The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured
by the Ford Motor Company from April 1964
until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang
created a new class of automobile known as
the pony car. The Mustang’s styling, with
its long hood and short deck, proved wildly
popular and inspired a host of imitators.
It was initially introduced as a hardtop and
convertible with the fastback version put
on sale the following year. At the time of
its introduction, the Mustang, sharing its
underpinnings with the Falcon, was slotted
into a compact car segment.
With each revision, the Mustang saw an increase
in overall dimensions and in engine power.
The 1971 model saw a drastic redesign to its
predecessors. After an initial surge, sales
were steadily declining, as Ford began working
on a new generation Mustang. With the onset
of the 1973 oil crisis, Ford was prepared,
having already designed the smaller Mustang
II for the 1974 model year. This new car had
no common components with preceding models.
Conception and styling
As Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager
and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey was the
head engineer for the Mustang project — supervising
the development of the Mustang in a record
18 months from September 1962 to March 1964.
— while Iacocca himself championed the project
as Ford Division general manager.
Drawing on inspiration from the mid-engined
Ford Mustang I concept vehicle, Lee Iacocca
ordered development of a new "small car" to
vice-president of design at Ford, Eugene Bordinat.
Bordinat tasked Ford's three design studios
to create proposals for the new vehicle.
The design teams had been given five goals
for the design of the Mustang: It would seat
four, have bucket seats and a floor mounted
shifter, weigh no more than 2,500 pounds and
be no more than 180 inches in length, sell
for less than $2,500, and have multiple power,
comfort, and luxury options.
The Lincoln–Mercury design studio ultimately
produced the winning design in the intramural
contest, under Project Design Chief Joe Oros
and his team of L. David Ash, Gale Halderman,
and John Foster.
In a 2004 interview, Oros recalls the planning
behind the design:
Oros added:
L. David Ash is often credited with the actual
styling of the Mustang. Ash, in a 1985 interview
speaking of the origin of the Mustang design,
when asked the degree of his contribution,
said:
Gale Haldeman, in a 2002 interview with Collectible
Automobile, spoke of the Mustang's evolution
through the Lincoln-Mercury studio:
To decrease development costs, the Mustang
used chassis, suspension, and drivetrain components
derived from the Ford Falcon and Fairlane.
It used a unitized platform-type frame from
the 1964 Falcon, and welded box-section side
rails, including welded crossmembers. Although
hardtop Mustangs accounted for the highest
sales, durability problems with the new frame
led to the engineering of a convertible first,
which ensured adequate stiffness. Overall
length of the Mustang and Falcon was identical,
although the Mustang's wheelbase was slightly
shorter. With an overall width of 68.2 inches,
it was 2.4 inches narrower, yet the wheel
track was nearly identical. Shipping weight,
approximately 2,570 pounds with the straight
six-cylinder engine, was also similar to the
Falcon. A fully equipped V8 model weighed
approximately 3,000 pounds. Although most
of the mechanical parts were from the Falcon,
the Mustang's body was completely different;
sporting a shorter wheelbase, wider track,
lower seating position and lower overall height.
An industry first, the "torque box" was an
innovative structural system that greatly
stiffened the Mustang's construction and helped
contribute to better handling.
Gale Haldeman speaks of the engineering and
design of the car in his interview, stating:
The idea for a fastback originated with Joe
Oros as well, and was designed in Charlie
Phaneuf's studio. Haldeman recalls as follows:
An additional 4-door model was designed by
Dave Ash as a clay model, but was not considered.
1964–1966
Since it was introduced five months before
the normal start of the 1965 production year
and manufactured alongside 1964 Ford Falcons
and 1964 Mercury Comets, the earliest Mustangs
are widely referred to as the 1964½ model.
A more accurate description is the "early
1965" model because it underwent significant
changes at the beginning of the regular model
year. All the early cars, however, were marketed
by Ford as 1965 models. The low-end model
hardtop used a "U-code" 170 cu in straight-6
engine borrowed from the Falcon, as well as
a three-speed manual transmission and retailed
for US$2,368. Standard equipment for the early
1965 Mustangs included black front seat belts,
a glove box light, and a padded dash board.
