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The Ford Mustang is greater than only a automotive; it’s an icon of American efficiency, design, and popular culture. Since its debut within the Sixties, this pony automotive has galloped into garages worldwide and left tire marks on the whole lot from Hollywood to racetracks.
With over 60 years of steady manufacturing and greater than 10 million offered, the Mustang has accrued a wealthy legacy stuffed with milestones, particular editions, and stunning trivia. Whether or not you’re a lifelong fan or simply fell in love with Mustangs for the primary time, listed here are among the coolest info each fanatic ought to know.
Fascinating Info and The place to Discover Them
This listing isn’t meant to stump the consultants or dig into obscure trivia identified solely to die-hard collectors. As an alternative, it’s a curated assortment of the important thing milestones, standout stats, and iconic moments which have formed the Mustang’s identification over the previous six a long time. From its debut on the
World’s Honest to its standing as a world best-seller, these are the info that each fanatic ought to know. Whether or not you’re model new to the automotive scene, simply fell in love with the Mustang’s type, or need a crash course in its legacy earlier than your subsequent Vehicles and Espresso meet, that is the right place to begin exploring what makes this pony automotive such a permanent American icon.
The Mustang First Debuted on the World’s Honest
Ford first introduced the highlight onto the Mustang in 1964 on the New York World’s Honest within the Ford Pavilion, often known as the Surprise Rotunda. Not solely was it on show for the media and public to view, however folks might hop within the automotive, journey in a convertible Mustang, and journey alongside the Magic Skyway.
In line with Ford, practically 15 million guests loved this half-mile, 12-minute journey, getting the possibility to expertise the automotive firsthand, take a look at choices, and play with equipment. Maybe it was this strategic transfer that made folks fall in love with the Mustang so shortly. That brings us to the following level on our listing.
A whole lot of Hundreds of Mustangs Bought within the First 12 months
Within the first 12 months of manufacturing, Ford offered an unbelievable variety of Mustangs. In line with the Monetary Instances, 418,000 models have been offered within the first 12 months, with the unique worth beginning at $2,400, incomes it the nickname “blue-collar supercar.”
This exceeded Ford’s gross sales expectations for the launch 12 months, setting the stage for seven generations of manufacturing and gross sales we nonetheless take pleasure in as we speak.
Named After a Fighter Aircraft
Regardless of the badge being a Mustang horse, that isn’t the place the title originated. In line with CJ Pony Elements, Ford historians and insiders broadly agree that the title got here from a fighter airplane in World Conflict II, the P-51 Mustang. John Najjar, credited for his work together with Lee Iacocca, helped design the unique first Mustang prototype. Najjar was additionally fascinated by the warfare airplane, which ultimately led him to recommend the mannequin title as we all know it as we speak.
It wasn’t simply the title of the airplane that satisfied the staff, however what it stood for in embodying the American spirit. Supposedly, the higher-ups didn’t go for the unique pitch, however Najjar was devoted to the trigger. In his second pitch, he likened the automobile to the American horse, the Mustang, with its free-roaming nature, and ultimately, the metaphor caught.
The Mustang Nearly Had a Completely different Identify
Earlier than “Mustang” was chosen, Ford thought of a number of names — together with Cougar, Torino, and even T-Hen II. In line with Ford archives, inside memos revealed the title “Mustang” gained out partly on account of its attraction to youthful patrons and its affiliation with freedom and independence.
Talking of Names… The Ford Probe Nearly changed the Mustang
Within the late Nineteen Eighties, Ford thought of changing the rear-wheel-drive on Mustang with a brand new front-wheel-drive drivetrain. Developed in partnership with Mazda, the brand new automotive was meant to be the next-generation Mustang, concentrating on altering client tastes and rising gas economic system requirements.
When phrase of the plan leaked, Mustang followers revolted. Lovers, golf equipment, and sellers flooded Ford with letters demanding the unique pony automotive be saved. The backlash labored: Ford stored the Mustang alive and launched the Probe as its personal mannequin in 1989. Disaster averted, burnout saved.
First Vehicle to Win a Tiffany Gold Medal Award
Throughout the celebration of the Mustang’s first birthday within the Surprise Rotunda on the New York World’s Honest, the automotive obtained the Tiffany Gold Medal Award for Excellence in American Design. It grew to become the first-ever automobile to win the distinguished award, in line with the Volo Museum. Not solely that, nevertheless it was additionally the primary award the Mustang ever obtained. Ford even had small medallions made to commemorate.
In line with MotorTrend, nevertheless, Hal Sperlich, the mannequin’s product planner, confessed that Ford had initially approached Tiffany to develop a promotional deal that will profit each Ford and Tiffany.
