Ford Mustang

The Mustang is one of the most recognizable vehicles ever made in America. The car was first introduced in 1964, and it was relatively cheap to own. Mustangs became popular because the platform allowed for almost limitless customization, and they remain popular today. Here, you will learn about the long history of this iconic car.

The first Mustang was designed to appeal to the 15-30 age group. It debuted in the middle of the model year, leading some to consider the first cars 1964 1/2s while most deem them to be 1965s. In that year, the car was offered as either a fastback or a convertible. In 1967, Ford started installing their big blocks in Mustangs, along with completely redesigning the body. 1968 models were virtually identical, save for a few minor changes. In 1969, the body was redesigned once more, and fastbacks were from then on called "Sportsroof" models. The car's dimensions kept on growing until the end of the 1973 model year.

Due to increasing fuel costs and the EPA's stricter emissions standards, the 1974 Mustang put less emphasis on performance. There were no more big blocks; instead, the Mustang got a more moderate small block that focused more on fuel efficiency than on performance. By the 1978 model year, there was no Mustang engine available that could even come close to the performance of the 1964 model. The car's dimensions were reduced as well; cars from this period were called Mustang IIs.

1979 saw the demise of the Mustang II moniker. The car was once again redesigned, with a longer and wider wheelbase. That modification improved handling, but the Mustang was still grossly underpowered. In 1982, Ford announced that they would offer a 5-liter, 302 cubic inch engine that produced 157 horsepower. Subsequent years, through the early 1990s, brought more aggressive styling and increases in performance.

The Mustang underwent major styling changes in 1994, and that year Ford retired the 5.0 in favor of a more powerful 4.6. The styling of the car took its cues from the original Mustang line, and performance was once again an advertising focus. The car was redesigned yet again in 2005, with more of a retro flair than previous Mustang iterations. The 4.6 liter engine stayed on, but Ford began contracting with other companies to build high-performance cars.