Ford Mustang Background Facts

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MUSTANG FACTS: 1964 – 1973

The original Ford Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964, at a price of $2,368 – a bargain even at that time.

Dealers were inundated with requests for the vehicle. In Garland, Texas, 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 cheque cleared the next day.

Ford expected annual sales of about 100,000 units, but 22,000 Mustang orders were taken on the first day, and sales reached an astounding 417,000 in the car’s first 12 months on the market.

Not much more than a month after its introduction, Ford’s new Mustang was on the racetrack as the pace car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500 race.

The early Mustangs have figured prominently in hundreds of notable films to date, beginning in 1964 with the James Bond movie Goldfinger, in which Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 chased a white Mustang convertible.

Mustang-crazed parents bought 93,000 pedal-powered children’s Mustangs during the 1964 Christmas season.

In 1965, the Shelby GT350 was introduced, with a 306 horsepower (228kW) V8 engine, giving the Mustang performance credibility.

Mustang sales 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.

Mustang-mania hit full force. The 289-cid V8 “Hi-Po” engine became available. Carroll Shelby adapted the Shelby GT350 for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition, 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 bigger grille made for a more aggressive stance.

In 1968, the 428 Cobra Jet engine was introduced as part of an option package aimed at enthusiasts, and it helped make the Shelby GT500 become King of the Road – KR.

A “steed for every need” philosophy yielded 11 different powertrain combinations in 1969.

New models added to the lineup included hot rods like the 290 horsepower (216 kW) Boss 302, the 375 horsepower (279 kW) Boss 429 and the Mach 1, giving the Mustang its muscle car heritage. The Grande luxury model also was introduced.

In 1970, a ram air “Shaker” hood scoop could be ordered on any Mustang equipped with a 351-cid or larger V8.

The 1971 Mustangs were the biggest Mustangs ever – nearly a foot longer and some 270 kg heavier than the originals. The Boss 351, with its 351 “Cleveland” V8 and Cobra Jet heads, debuted. The Mach 1 was available with a variety of powertrains, topped by the 370 horsepower (275 kW) 429 Super Cobra Jet.

In 1973, the impact of petrol shortages, rising insurance premiums and more stringent 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.

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The completely redesigned Mustang II was introduced in 1974. Compared with the 1973 model, the Mustang II was 480mm shorter and 220 kg lighter. It was available in a notchback, including a luxury Ghia model and a 2+2 fastback. For the first time, there was no V8 engine and no Mustang convertible option available.

An orange 1973 Mustang Mach I was featured in a prominent role in the action movie Gone in 60 Seconds, which debuted in 1974.

In 1975, V8 power returned to the Mustang. But the 302-cid V8 engine produced only 130 horsepower (95 kW) and came only with an automatic transmission.

The Cobra II package joined the lineup in 1976, replete with non-functional hood scoop, racing stripes and front and rear spoilers. Available in white with blue stripes, blue with white stripes, and black with gold stripes, the Cobra II was intended to recall the looks of the famed Shelby Mustangs.

In an attempt to appeal to convertible fans, fastback models became available with T-Top removable glass roof panels. A new Sports Performance Package added a four-speed manual transmission to the 302-cid V8.

In 1978, the new King Cobra model was the first Mustang to wear a 5.0 badge – the metric equivalent of 302 cubic inches.

The new “Fox” platform made its debut in 1979. The new model was longer and taller than the Mustang II, yet it was 90 kg lighter. A sleek, “Euro” design replaced many traditional Mustang styling cues. Engine choices included a 2.3-litre four-cylinder, a 2.8-litre V6, a 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder and a 140-horsepower (103 kW) 5.0-litre V8.

In 1980, the 302-cid V8 engine was dropped and replaced by an economy-minded 119-horsepower (88 kW), 255-cid V8 derivative.

In 1981, performance headed to the back burner, as the turbo four-cylinder was dropped from the Mustang engine lineup and new emissions controls dropped the 255-cid V8’s power to 115 horsepower (85 kW).

In 1982, the Mustang GT returned after a 12-year absence. The 5.0-litre V8, which delivered 157 horsepower (115 kW), was also back, and optional T-Tops returned.


By 1983, the Mustang convertible was back. And so was the “Boss,” as Ford’s pony car steadily returned to its roots as a performance vehicle, following the gas crisis and tighter emissions standards that influenced the Mustangs of the 70s.

In 1984, Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team created the Mustang SVO. It sported a front fascia with fog lamps, functional hood scoop and a unique dual-wing rear spoiler. A turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine produced 175 horsepower (129 kW).