Sure, the Mustang As soon as Had T-Tops
That’s proper — at one level, Ford supplied the Mustang with detachable T-top roof panels, obtainable on choose Mustang II and early Fox Physique fashions. Whereas they weren’t as widespread because the T-tops supplied by GM rivals just like the Camaro or Firebird, Ford’s model gave followers a breezy different to the normal hardtop or convertible.
They’ve since turn into a cult favourite amongst Mustang fanatics — particularly one in all our staffers, who won’t ever, ever allow us to overlook that the Mustang as soon as had T-tops… and that they have been superior!
A Star on the Silver Display
The Ford Mustang is understood for a few of its film fame from movies like Bullitt, Gone in Sixty Seconds, and Quick and Livid, however these are solely a handful of the three,000 or extra films that embrace Mustangs, in line with the BBC.
Though it was already popularized, as confirmed by the gross sales numbers, particular on-screen Mustangs and film reproductions have confirmed to be fairly precious, with many examples like an Eleanor Tribute Version that offered at Barrett-Jackson for practically half 1,000,000 {dollars}.
Steve McQueen’s “Bullitt” Mustang Was Discovered After Many years Lacking
The unique 1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback utilized in Bullitt was lengthy thought misplaced — till it resurfaced in a Mexican junkyard in 2017. It offered at public sale in 2020 for $3.74 million, making it one of the crucial costly Mustangs ever.
The Mustang Appeared in James Bond
Whereas typically related to British vehicles, the Mustang made a memorable look in Goldfinger (1964), the place Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 has a showdown with a white 1964 Mustang convertible pushed by Tilly Masterson.
Greatest-Promoting Sports activities Automotive for Over a Decade
Gross sales for the Mustang hit the bottom working from 12 months one, they usually’re nonetheless robust as we speak. The Ford Mustang has been the best-selling sports activities automotive 12 months after 12 months, as Ford reported final 12 months, kicking off the seventh decade of the horse automotive. Within the press launch, Jeff Marentic, Ford’s Basic Supervisor of North America/International Truck, Household and Fanatic Autos, shared:
“We’ve offered extra Mustangs in our historical past than the inhabitants of main cities like Chicago, London or Seoul,” with over ten million of those sporty American vehicles offered throughout 85 markets worldwide.
The Mustang Mach 1
In the event you’re seeking to get into Mustangs, it’s a must to learn about among the most iconic trim ranges and variants alongside the mannequin’s historical past. In line with Jim Sensible at MotorTrend, in 1969, we have been launched to the first-ever Mach 1. This variant of the Mustang featured efficiency enhancements and distinct styling cues, corresponding to a matte black hood and hood scoop, and was solely obtainable in a fastback physique type.
The Mach 1 gave Mustang followers a brand new motive to smile behind the wheel, turning into a sizzling collector merchandise in trendy occasions. The Cobra Jet engine variant nonetheless turns heads when it goes by.
The Boss
One other particular Mustang variant is the Boss mannequin, and also you’d higher acknowledge this restricted manufacturing run once you see it in the event you declare to be an up-and-coming fan of the horse automotive. Initially created as a homologation for the Boss 302ci racing engine in IMSA, automotive designer Larry Shinoda claims that the automotive acquired its title from the mission’s secretive nature, also known as “the boss’s automotive,” in line with Barrett-Jackson.
With upgraded know-how, efficiency, suspension, and capabilities, the Mustang Boss is not any joke — on the pavement or on the monitor.
First Ever Pony Automotive
The Ford Mustang isn’t the one automotive that has ever been named after an animal, however it’s the first to have created its personal class of automobiles from it: the horse automotive phase. Whereas nonetheless an American muscle automotive, the horse automotive class options automobiles which are compact, sporty, and inexpensive sufficient to really be loved by the typical particular person.
At present, pony vehicles confer with extra than simply the Ford Mustang, as per U.S. Information, however there is no such thing as a doubt that it was the mannequin that began the pattern and the phase itself.
Bought in Over 100 International locations
In line with CJ Pony Elements (CJPP), there are some discrepancies relating to what number of nations the Mustang is accessible in. In 2018, Ford claimed it offered in 146 nations, however CJPP counted 111 nations. Nonetheless, that may very well be on account of how Ford defines a rustic, they usually’ve probably included particular orders. Nonetheless, it’s protected to say the Mustang is accessible in over 100 nations.
As we identified a number of paragraphs above, it is the world’s best-selling sports activities automotive, partly on account of its giant market. Canada and Mexico have been the primary nations the place the Mustang was offered outdoors the US.
Developed in 18 Months
Ford developed the Mustang in simply 18 months, which can sound like loads of time, nevertheless it’s beneath one and a half years to design, construct, prototype, and take a look at a automotive for manufacturing. In the event you contemplate the crimson tape, advertising and marketing conversations, engineering, and analysis, it looks like barely sufficient time to get something carried out.
For reference, in line with Hagerty, the standard time from approval to manufacturing for brand new automotive packages again then was twice as lengthy.
