Ford Mustang History Highlights:
1962
- Project code named T-5
- Robert S. McNamara credited with concept
- Lee Iacocca was named as Ford marketing director
- Names considered:
Cheetah, Puma, 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 - 1966
- First Mustang unveiled on 17 April of 1964
- Base price: $2,360.00
- Cars made before September of 1964 were 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:
o 260 2bbl V8 (early)
o 120 Horsepower 200 Inline 6
o 200 Horsepower 289 2bbl V8 (C-Code)
o 225 Horsepower 289 4bbl V8 (A-Code)
o 271 Horsepower 289 V8 (K-Code Hipo 289)
- California starts producing thermactor exhaust system (smog)
- Carroll Shelby introduced his GT-350's in fastback model
- November 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 - 1968
- Straight sixcylinder available with 200 and 250 cid
- Big block 390 V8's were available and big sellers
- Good-bye to the trusty 289 and hello to the 302
- 302 V8 comes with 230HP or 250HP
- 390 V8 pumps out 270HP or 325HP
- 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 360HP
- Optional dealer-added 427
- "Specials" arrive: California, High Country, Blue Bonnet, Twister
- Steve McQueen drives a 1968 fastback in the movie "Bullitt"
1969 - 1970
- New design, 4 inches longer
- Four new models: Mach I, Grande, Boss 302, Boss 429
- Body styles: Sportsroof, Coupe, Grande, Convertible, Grabber
- Engines Options were:
o 6 cyl. still available in 200 and 250 cid
o 302 V-8 starts with 210HP
o Boss 302 is introduced with 290HP 302
o 351 Windsor debut 250-290HP (grown up 302)
o 390 pumps out 320HP with 4V carb
o 428 CJ comes with 335HP
o Boss 429 is powered with 375HP 429 cid
- Carol Shelby's last year is 1970
- 1970 Boss 302 and 429 phased out
1971 - 1973
- Boss 429 and Boss 302 are replaced by Boss 351
- Engines Options were:
o 250 cid is only Inline 6 (145HP)
o 302 cid 210HP
o 351 Cleveland produces 240-285HP
o Boss 351 produces 330HP
o 429 cid produces 370-375HP
- 1972 - No more Boss cars or engines
- 1972 Mach I powered with 351C 275HP
- The age of the classic Mustang as we know it has drawn to an end
1974 - 1978
- Enter the dark ages of the Mustang, the muscle car is out
- Mustang is now known as Mustang II
- Mustang Enthusiasts start hiding
- 4 cylinder starts with 87HP
- Upgrade to V6 and 97HP
- Believe it or not, there was a V6 Mach I
- 1975 return of the V8 302 but with only 133HP
- "T" tops and Ghias introduced
- 1978 "King Cobra" with 302 V8
1979 - 1993
- 1979 model still ugly
- Performance slowly on the comeback
- 1984 shows some high performance with SVO Team
- 302 still only gives out 175HP but performs well
- Mustang SVO does 1/4 mile in 15.5 seconds
- Mustang SVO does 137mph top speed
- Saleen cars squeak out 170 mph
- 1985 - Enter the "5.0 Mustangs"
- 5.0 HO EFI V8 produced 175-205HP
- Mustangs are fun to drive again
- SVO dropped in 1987 from poor sales
- HP increased 25 with new exhaust to 225HP
- 1993: Saleen celebrates last of the "Fox" Mustangs
1994 - 1996
- New look Mustangs began work in 1989
- 30-year anniversary
- SVT Mustang Cobra R has 330HP 351W
- V6 3.8L pumps out 145HP
- 5.0 V8 still around
- 1994 Indy Pace Car has 235HP 5.0, faster look
- 1996 Intro of the new 4.6L SOHC
- Turbos and blown motors are introduced
- Cars are almost becoming fun to drive again
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