Production began in March 1964 and official
introduction following on April 17 at the
1964 World's Fair.
Several changes to the Mustang occurred at
the start of the normal 1965 model year production,
five months after its introduction. These
cars are known as "late 65's," and were built
after factory retooling in August 1964. The
engine lineup was changed, with a 200 cu in
"T-code" engine that produced 120 hp. Production
of the "F-code" 260 cu in engine ceased
when the 1964 model year ended. It was replaced
with a new 200 hp "C-code" 289 cu in engine
with a two-barrel carburetor as the base V8.
An "A-code" 225 hp four-barrel carbureted
version was next in line, followed by the
unchanged "Hi-Po" "K-code" 271 hp 289. The
DC electrical generator was replaced by a
new AC alternator on all Fords. The Mustang
GT version was introduced as the "GT Equipment
Package" and included a V8 engine 289), grille-mounted
fog lamps, rocker panel stripes, and disc
brakes. In the interior the GT option added
a different instrument panel that included
a speedometer, fuel gauge, temp. gauge, oil
pressure gauge and ammeter in five round dials
A four-barrel carbureted engine was now available
with any body style. Additionally, reverse
lights were an option added to the car from
August 1964 production. The Mustang was originally
available as either a hardtop or convertible,
but during the car's early design phases a
fastback model was strongly considered. In
1965, the Shelby Mustang was born, it was
available only in newly introduced fastback
body version with its swept-back rear glass
and distinctive ventilation louvers.
The standard interior features of the 1965
Mustang included adjustable driver and passenger
bucket seats, an AM radio, and a floor mounted
shifter in a variety of color options. Ford
added additional interior options during the
1965 model year. The Interior Decor Group
was popularly known as "Pony Interior" due
to the addition of embossed running ponies
on the seat fronts, and also included integral
armrests, woodgrain appliqué accents, and
a round gauge cluster that would replace the
standard Falcon instrumentation. Also available
were sun visors, a remote-operated mirror,
a floor console, and a bench seat. Ford later
offered an under-dash air-conditioning unit,
and discontinued the vinyl with cloth insert
seat option, offered only in early 1965 models.
One option designed strictly for fun was the
Rally-Pac. Introduced in 1963 after Ford's
success at that year's Monte Carlo Rally and
available on other Ford and Mercury compacts
and intermediates, the Rally-Pac was a combination
clock and tachometer mounted to the steering
column. It was available as a factory ordered
item for US$69.30. Installed by a dealer,
the Rally-Pac cost US$75.95.A 14" rim option
was available for Rally-pac and GT350R vehicles
widening front and rear track to 57.5". Reproductions
are presently available from any number of
Mustang restoration parts sources. A compass,
rear seat belts, A/C, and back-up lights were
also optional.
Nationwide survey of owners by Popular Mechanics
included many complaints about leg room. Fuel
economy was good at 20 mpg at 60 mph.
The 1966 Mustang debuted with moderate trim
changes including a new grille, side ornamentation,
wheel covers and gas cap. Ford's new C-4 "cruise-o-matic"
three-speed auto transmission became available
for the 225 hp V8. The 289 "hipo" K code
engine was also offered with a c4 transmission,
but it had stronger internals and can be identified
by the outer casing of the servo which is
marked with a 'C'. The long duration solid-lifter
camshaft that allowed the high revving 289
to make the horsepower it was known for, was
not friendly for a low stall speed automatic
torque converter. The "HiPo" could be spotted
very easily by the 1-inch-thick vibration
damper, and the absence of a vacuum advance
unit on the dual point distributor. With the
valve covers off, there is a large letter
"K" stamped between the valve springs, that
along with screw in studs for the adjustable
rocker arms. A large number of new paint and
interior color options, an AM/eight-track
sound system, and one of the first AM/FM mono
automobile radios was also offered. It also
removed the Falcon instrument cluster; the
previously optional features, including the
round gauges and padded sun visors, became
standard equipment. The Mustang convertible
would be the best-selling in 1966, with 72,119
sold, beating the number two Impala by almost
2:1.
