Ford Mustang
The long-bonnet, short-deck Ford that helped define the American pony car.
Overview
Ford unveiled the Mustang at the New York World’s Fair on 17 April 1964 and placed it on sale the same day as a 1965 model. Its long bonnet, short rear deck and four-seat layout wrapped sporty proportions around mechanical foundations related to the compact Ford Falcon.
The launch range included hardtop and convertible bodies, followed by a fastback during the first model year. A 170-cubic-inch inline-six and three-speed manual transmission were standard at introduction, while buyers could specify larger six-cylinder and V8 engines, automatic transmission and a long list of appearance and comfort options.
The combination of an accessible base price and extensive personalisation made the Mustang a rapid commercial success. Ford recorded 22,000 orders on its first day and approximately 417,000 sales during its first 12 months.
Generations
First generation (1965–1973)
The original Mustang established the model’s characteristic proportions and offered hardtop, convertible and fastback body styles. Its range expanded from economical six-cylinder cars to increasingly powerful V8 variants, including performance models developed with Carroll Shelby.
Later generation records will be added as the catalogue develops.