Try our newest merchandise
The Ford Mustang has been galloping by American tradition for six many years now, and with that form of legendary standing comes an entire lot of myths and misconceptions. From storage speak to web boards, there’s no scarcity of “details” in regards to the pony automotive that merely don’t maintain up below scrutiny. Whether or not you’re a longtime fanatic or somebody contemplating becoming a member of the Mustang household, it’s time to separate truth from fiction.
Let’s bust a number of the most persistent Mustang myths which have been circulating for years. A few of these misconceptions may shock you, whereas others could have you nodding your head as you keep in mind listening to Uncle Bob spout the identical nonsense eventually yr’s automotive present. Both means, it’s excessive time we set the report straight on America’s favourite pony automotive.
“The First Mustang Was a 1964½”
Right here’s one which even seasoned lovers get mistaken: there’s truly no such factor as a “1964½” Mustang. Ford launched the Mustang on April 17, 1964, however each single automotive that rolled off the meeting line that yr was formally designated as a 1965 mannequin. The entire “1964½” factor began as a result of automotive journalists wanted a approach to distinguish between the early manufacturing automobiles and the later ones that had some minor adjustments.
The confusion stems from Ford’s timing greater than the rest. Most automakers introduce their new mannequin yr automobiles within the fall, however Ford wished to capitalize on the spring car-buying season and the World’s Truthful in New York. So that they launched what was technically a 1965 mannequin in April 1964. There have been certainly some early manufacturing adjustments – issues like generator versus alternator, completely different door handles, and seat particulars – however these had been operating adjustments, not a separate mannequin yr designation.
“Mustangs Are Simply Rebadged Falcons”
This one drives Mustang purists completely loopy, and for good cause – it’s largely baloney. Sure, the unique Mustang shared some parts with the Ford Falcon, together with the fundamental unibody construction and a few suspension items, however calling it a “rebadged Falcon” is like saying a pizza is simply rebadged bread as a result of they each use dough. And hey, if that’s thought of a rebrand, everyone knows which one we desire anyway.
The Mustang’s wheelbase was truly 4 inches shorter than the Falcon’s, and Ford made important adjustments to the chassis, suspension tuning, and general structure. Extra importantly, the Mustang launched a totally completely different design philosophy: it was decrease, wider, and had that particular lengthy hood, brief deck proportions that turned the template for each pony automotive that adopted. Ford’s engineers and designers put severe work into making the Mustang its personal animal, not simply slapping new sheet metallic on an current financial system automotive.
“You Can’t Day by day Drive a Basic Mustang”
Inform that to the hundreds of parents who hearth up their classic ponies each morning for the commute to work. This false impression in all probability began as a result of some individuals suppose something constructed earlier than gas injection and pc controls is inherently unreliable. The reality is, a well-maintained basic Mustang may be simply as reliable as another automotive from its period – and generally extra so.
Certain, you’ll must be extra hands-on with upkeep in comparison with a contemporary automotive, and also you may need to make a couple of reliability upgrades like digital ignition or a extra environment friendly radiator. However the fundamental small-block Ford V8s in these automobiles had been designed to run for a whole lot of hundreds of miles with correct care. Many house owners discover that driving their classics usually truly retains them in higher form than storage queens that sit unused for months at a time.
“All Mustang II’s Are Horrible Automobiles”
The Mustang II will get extra hate than a referee at a house recreation, however many of the criticism is unfair and ignores the context of when it was constructed. Sure, it was smaller and fewer highly effective than the unique, however Ford was responding to the oil disaster, new emissions laws, and insurance coverage corporations that had been hammering muscle automotive house owners with sky-high premiums. The Mustang II truly saved the nameplate from extinction. You’re welcome, jeez.
From a pure engineering standpoint, the Mustang II was truly fairly superior for its time. It had higher dealing with than the unique because of its rack-and-pinion steering and impartial entrance suspension – expertise that wouldn’t seem in common Mustangs once more till the Fox physique. The inside was extra refined, the construct high quality improved considerably, and it supplied first rate gas financial system when fuel costs had been by the roof. Ford bought over one million Mustang IIs, so anyone was shopping for them for good causes.
“The EcoBoost Mustang Isn’t a ‘Actual’ Mustang”
4-cylinder Mustang haters love to assert that the EcoBoost isn’t a “actual” Mustang as a result of it doesn’t have a V8 rumble. This fully ignores Mustang historical past: Ford has been placing four-cylinders in Mustangs since 1974, and the unique pony automotive was designed from day one to supply a number of engine choices, together with economical ones.
Extra importantly, the present 2.3-liter EcoBoost makes 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, which is extra energy than most V8 Mustangs made in the course of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties. It’s additionally lighter than the GT, giving it higher steadiness and dealing with traits that many driving lovers truly desire. The EcoBoost can run 0-60 within the mid-5-second vary and handles like a dream on twisty roads. Dismissing it as a result of it doesn’t sound like a small-block Ford is lacking the purpose solely – it’s in regards to the driving expertise, not simply the soundtrack. Though we will’t deny how a lot we love that growling V8.
“Mustangs All the time Lose to Camaros on the Monitor”
The everlasting Mustang versus Camaro debate has been raging since 1967, and each camps like to cherry-pick information to assist their place. The truth is that each automobiles have had their moments within the solar, and which one comes out forward often is dependent upon the precise yr, trim degree, and what sort of observe you’re speaking about.
In recent times, the Mustang has truly been holding its personal fairly effectively in opposition to the Camaro in skilled racing and impartial testing. The present GT350 and GT500 have set lap information at a number of tracks, and the common GT constantly posts aggressive occasions in opposition to equally outfitted Camaros. Extra importantly, Ford’s funding in track-focused variants just like the GT350R and the upcoming Darkish Horse exhibits they’re severe about efficiency credibility. On the finish of the day, each automobiles are glorious, and the “winner” typically comes right down to driver talent and private choice greater than inherent superiority.
Setting the File Straight
After six many years of manufacturing, the Mustang has earned its stripes as one in every of America’s most necessary automotive icons. However with that legendary standing comes quite a lot of misinformation, outdated assumptions, and plain outdated automotive folklore that doesn’t match actuality. Whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the early manufacturing historical past, platform sharing, every day usability, or trendy efficiency capabilities, the details typically inform a really completely different story than the myths.
The following time you hear somebody spouting one in every of these misconceptions at a automobiles and low meet or in an internet discussion board, you’ll be armed with the details to set them straight. The Mustang’s actual story is spectacular sufficient with out all of the mythology – generally the reality is even higher than the legend. And isn’t that precisely what you’d anticipate from America’s favourite pony automotive?