One Mustang Bought for Nearly $4 Million
One of the crucial costly Ford Mustangs ever was offered at a 2020 Mecum public sale. It was a 1965 Shelby GT350R Prototype, the primary Shelby R-Mannequin competitors automotive constructed, usual within the basic Wimbledon White with a black inside.
The GT350R was pushed by automotive icons like Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant, Peter Brock, and several other others, and managed over 10 first-place finishes within the B-Manufacturing class.
Quickest, Most Highly effective Manufacturing Mustang
Final 12 months, Ford unveiled the Mustang GTD, which is reported to be the quickest, strongest manufacturing Mustang in historical past… thus far. It’s powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine producing 815 hp, sufficient for a high pace of 202 mph.
That is additionally the primary time we see a dry sump oil system in a manufacturing unit Mustang, which helps it make that spectacular energy. The Drag Discount System adjusts the rear wing, serving to it attain high pace.
The 300 Millionth Ford Automotive Produced Was a Mustang
To rejoice 300 million vehicles produced — yeah, that may be a lot — automotive 300,000,000 to roll off the Ford meeting line was a particular version Mustang GT convertible completed in a particular Crimson Purple paint. It offered for $44,000 at an RM Sotheby’s public sale in 2014.
The itemizing on the public sale pages reads a quote from Invoice Ford about its manufacturing: “When the corporate constructed its one millionth automotive, my great-grandfather Henry Ford mentioned, ‘1,000,000 of something is a good many.”
10 Million Mustangs and Counting
Whereas the quantity clearly will increase every single day as a result of they’re nonetheless in manufacturing, Ford experiences that over 10 million Mustangs have been offered throughout seven generations of the automotive thus far. Every technology has include its personal trim ranges, particular editions, and anniversary fashions to rejoice.
Wanting over the remainder of this listing, it shouldn’t be stunning that the Mustang has been extremely well-liked for the reason that begin, with gross sales in over 100 nations and steady manufacturing for over 60 years.
Steady Manufacturing for 60 Years
Talking of steady manufacturing, the Ford Mustang, not like a few of its rivals, has by no means stopped or paused manufacturing —not even for a single mannequin 12 months. In distinction, the Corvette wasn’t offered for the 1983 mannequin 12 months, and the Camaro has disappeared a few occasions now.
This mark of tolerating reputation and gross sales has triumphed over some main financial crises, life-style modifications, and automotive hurdles since its debut in 1964, and it hasn’t fumbled but.
Purple is the Most Common Mustang Shade
Chances are you’ll take into consideration this each time you see a Mustang any further, however crimson is definitely the preferred coloration alternative. In a world the place coloration appears to be draining from the on a regular basis automotive lot, with many patrons in search of extra impartial tones, you may be shocked to be taught that crimson stays very fashionable.
Actually, in line with MotorTrend, 21% of Mustangs ever offered have been crimson. In case you are particular mannequin years, nevertheless, particularly early choices or more moderen ones, you will notice some spiking numbers for the colour blue, too.
One among Ford’s Longest-Operating Nameplates
As we talked about above, the Mustang has been in steady manufacturing for 60 years, which makes it one of many longest-running nameplates in Ford’s arsenal, in line with MotorTrend.
Technically, the Ford F-Collection vehicles, beginning with the F-1, F-2, and F-3 sequence again in 1948, have a barely longer manufacturing run and make up what we see on the street as we speak as F-150s and F-250s, however the Mustang remains to be up there in years, being launched solely a handful of years later.
Ford’s Fifth Greatest-Promoting Automotive of All Time
Ford is likely one of the largest American automotive firms, and over time, it has produced tens of millions of vehicles—over 300 million, to be exact. Of all of the fashions it has constructed, the Mustang has been the corporate’s fifth best-selling automotive of all time, in line with SlashGear.
That will seem to be a reasonably low rating for a sports activities automotive that has been in manufacturing for 60 years, however contemplating it isn’t as sensible for the on a regular basis driver as maybe a sedan, SUV, or pickup truck, that’s nonetheless fairly spectacular.
You Can Nonetheless Order a Mustang With a Guide Transmission
Whereas many efficiency vehicles are ditching the stick, Ford presents a handbook gearbox within the Mustang — even in high-performance trims just like the GT and Darkish Horse. That’s an enormous win for purists in an more and more computerized world.
The Ford Mustang is an American Favourite
With over 60 years of manufacturing and tens of millions of fashions made, the Ford Mustang has confirmed to be a real American favourite. With such a wealthy legacy, it’s no shock that the automotive has many attention-grabbing milestones and enjoyable info that paved the way in which to what it’s as we speak.
Whether or not you’re a brand new fanatic or a lifelong fan, these Mustang enjoyable info are must-knows to point out off at any automotive present or occasion.