Also in 1984, a special V8 powered Mustang GT was created to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Mustang. It was a special limited edition done in Oxford White with a Canyon Red interior.

In 1985, Mustang received a 5.0-litre high output V8 that made 210 horsepower (154 kW) when mated to a manual transmission. New Quadra-Shock rear suspension provided better acceleration and reduced wheel hop on fast takeoffs.

Mustang’s V8 traded its carburetor for sequential multi-port fuel injection in 1986.

In 1987, the Mustang was restyled with a new “aero-look” body. The 5.0-litre V8 produced 225 horsepower (165 kW).











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For its 25th Anniversary, all Mustangs produced between April 17, 1989, and April 17, 1990, sported the familiar running horse on the dashboard with “25 Years” inscribed underneath.

In 1990, Mustang sported a drivers side airbag as standard equipment.

In 1991, entry-level Mustangs received an improved 105-horsepower (77 kW), twin-plug 2.3-litre four-cylinder with the distributor-less ignition. All V8 models came with new five-spoke 16 x 7-inch cast aluminum wheels.

The stealthy Mustang LX 5.0 developed a cult following in 1992 and outsold all other models combined. Wire-style wheel covers and whitewall tires disappeared from the options list.

In 1993, Ford’s new Special Vehicle Team (SVT) introduced the limited-production SVT Mustang Cobra with subtle but distinctive styling cues and performance upgrades. The low-volume 1993 Cobra R, developed to be used as a race car, sold out before production


The 1994 Mustang, which ushered in the fourth generation of Mustangs, was dramatically restyled to evoke its pony car heritage. The hatchback style was dropped, leaving the two-door coupe and convertible. The SVT (Special Vehicle Team) Cobra launched with a 240-horsepower (176 kW) 5.0-litre V8.

1995 was the final model year for the 5.0-litre V8, which began life as the 260- and later 289-cid engine. The second SVT Cobra R was introduced with a 300-horsepower (220 kW) 5.8-litre V8 and five-speed manual transmission.

In 1996, Mustang GT's and SVT Mustang Cobras were equipped for the first time with 4.6-litre Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) V8, which produced 305 horsepower (224 kW).

Ford’s Passive Anti-Theft System became standard on all models in 1997.

In 1998, the output of Mustang GT’s 4.6-litre V8 was increased to 225 horsepower (165 kW).

A redesigned Mustang debuted in 1999. It sported sharper lines, pronounced wheel arches plus new hood, grille, fascias, and lamps. The SVT Mustang Cobra became the first Mustang with independent rear suspension. The 4.6-litre DOHC V8 produced 320 horsepower (235 kW).

In 2000, the third Mustang SVT Cobra R was produced in a 300-unit run. It came with a 386-horsepower (284 kW), 5.4-litre DOHC V8 mated to Mustang’s first ever six-speed transmission.

Inspired by the 1968 movie, the first Mustang Bullitt GT model was offered. It featured unique side scoops, 17-inch “Bullitt”-styled wheels and lowered and specially-tuned suspension.

In 2002, production ended for two of Mustang’s closest competitors: Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

The Mach I returned in 2003 with a 305-horsepower (224 kW) V8 under a signature ram-air “Shaker” hood scoop. The supercharged SVT Mustang Cobra produced 390 horsepower (287 kW).

In 2004, Ford produced its 300 millionth car – a Mustang GT convertible 40th-anniversary edition. The 2004 models were the last cars built at Ford’s fabled Dearborn Assembly Plant, which built Mustangs since the car’s 1964 introduction.

In 2005, production of the all-new Mustang moved to Flat Rock, Mich. Plant. The Mustang’s V6 engine was increased to 4.0-litres, and the V8 increased to 300 horsepower (220 kW).











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The V6 “Pony Package” debuted in 2006. GT models got 18-inch wheels, and owners could configure instrument panel lighting in 125 different colors, an industry first, using Ford’s MyColor instrument gauge.

In 2007, Ford introduced a special “Warriors in Pink” Mustang, designed to help raise funds for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer research. The vehicle lineup also included the Mustang Shelby GT and the Shelby GT500KR. The second limited-edition Mustang Bullitt was introduced in November.

The 9 millionth Mustang – a GT convertible – was built in 2008 and sold to an Iowa farmer.

The 2009 Mustang features a glass roof option and special 45th anniversary badging.

The 2010 Mustang was introduced in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It cleverly combines modern technology with Mustang heritage and a V8 with even more horsepower and even throatier signature Mustang exhaust sound.











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Ford Mustang Background Facts