TGR Staff - 01/26/2023
The Ford Mustang is a sports car that was first introduced by Ford in April 1964. It was based on the Ford Falcon compact car platform but featured a longer hood, shorter deck, and more powerful engine options. The Mustang was an instant success and sold over 22,000 units on its first day of release. The first Mustang, known as the "1964½" by enthusiasts, was offered as a coupe or convertible and had a base price of around $2,300. It was powered by a variety of engines, including a 170 cubic-inch six-cylinder and a 260 cubic-inch V8. The Mustang quickly became popular among young buyers and was marketed as a "personal car," appealing to those who wanted a car that was stylish and affordable. Here is everything you need to know about the iconic Ford Mustang.
The First Generation:
In 1971, the Mustang underwent its first major departure from the original formula of the Mustang, with a larger, heavier body and new styling. The 1971 model was also the last year for the first generation Mustang, as the second generation was introduced for the 1974 model year, the Mustang II.
Second Generation:
The Mustang II was not as popular as the original Mustang, and sales were relatively low. Some enthusiasts criticized the car for its lack of power and performance, while others appreciated its smaller size and more efficient engines. Despite this, Mustang II was considered a commercial success for Ford, it helped the company to boost its sales and increase its market share during the oil crisis in the 70s.
The Mustang II is considered a significant departure from the original Mustang and a significant transition from a muscle car to a compact car. It was a product of its time, designed to meet the demands of the market for more fuel-efficient and smaller cars.
Third Generation:
The Fox Body Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "GT" performance model, a four-cylinder turbocharged "SVO" model, and the "LX" luxury model. Engine options included a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, 2.3 Turbo, a 2.8 and 3.8-liter V6, and a 5.0-liter V8, which was introduced in 1982. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a four-speed manual, a five-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic. Much like Shelby did in the 1960s, racing driver and car builder Steve Saleen took the Fox Body Mustang and turned it into a world championship-winning racing car. In 1993, the last year for the Fox Body, Ford brought the Cobra back as a limited edition high-performance model which is highly coveted by collectors today.
Fourth Generation:
The SN95 Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Cobra" high-performance model. Engine options included a 3.8-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8, and a 5.4-liter V8 for the cobra models. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a five-speed manual, a four-speed, and a five-speed automatic. Saleen contained to offer street and racing packages for the SN95, and Roush also joined the tuning scene offering special edition packages sold through dealerships. Special editions like the Mach 1, Bullitt, and Boss were introduced again on the SN95 calling back to the styling cues of the original versions from the 1960s.
Fifth Generation:
The S-197 Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "V6" model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Shelby GT500" high-performance model. Engine options included a 4.0-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8, and a 5.4-liter V8 for the Shelby GT500 models. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, and a five-speed automatic.
Six Generation:
The S550 Mustang is available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "Ecoboost" model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Shelby GT350/GT500" high-performance models. Engine options include a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 5.0-liter V8 for the GT models, and a 5.2-liter V8 for the Shelby GT350. The car is also available with a variety of transmission options, including a six-speed manual, a ten-speed automatic, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While some previous Shelby models were still produced and finished at Shelby American in Las Vegas, with the S550 all Shelby Mustangs were built by Ford with Shelby American's input.
The S550 Mustang is popular among enthusiasts for its improved handling and performance, as well as its more modern and athletic design. The GT models, in particular, are well received and considered a good value for the money. The Shelby GT350/GT500 models, with their powerful V8 engines and high-performance suspension and braking systems, include the new GT500 which is the fastest production Mustang ever built.
Mustang Mach-E:
Ford Mustang is considered one of the most iconic American muscle cars and has a huge following. The Mustang has been featured in many movies, TV shows, and music videos, and has been continuously in production since 1964 making it one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history.