The 1965 and 1966 Mustangs are differentiated
by variations in the exterior, despite similar
design. These variations include the emblem
on the quarter-panels behind the doors. From
August 1964 production, the emblem was a single
vertical piece of chrome, while for 1966 models
the emblem was smaller in height and had three
horizontal bars extending from the design,
resembling an "E". The front intake grilles
and ornaments were also different. The 1965
front grille used a "honeycomb" pattern, while
the 1966 version was a "slotted" style. While
both model years used the "Horse and Corral"
emblem on the grille, the 1965 had four bars
extending from each side of the corral, while
on the 1966, these bars were removed. The
1966 model year saw introduction of 'High
Country Special' limited edition, 333 of them
were sold in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
When Ford wanted to introduce the Mustang
in Germany, they discovered that Krupp company
had already registered the name for a truck.
The German company offered to sell the rights
for US$10,000. Ford refused and removed Mustang
badges from exported units, instead naming
the cars as T-5 for the German market until
1979 when Krupp copyrights expired.
As popular as the Mustang had become during
this generation, it wasn't offered in Australia.
The Mustang was largely developed from the
Falcon, while in Australia, the Falcon began
to develop into an entirely unique Australian
product. Capitalizing on the popularity of
the Mustang however, Australia was instead
offered the Ford Falcon GT built entirely
in Australia, but the Falcon wasn't offered
in a two-door coupe, instead was available
as a two-door delivery van and a two-door
ute
1965 Mustang AWD Prototype
In 1965, Harry Ferguson Research purchased
3 Mustang notchbacks and converted them to
4x4 in an attempt to sell potential clients
on their FF AWD system. A similar system was
used in the Ferguson P99 Formula One car,
and would go on to be featured in the Jensen
FF, widely considered the first AWD passenger
car. As in the Jensen FF, the AWD Mustangs
also featured an ABS braking system, long
before such a feature was commonplace.
Engines
1967–1968
The 1967 model year Mustang was the first
redesign of the original model. Ford's designers
began drawing up a larger version even as
the original was achieving sales success,
and while "Iacocca later complained about
the Mustang's growth, he did oversee the redesign
for 1967 ." The major mechanical feature was
to allow the installation of a big-block V8
engine. The overall size, interior and cargo
space were increased. Exterior trim changes
included concave taillights, side scoop and
chrome side ornamentation, square rear-view
mirrors, and usual yearly wheel and gas cap
changes. The high-performance 289 option was
placed behind the newer 320 hp 390 cu in
FE engine from the Ford Thunderbird, which
was equipped with a four-barrel carburetor.
A 390 GT engine, and a 4-speed manual transmission
recorded quarter mile times of approximately
13 seconds and trap speeds of over 105 mph.
During the mid-1968 model year, a drag racer
for the street could be ordered with the optional
428 cu in Cobra Jet engine which was officially
rated at 335 hp all of these Mustangs were
issued R codes on their VIN#'s.
The 1967 and 1968 models discontinued the
"Pony Interior" in favor of a new deluxe interior
package, which included special color options,
brushed stainless steel or woodgrain trim,
seat buttons, a tilt steering wheel, and special
interior paneling. The 1968 models that were
produced from January 1968 were also the first
model year to incorporate 3 point lap and
shoulder belts as opposed to the standard
lap belts. The air-conditioning option was
fully integrated into the dash, the speakers
and stereo were upgraded, and unique center
and overhead consoles were options. The fastback
model offered the option of a rear fold-down
seat, and the convertible was available with
folding glass windows. Gone too was the Rally-Pac,
since the new instrument cluster had provisions
for an optional tachometer and clock. Its
size and shape also precluded the installation
of the accessory atop the steering column.
The convenience group with four warning lights
for low fuel, seat belt reminder, parking
brake not released, and door ajar were added
to the instrument panel, or, if one ordered
the optional console and A/C, the lights were
mounted on the console.
Changes for the 1968 model increased safety
with a two-spoke energy-absorbing steering
wheel, along with newly introduced shoulder
belts. Other changes included front and rear
side markers, "FORD" lettering removed from
hood, rearview mirror moved from frame to
windshield, a 302 cu in V8 engine was now
available, and C-Stripe graphics were added.
