How Has The Mustang Evolved?

Automotive, Featured, Special Sections

Joseph Wolkin

1964: Ford introduces the Mustang to the world at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York, on April 17, 1964. It is named after the legendary P-51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II. The price at launch: $2,368

1965 Ford Mustang fastback in front the Ford Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.

1968: The 302-cid V-8 replaces the “289” midyear, and a medium-riser version of Ford’s premiere race engine, the 427-cid V-8 (rated at 390 horsepower), is offered as a $622 option.

1971: The biggest Mustangs ever – nearly a foot longer and some 600 pounds heavier than the originals – are introduced. The Boss 351, with its “Cleveland” block and Cobra Jet heads, debuts. The Mach 1 comes with a variety of powertrains, topped by the 429 Super Cobra Jet (SCJ)

1972: Styling is unchanged from 1971, and the only new model offering is the Sprint—a special red, white and blue exterior paint-and-tape package with coordinated interior.

1973: The 1973 model year is the last for the original Falcon-platform Mustang, and it’s also the last time a convertible version is offered for almost a full decade.

1975: V-8 power returns to Mustang in the form of the 302 cubic-inch small-block.

1978: The new King Cobra model is the first Mustang to wear a “5.0” badge—the metric equivalent of 302 cubic inches, in the form of a decal affixed to its rearward facing hood scoop.

1989: For Mustang’s 25th anniversary, all cars produced between April 17, 1989, and April 17, 1990, sport the familiar running horse on the dashboard with “25 Years” inscribed underneath.

1999: A redesign gives Mustang sharply creased lines and pronounced wheel arch flares, plus a new hood, grille, fascias and lamps.

2001: Inspired by the 1968 Mustang 390 GT driven by Steve McQueen in the movie classic Bullitt, the Mustang Bullitt GT makes its debut.

The Ford Mustang, which debuted as a concept in 1962 and on the road in 1964, is America’s favorite pony. This machine brought back its classic look recently. But before that, it went through a European phase in the 1970s through the 1980s. It didn’t look anything like a traditional Mustang.

But that’s OK because the powers at be within Ford knew it was time to bring back their beloved Mustang. By the late 1990s, the Mustang was just as sleek as the original machines.

While the Mustang’s grille and signature taillights, what’s not to love? As the Mustang enters the new era of electric vehicles, Ford will continue to make sure the Mustang doesn’t lose its special touch. And the traditional Mustang isn’t going anywhere as Ford will offer both options.

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Joseph Wolkin

Joseph Wolkin is the former editor of the Levittown Tribune, Syosset-Jericho Tribune and Anton Media Group's automotive special section and county news section. A graduate of Stony Brook University, Joseph has been published in dozens of publications. He is the author of Grandma: The Story Of A Boy And His Grandma.

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