The story of the Mustang begins in the early 1960s when Ford recognized a growing market for a new type of car. Young buyers, especially the post-war baby boomer generation, were seeking vehicles that were sporty, affordable, and fun to drive. Ford’s then-vice president and general manager, Lee Iacocca, saw this opportunity and spearheaded the development of what would become the Mustang.
On April 17, 1964, Ford unveiled the Mustang at the New York World’s Fair. Priced at $2,368, the Mustang was an instant success, selling over 22,000 units on its first day of release. Its sleek, long-hood/short-deck design, combined with a wide range of customization options, made it a hit with young buyers. Ford initially offered the Mustang as both a hardtop coupe and a convertible, with a fastback version debuting later that year.
The Mustang's first generation (1964½–1973) featured various engine options, from a modest inline-six to the powerful 289 cubic-inch V8, allowing customers to choose the level of performance that suited them. In 1965, the high-performance GT350 was introduced, a version modified by Carroll Shelby to compete in racing circuits, solidifying the Mustang’s reputation as a performance machine.
The late 1960s and early 1970s were the golden age of American muscle cars, and the Mustang was at the forefront. With the introduction of the Mustang Mach 1 in 1969 and the Boss 302 and Boss 429, Ford entered the muscle car wars in earnest, challenging rivals like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Plymouth Barracuda.
The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 featured a variety of engine options, including a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 that delivered immense power. The Boss 302, built for Trans-Am racing, was lighter and more agile, while the Boss 429 was designed to compete in NASCAR, featuring a massive 7.0-liter engine.
However, by the early 1970s, tightening emissions regulations, rising insurance costs, and the oil crisis of 1973 marked the decline of the muscle car era. Ford responded by downsizing the Mustang with the introduction of the Mustang IIin 1974, designed to be smaller, more fuel-efficient, and better suited for the economic realities of the time.
The Mustang II (1974–1978) is often regarded as a controversial chapter in Mustang history. Based on the subcompact Ford Pinto platform, the Mustang II was significantly smaller and less powerful than its predecessors. It initially came with either a 2.3-liter inline-four or a 2.8-liter V6, reflecting the changing automotive landscape. The car was more focused on fuel efficiency and comfort rather than high performance.
Despite mixed reviews, the Mustang II was a commercial success, selling over a million units during its production run. It also set the stage for the Mustang’s return to performance in the years to come, as it kept the brand alive during a challenging period for American automakers.
The third-generation Mustang (1979–1993), often referred to as the Fox-body Mustang due to its use of the Ford Fox platform, saw the return of performance-oriented Mustangs. The 5.0-liter V8 became a defining feature of the era, delivering the horsepower that enthusiasts had been missing since the early 1970s.
The Mustang GT, revived in 1982, offered a 157-horsepower 5.0 V8, and over the next decade, Ford continued to improve its power and handling. By the mid-1980s, the Mustang had regained its status as a performance car, and the 5.0-liter V8 Mustang became a favorite among tuners and drag racers.
In 1993, Ford introduced the Mustang SVT Cobra, developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT). The SVT Cobra was a high-performance version of the Mustang, featuring a 235-horsepower V8 and upgraded suspension and brakes. It marked the beginning of a new era of specialized, performance-focused Mustangs.
The fourth-generation Mustang (1994–2004) introduced a more modern design, departing from the angular lines of the Fox-body. By 2005, Ford launched the fifth-generation Mustang, which adopted a retro-futuristic design inspired by the original 1960s models. This "retro" styling, combined with modern engineering, was a hit with both new buyers and longtime Mustang fans, leading to the car’s resurgence in popularity.
This generation also saw the reintroduction of legendary performance models like the Shelby GT500 in 2007, boasting a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that produced 500 horsepower, a nod to the Mustang’s muscle car heritage.
In 2015, Ford introduced the sixth-generation Mustang, a globally designed car intended for both American and international markets. The sixth-gen Mustang brought independent rear suspension for the first time across all models, greatly improving handling. Ford also offered a range of engines, from the EcoBoost 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to the powerful 5.0-liter V8 in the GT model.
In recent years, Ford has continued to expand the Mustang lineup, with the introduction of the Mustang Mach 1, Shelby GT350, and the 760-horsepower Shelby GT500, which is the most powerful street-legal Ford in history. In a surprising twist, Ford also introduced the Mustang Mach-E in 2020, an all-electric SUV that wears the Mustang badge, signaling the brand’s move toward the future of electric vehicles while maintaining its performance heritage.
Over its six-decade history, the Ford Mustang has evolved from a sporty, affordable car aimed at young buyers to a symbol of American automotive excellence and performance. Through changing market demands, economic crises, and shifting automotive trends, the Mustang has remained true to its core identity as a car that delivers both style and substance. From the streets of the 1960s to the race tracks of today, the Mustang continues to inspire passion and loyalty, securing its place as one of the most iconic cars in history. Vision Hot Rod Concepts makes hot rod mirrors that will suit your 1964-1978 Mustang.