Cleveland was available in both a 2 barrel carburetor model and a 4 barrel version. In 1971, Ford offered 3 body styles: the Mustang Coupe, the Mustang Grand, and the Mustang Mach 1. Power-plant choices included the 330 HP / 351 Boss and a robust 370 HP / 429 cu in engine. This was the last year of the classic pony car. The popular muscle car would be replaced by a compact car with a small engine. The 1973 model was virtually the same as the 1971 and 1972 versions.

It looked impressive, though the Cobra II wasn't any faster than other similarly powered Mustang II's. Also new this year was the now 134-horsepower V8 made available with a four-speed manual transmission, with an output of the standard four surging to 92 horsepower while the V6's rating jumped to 102 horsepower. Sales for 1976 peaked at 187,567 units. The 1977 Mustang II was only featured minor trim changes from the previous year. The Cobra II did receive a variety of new colors available. The options list now included T-top removable glass roof panels and simulated wire wheel covers. The extreme 'King Cobra' version was introduced in 1978 and featured some snazzy graphics along with a hood scoop turned backward. The only changes for the Mustang II for this year were minor updates to the trim. Production for 1978 surprisingly peaked at 192,410 units. The sixth generation of the Ford Mustang was unveiled in 1979 and was built atop the shortened chassis of the Ford Fairmont 'Fox' body that had been introduced the year before.

The Pinto parts were replaced with the unibody structure of the Fox platform, but that's where the similarities ended. A modified MacPherson strut system was the new front suspension that mounted a spring separate from the strut itself, while a new link and coil spring rear suspension held up the back of the car. This basic suspension system would remain in use on the Ford Mustang until the 2003 mode lyear. The 1979 Mustang could be purchased as a coupe or a fastback hatchback. Measuring at 179.1 inches, the new Mustang rode on a 100.4-inch wheelbase. This model featured much more room than previous Mustangs due to a more upright-oriented cockpit and flatter doors that allowed for more shoulder and hip room. Not really recognizable as previous models, the new Mustang was attractive, angular and handsome. Four square headlights appeared, but no running horse in the shovel nose grille, and the sides also no longer featured the signature side scallop. The taillights were also divided into six segments instead of three.