| If there is a car that can be said to be a classic | | | | New Models |
| piece of Americana, the Ford Mustang is it. For | | | | The '64 to '66 Mustang models were built with a |
| decades the Mustang has enjoyed unparalleled | | | | sports car look, including long hoods and shorter |
| popularity. They say necessity is the mother of | | | | rear units. Interiors were also designed along |
| invention, well the Mustang was created with a | | | | sports lines, with a small backseat and two seats |
| great need to boost poor sales and compete with | | | | in the front. |
| rival car companies and Ford put together the | | | | 1967 and 1968 Mustangs had a larger grill than the |
| right mix of design and marketing to come out on | | | | original models, and also a widened hood that was |
| top. | | | | more aggressive looking and a better reflection of |
| The Concept | | | | the engine units. |
| Ford wasn't doing well in the year 1964. With the | | | | 1969 and 1970 Mustangs were longer than the |
| development of the Corvair Monza, Chevrolet had | | | | previous models, and were also heavier. In |
| taken a significant lead in sales. With the greatest | | | | addition, the headlights of the Mustang were now |
| success of the Ford Falcon squarely in the past, | | | | housed inside the grill instead of protruding. |
| the Ford Motor Company knew they needed | | | | '71 to '73 saw the heaviest Mustangs to date put |
| something new. Ford pinpointed the style and | | | | on the market. |
| character of the new Chevy cars as their reason | | | | The second generation of Mustangs saw a return |
| for their success and set out to answer back | | | | to the appearance of the original model, but with |
| with a little of their own. | | | | important innovations in the guts. Rack-and-pinion |
| Lee Iacocca stepped up to the plate and | | | | steering was an important part of the system |
| suggested the new vehicle be designed by the | | | | that was manufactured from 1974-1978. |
| people. While his idea was initially rejected, he | | | | The third generation of Mustang was also the |
| eventually talked management into going along | | | | longest incarnation of the car in terms of |
| and soon design was under way. In order to | | | | production. Although they didn't have the "look" of |
| reduce costs on the development, the Mustang | | | | previous Mustang Generations, being a bit smaller |
| used many parts that were originally included on | | | | and with softer lines, this Mustang had a roomier |
| other car models, notably the drivetrain that was | | | | interior that could now seat four people in relative |
| found in both the Fairlane and the Falcon. It came | | | | comfort. This generation also was given a 302 |
| in two-seater models, coup or convertible. | | | | with a superior camshaft along with an updated |
| The Campaign | | | | exhaust system and new valves. From a |
| To launch their new car, Ford put together an | | | | performance standpoint, it was actually the best |
| extraordinary advertising campaign. Ford debuted | | | | Mustang to-date and was one of the fastest cars |
| the Mustang at the World's Fair in New York on | | | | in the country. |
| April 17, 1964. Within two days the | | | | But the third generation Mustang didn't catch the |
| advertisements were all over U.S. television. The | | | | consumers eye the way previous Mustangs had, |
| campaign was one of the most successful | | | | so Ford redesigned it with the goal of restoring |
| launches in American history, with over a million | | | | the heady sales-figures of earlier generations. With |
| Mustangs sold in its first year and a half on the | | | | a new sporty look, they offered the Mustang to |
| market (during which time it was upgraded to a | | | | the public once again and they were not |
| four-seater). | | | | disappointed. The new Mustangs were almost a |
| One of the largest perks of buying a Mustang | | | | perfect hybrid of the earlier models in look, and |
| was that every car was built-to-order and each | | | | included all the innovations in the guts that had |
| soon-to-be-owner could choose from a long list of | | | | made the Mustang a reliable performance car. |
| options to include on their new car. Some of the | | | | With the 2005 redesign, the fifth-gen Mustang has |
| options included power steering, power train | | | | gone retro. Like sleeker versions of their 1960's |
| combinations, air conditioning, and a high | | | | era predecessors, these Mustang continue to |
| performance engine. It was the first car to include | | | | shine for a new generation of Americans. |
| so many different options to the buyer, and the | | | | Alex consults for a hobby shop offering diecast |
| strategy was profitable for both manufacturers | | | | model cars as well as highly detailed Mustang pedal |
| and dealers. | | | | cars for kids. |