The California Special Mustang, or GT/CS,
was visually based on the Shelby model and
was only sold in Western states. Its sister,
the 'High Country Special', was sold in Denver,
Colorado. While the GT/CS was only available
as a coupe, the 'High Country Special' model
was available in fastback and convertible
configurations during the 1966 and 1967 model
years, and as a coupe for 1968.
The Mustang fastback gained popular culture
status when used in the crime thriller Bullitt.
Lt. Frank Bullitt, played by actor Steve McQueen,
drove a modified Highland Green 1968 Mustang
GT fastback with 390 cu in 4V engine, chasing
two hitmen in a black 1968 Dodge Charger in
the film's car chase through the streets of
San Francisco.
Engines
1969–1970
The 1969 model year restyle "added more heft
to the body" with body length extended by
3.8 inches, width increased by almost half
an inch, and the Mustang's "weight went up
markedly too." 1969 was the first model to
use quad headlamps placed both inside and
outside the grille opening. The corralled
grille pony was replaced with the pony and
tribars logo, set off-center to the drivers
side. The car was longer than previous models
and sported convex rather than concave side
panels. The fastback body version was renamed
Sportsroof.
The 1969 model year saw the introduction of
the Mach 1, with a variety of powerplants
options and many new styling and performance
features. Distinctive reflective striping
was placed along the body sides, with a pop-open
gas cap, dual exhausts, matte-black hood with
simulated air scoop and NASCAR-style cable
and pin tiedowns. It used steel wheels with
bold-lettered Goodyear Polyglas tires. A functional
"shaker" hood scoop - which visibly vibrated
by being attached directly to the air cleaner
through a hole in the hood - was available,
as were tail-mounted wing and chin spoilers
and rear window louvered blackout shade. The
Mach 1 featured a deluxe interior with simulated
wood trim, high backed seats, extra sound
deadening, remote sports mirrors and other
comforts. The Mach 1 proved popular with buyers
with 72,458 cars sold through 1969.
The Boss 302 was created to meet Trans Am
rules and featured distinctive hockey-stick
stripes, while the understated Boss 429 was
created to homologate the Boss 429 engine
for NASCAR use. The two Boss models received
fame on the track and street and to this day
they still demand premium pricing for their
pedigree. 1628 Boss 302's and 859 Boss 429's
were sold through 1969 - making these vehicles
very rare.
A new "luxury" model became available starting
for 1969, available in only the hardtop body
style. The 'Grande' featured a soft ride,
55 pounds of extra sound deadening, as well
as deluxe interior with simulated wood trim.
It was popular with buyers with 22182 units
sold through 1969.
Amidst other special editions, the 1969 Mustang
E was offered for those desiring high mpg.
The 1969 Limited Edition Mustang E was a rare
fastback special model designed for economy.
It came with a six-cylinder engine), a high
stall torque converter for the standard automatic
transmission and a very low, 2.33:1 rear axle
ratio. Mustang E lettering on the rear quarters
identified the special Mustang E. Air conditioning
was not available on the 'E' model.
The Mustang GT was discontinued in 1969 due
to poor sales versus the success of the new
Mach 1 with only 5396 GT models sold that
year.
A new 250 cu in Thriftpower I6 engine with
155 hp filled the gap between the existing
200 cu in Thriftpower I6 and the V8 engine
line-up.
Although 1969 continued with many of the same
basic V8 engines available on 1968 models,
notably a now revised 302 cu in Windsor engine
with 220 hp, the 390 cu in FE with 320 hp
and the recently launched 428 cu in Cobra
Jet engine with an advertised 335 hp, a variety
of revised options and changes were introduced
to keep the Mustang fresh and competitive
including a new performance V8 available in
250 hp or 290 hp tune known as the 351 cu
in Windsor, which was effectively a stretched
and revised 302 cu in to achieve the extra
stroke.
The 428 cu in Cobra Jet engine continued unchanged
in the 1969 and 1970 model years and continued
to be advertised at just 335 hp despite being
closer to 410 hp. However, whenever a V or
W axle was ordered on any Cobra Jet Mustang,
this kicked in various engine improvements
which were designed to make the engine more
reliable on the strip. These improvements
included an engine oil cooler, stronger crankshaft
and conrods and improved engine balancing
and was named the 'Super Cobra Jet'. On the
order form, these improvements were later
referred to as 'Drag Pack'. Today, these models
request a premium price despite offering no
notable performance increase other than provided
by their unique axle ratios.
