Ford Mustang, An Enduring Tradition

 by Andy Zain

1966 Ford Mustang

The year was 1964. The place was the World's fair in New York City. Across the way, people were loading into small boats and floating through an attraction in the Pepsi Pavilion which was designed by Walt Disney. However, our attention on this April day was on a new car being introduced by Ford Motor Company. Its name was the Ford Mustang. Now forty-five years latter, both attractions are alive and doing well. After the fair, Disney moved his attraction to his ten year old Disneyland. Ford got busy producing more Mustangs.

Initial sales of the Mustang were only surpassed by Henry Ford's Model "A." The original Mustang had a MSRP that was $2368. The vehicle borrowed framework as well as other parts from Ford's Falcon as well as their Fairlane models. Some of the first Mustangs had the Falcon's 100 HP engines. The Falcon's emblem even showed up in the horn ring in the first models of the Mustang. Although Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) identify those first Mustangs as 1965 models, collectors call them a 1964 1/2 model. There were several very significant differences in the actual 1965 models. A 1964 1/2 Mustang in good condition today could bring over thirty thousand dollars.

Through the years, the body style of the mustang has changes, but the Mustang has remained easily identifiable. The front grill and side door swoops have remained throughout the years.


The success of the Mustang lead other manufacturers to quickly introduce their own "pony cars." These vehicles had large hoods and small trunk decks.

After the failure of the Edsil, Ford had researched and found that many people, especially women felt that full size cars had become too large. Remember this would have been before the widespread use of power steering and power brakes. In response to that research Ford introduced the Falcon. This compact car had been somewhat successful, but the Mustang overwhelmingly became more popular. Its sales ultimately cut into the market of the Falcon and lead to its demise in 1970.

As time progressed, the size of the Mustang began to grow larger. Fans of the original Mustang began to complain about the size of the vehicle, and in response, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. Although smaller in size than the original Mustang, additional requirements for smog devices made the car heavier than even the original Mustang. Ford had not only downsized the size of the vehicle, but had also downsized the engine. Thus, the first Mustang II's were very underpowered.

Fans of the original Mustang complained and in 1984, Ford listened and produced the Mustang II. The Mustang II was smaller than the Mustang introduced at the World's Fair, but due to new federal regulations on air pollution actually weighed more than the original. Ford had included a smaller engine resulting in an underpowered car.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

The new Mustang, like it predecessors, is expected to be a great seller for Ford.

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Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article165947.html

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