Mustang History Hilights

• 1962 project code named T-5
• Robert S. McNamara credited with concept
• Lee Iacocca was Ford marketing director
• Names considered:
  • Cheetah, Puna, Thunderbird II, Cougar, Colt
  • Special Falcon, Torino, and Mustang
• 100,000 new Mustangs sold in the first 90 days!
• 160,000 sold by the end of 1964
  
  
• 1964 1/2 through 1966
  • First Mustang unveiled on 17 April of 1964
  • Base price: $2,360.00
  • Cars made before September of 1964 are considered 1964 1/2
  • 1964 1/2 models included only the convertible and coupe
  • Fastback was introduced in the 1965 model year
  • Engine options were:
    • 260 2bbl V-8 (early)
    • 120 Horsepower 200 I-6 (4 lug wheels)
    • 200 Horsepower 289 2bbl V-8 (C-Code)
    • 225 Horsepower 289 4bbl V-8 (A-Code)
    • 271 Horsepower 289 V-8 (K-Code Hipo 289)
  • California starts producing thermactor exhaust system (smog)
  • Carroll Shelby introduced his GT-350's in fastback model
  • Nov. 1965, Hertz contracts for 1,000 Shelby GT-350H models
  • GT package debuts in mid April of 1965
  • By the end of the first year of sales, 417,000 were sold!
  • Plants in Dearborn MI, San Jose CA, and Metuchen NJ are used.
  
  
• 1967 through 1968 (slightly larger cars)
  • Sprint 200 sold many (decked-out 200cid I-6)
  • Straight six available with 200 and 250 cid
  • Big block 390 V-8s are now available and big sellers
  • Good-bye to the trusty 289 and begin the 302
  • 302 V-8 comes with 230 HP or 250 HP
  • 390 V-8 pumps out 270 HP or 325 HP
  • Shelby GT-350 was joined by the GT-500 (big block) in this era
  • Shelby offered 3 engines and 7 different colors, and convertible
  • Shelby's "King of the Road" GT-500KR debuts
  • Intro of the 428 Cobra Jet with 360 HP
  • Optional dealer-added 427
  • "Specials" arrive: California, High Country, Blue Bonnet, Twister
  • Steve McQueen drives a 1968 fastback in the movie "Bullitt"
  
  
• 1969 through 1970 (even larger this time)
  • New design, 4 inches longer
  • Four new models: Mach I, Grande, Boss 302, Boss 429
  • Body styles: Sportsroof, Coupe, Grande, Convertible, Grabber
  • Engines:
    • 6 cyl. still available in 200 and 250 cid
    • 302 V-8 starts with 210 HP
    • Boss 302 is introduced with 290 HP 302
    • 351 Windsor debut 250-290 HP (grown up 302)
    • 390 pumps out 320 HP with 4v carb
    • 428 CJ comes with 335 HP
    • Boss 429 is powered with 375 HP 429 cid
  • Shelby's last year is 1970
  • 1970 Boss 302 and 429 phased out
  • Last of the "smaller" Mustangs
  
  
• 1971 through 1973 (the largest Mustangs)
  • Boss 429 and Boss 302 are replaced by Boss 351
  • Engines:
    • 250 cid is only I-6 (145 HP)
    • 302 cid 210 HP
    • 351 Cleveland comes with 240-285 HP
    • Boss 351 produces 330 HP
    • 429 cid 370-375 HP
  • 1972 - no more Boss cars or engines
  • 1972 Mach I powered with 351C 275 HP
  • The age of the classic Mustang has drawn to an end
  • Some say it ended in 1970, but how about the 1971 Boss 351?
  
  
• 1974 through 1978 (fuel economy years - low power)
  • Enter the dark ages of the Mustang, the muscle car is out
  • Mustang is now known as Mustang II
  • Little more than a pumped up Pinto
  • Mustang Enthusiasts start hiding
  • 4 banger starts with 87 HP!
  • Upgrade to V-6 and get 97 HP!
  • Believe it or not, there was a V-6 Mach I
  • 1975 return of the V-8 302 but with only 133 HP
  • "T" tops and Ghias
  • 1978 "King Cobra" with 302 V-8
  
  
• 1979 through 1993 (Fox and the Hounds)
  • Ford tries to bring back the Mustang
  • 1979 model still ugly
  • Performance slowly on a comeback
  • 1984 shows some high performace with SVO Team
  • Ford goes after the "Beamer" crowd with high-tech
  • 302 still only gives out 175 HP but performs
  • Mustang SVO does 1/4 mile in 15.5 and 137 mph ... not bad
  • Saleen cars squeak out 170 mph
  • 1985: Enter the "5.0 Mustangs"
  • 5.0 HO EFI V-8 produced 175-205 HP
  • Mustangs are fun to drive again
  • SVO dropped in 1987 from poor sales
  • HP incresed 25 with new exhaust to 225 HP
  • 1993: Saleen celebrates last of the "Fox" Mustangs
  
  
• 1994 through 1996
  • New look Mustangs began work in 1989
  • 30-year anniversary
  • SVT Mustang Cobra R has 330 HP 351W
  • V-6 3.8L pumps out 145 HP
  • 5.0 V-8 still around
  • 1994 Indy Pace Car has 235 HP 5.0, faster look
  • 1996 Intro of the new 4.6L SOHC
  • Many mods available (factory and other)
  • Turbos and blown motors
  • Cars are fun to drive, but smaller inside than my '66
  
  
• Classic Mustang vs New Mustang
  • Will it ever end?