The 1969 Shelby Mustang was now under Ford's
control and made to look vastly different
from regular production Mustangs, despite
now being built inhouse by Ford. The custom
styling included a fiberglass front end with
a combination loop bumper/grille that increased
the car's overall length by 3 inches, as well
as five air intakes on the hood. Two models
were available, GT-350 Windsor producing 290 hp)
and GT-500 Cobra Jet engine), in both sportsroof
or convertible versions. All 1969–1970 Shelby
Mustangs were produced in 1969. Because of
dwindling sales, the 789 remaining 1969 cars
were given new serial numbers and titled as
1970 models. They had modified front air dam
and a blackout paint treatment around the
hood scoops.
The 1970 model year Mustangs were restyled
to be less aggressive and therefore returned
to single headlamps which were moved to the
inside of the grille opening with 'fins' on
the outside of the grille sides. Some felt
the aggressive styling of the 1969 model hurt
its sales and this view prompted the headlamp
revisions and simplification of other exterior
styling aspects. It's worth noting though
that 1969 model year sales exceeded those
of 1970. The rear fender air scoops were removed
and the taillight panel was now flat instead
of concave as seen on 1969 models. The interior
options remained mostly unchanged.
1970 model year saw the previous 351W V8 engine
options replaced with a new 351 cu in Cleveland
V8 in either 2V or 4V versions. Though some
early 1970 mustangs, built in 1969, had the
351W. The 351C 4V engine featured 11.0:1 compression
and produced 300 bhp at 5400 rpm. This new
performance engine incorporated elements learned
from the Ford 385 series engine and the Boss
302, particularly the poly-angle combustion
chambers with canted valves and the thin-wall
casting technology.
Ford made 96 'Mustang Twister Special' cars
for Kansas Ford dealers in late 1969. The
Twister Specials were Grabber Orange Mach
1s with special decals. Ford also made a few
'Sidewinders', which were built in Dearborn,
shipped to Omaha, and sold in Iowa and Nebraska.
They were available in Grabber Green, Grabber
Blue, Calypso Corral, and Yellow. The stripes
came in the trunk to be installed by dealers.
Engines
1971–1973
1971
The 1971 Mustang - introduced in September
1970 - was green-lighted by Ford's new president,
Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, formerly of General
Motors. Again, the revised model grew in size,
gaining 3 inches in width in order to accommodate
Ford's big block 429 cu in V8 without need
for an extensive suspension redesign.
As before there were three body styles offered:
Hardtop, Sportsroof, and convertible.
Hardtop
The new 1971 hardtop featured a prominent
"tunnelback" rear window design with flowing
rear pillars, a completion of the styling
exercise of the outgoing model. Hardtops with
'Grande' trim gained a vinyl roof and Grande
badges on the C-pillars.
An additional edition, the Spring Special,
was available between March and May 1971,
which added Mach 1 styling cues to the hardtop.
Sportsroof
Sportsroof models were available in base configurations
in addition to the Mach 1 and Boss 351 sport/performance
options.
The Mach 1s were available with two-tone paint
schemes, optional hockey-stick stripes, NACA
hood scoops, color keyed side mirrors, and
additional sports/performance options. All
Mach 1 models came stock with urethane front
bumpers and an alternate grille equipped with
amber sportlights. Though the Mach 1 is often
associated with the NACA hood and other styling
cues, base Mach 1s could be had with the standard
hood and the 302 2V engine.
Boss 351 examples were similar in appearance
to the Mach 1, and included a larger black-out
hood than Mach 1's, front and rear spoilers,
dual exhaust with no rear valance cutouts,
and chrome bumpers paired with the sportlamp
grill.
Convertible
Convertibles were equipped with a power top
and a glass rear window. These were the last
Mustangs available as a convertible until
1982. Convertibles featured no unique exterior
visual package of their own during their first
year of introduction.
1972
Due to tightening emissions regulations, the
Boss 351 edition and optional 429 big block
were dropped after 1971, leaving the 351 cu in
variants as the largest available engines
for 1972.
