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Ford Mustang (first generation)

The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobiles known as pony cars. The Mustang's styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition.

Main article: Ford Mustang

Mustang (first generation)

Ford

Ford T5[1]

March 1964 – June 1973

1965–1973

Gale Halderman[4]

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Ford Mustang II

It was introduced on April 17, 1964, as a hardtop and convertible, with the fastback version following in August 1964. Upon introduction, the Mustang, sharing its platform with the Falcon, was slotted into the compact car segment.


The first-generation Mustangs grew in overall dimensions and engine power with each revision. The 1971 model featured a drastic redesign. After an initial surge, sales steadily declined, and Ford began working on a new generation Mustang. With the onset of the 1973 oil crisis, Ford was prepared, having already designed the smaller Mustang II for the 1974 model year. This new car shared no components with preceding models.

Conception and styling[edit]

As Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey was the head engineer for the Mustang project — supervising the development of the Mustang in a record 18 months from September 1962 to April 1964.[5][6] — while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager.


Drawing on inspiration from the mid-engined Ford Mustang I concept vehicle, Lee Iacocca ordered the development of a new "small car"[7] to vice-president of design at Ford, Eugene Bordinat.


Bordinat tasked Ford's three design studios (Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and Advanced Design) to create proposals for the new vehicle.[8]


The design teams had been given five goals[9] for the design of the Mustang: It would seat four, have bucket seats and a floor-mounted shifter, weigh no more than 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg), be no more than 180 inches (5 m) in length, sell for less than US$2,500 (equivalent to $24,560 in 2023)[10], and have multiple power, comfort, and luxury options.

Mustang 1964½–1966

  • April 1964 – July 1964 (1964½ series)
  • August 1964 – July 1965 (1965 series)
  • August 1965 – July 1966 (1966 series)

  • Joe Oros
  • David Ash
  • Gale Haldeman
  • Charlie Phaneuf (fastback)
  • Philip T. Clark (Mustang I concept)
  • John Najjar (Mustang I concept)

1965–1966 Shelby Mustang G.T.350

108 in (2,743 mm)

181.6 in (4,613 mm)

68.2 in (1,732 mm)

51.2 in (1,300 mm)[19]

2,445 lb (1,109 kg) (base)[20]

August 1966 – August 1968[46]

  • Ross Humphries (1965)
  • Don Kopka[47]

108 in (2,743 mm)

183.6 in (4,663 mm)

70.9 in (1,801 mm)

51.6 in (1,311 mm)

2,758 lb (1,251 kg) (base)[49]

August 1968 – September 1970

Gale Halderman (1966)[60]

108 in (2,743 mm)

187.5 in (4,762 mm)

71.7 in (1,821 mm)

50.5 in (1,283 mm)

3,122 lb (1,416 kg) (base)[62]

1970–1973

109 in (2,769 mm)

189.5 in (4,813 mm)

74.1 in (1,882 mm)

50.1 in (1,273 mm)

3,560 lb (1,615 kg)[74]

Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang Mach 1

Shelby Mustang