Exterior differences were virtually unchanged,
though all 1972 models were revised with "Fasten
Seat Belt" warning lamps on the right side
dash panel. The "Decor Group" exterior trim
package was also revised, allowing coupe and
convertible owners to option their car with
tu-tone lower body paint, plus the honeycomb
sportlamp grill from the Mach 1/Boss 351 and
the Mach 1's urethane bumper.
A commemorative Olympic Sprint Edition was
released between March and June of this year.
Sprint editions were available in Hardtop
and Sportsroof variants, and featured white
paint schemes with light blue accents and
USA shield decals on the rear quarter panels.
An additional 50 Sprint convertibles were
produced exclusively for the 1972 National
Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C.
1972 saw the end of the special Ford muscle
car performance engine era. At mid-year, Ford
offered a slightly detuned Boss 351 engine,
which could be ordered with any model. Only
398 Mustangs were built with the drag race
oriented R code motor and was designated as
the 351 HO. Mandatory options were the top
loader 4 speed, competition N case rear end,
and air conditioning delete. Vacuum operated
Ram Air was not available, however the HO
came with the first full time cold air induction
system in a Mustang, routing cold air via
a 2 piece plastic duct under the battery tray
to the air cleaner snorkel. All 351 HO cars
were manufactured in Dearborn, MI.
1973
1973 brought some mild restyling. The urethane
front bumper became standard, and was enlarged
in accordance with new NHTSA standards. All
Mustang models had their sportlamps re-purposed
as turn signals, as the new bumper covered
part of the front valance. These new lamps
- unlike their 1971/72 counterparts - were
now oriented vertically. Both a Mach 1 and
base grille were offered, with differing insert
patterns.
Mach 1 decals were also revised in 1972 for
1973 models, and the previous hockey stick
side stripes of 1971–1972 models became
an option on hardtops and convertibles with
the addition of the 'Exterior Decor Group'.
Magnum 500 wheels, previously optional, were
superseded by forged aluminum 5-hole wheels.
The 1973 model year Mustang was the final
version of the original pony car, as the model
name migrated to the economy, Ford Pinto-based
Mustang II the next year.
Other variants
A small number of Mexican-produced cars were
manufactured with the 'GT-351' trim package,
under license by Shelby de Mexico. Additionally,
14 Shelby Europa vehicles were modified and
decaled by Belgian Shelby dealer Claude Dubois
for European clientele.
Engines
Automakers in the U.S. switched from gross
to net power and torque ratings in 1972; thus,
it is difficult to compare power and torque
ratings between 1971 and 1972.
Production
In 1964 Mustang production started with 22,000
orders taken on the first day. In the first
two years of production, three Ford Motor
Company plants in Milpitas, California; Dearborn,
Michigan; and Metuchen, New Jersey produced
almost 1.5 million Mustangs.
Industry reaction
Mustang success left General Motors unprepared.
Chrysler introduced the Plymouth Barracuda
a few weeks before the Mustang, and although
it was later redesigned as a distinct "pony
car", it was initially a modified Plymouth
Valiant. However, the "fish car" did not enjoy
as strong a market demand as Ford's "pony".
General Motors executives thought the rear-engined
Chevrolet Corvair Monza would compete against
the Mustang, but it also sold poorly by comparison.
The Monza performed well, but lacked a V8
engine and its reputation was tarnished by
Ralph Nader in his book Unsafe At Any Speed.
It took GM until the 1967 model year to counter
with the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.
Lincoln-Mercury joined the competition in
1966 with the Mercury Cougar, an "upmarket
Mustang" and subsequent Motor Trend Car of
the Year. In 1967, American Motors introduced
the Javelin, an "image changing" four-place
pony car. This "real standout" model was quickly
followed with "a Walter Mitty Ferrari," the
two-seater high-performance AMX. In 1969,
the Dodge Challenger, a version of the Plymouth
Barracuda platform, was last to join the pony
car race. This genre of small, sporty automobiles
is often referred to as the "pony car" because
of the Ford Mustang that established this
market segment.
References
Further reading
Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang Mach 1
Shelby Mustang
