MUSTANG HISTORY
1964 1/2
The Mustang debuts at the World's Fair in Chicago
on April 14, 1964. The car is available with a wide choice of
options in coupe and convertible only, and was
advertised for $2,368 f.o.b. Detroit for the coupe. Reaction to the
Mustang's arrival was tremendous and dealers
could not get enough. April 17, 1964 saw 22,000 cars sold at or
above retail; the first day.
Ford had origionally projected first year sales
of the Mustang to be around 100,000, later to bumping this number
to 240,000. It took only four months to reach
the 100,000 car mark and the 1965 production total was actually
680,992, an all-time record for first year sales.
Mustang reached the one million mark by March 1966. This sales
record is more impressive considering that until
September 1964, there were only two body styles, the coupe and
the convertable. The fastback was then added
to the mix.
1965
The GT option debuts in April. This package includes
fog lights, special GT badging, dual exhaust, and other
features. Engine options include the 289-4V A-code
or K-code (Hi-Po) V-8. The Fastback is now available.
1966
Little changes in the overall Mustang design. The
car continues to sell well. Most of the changes for 1966 were in
the form of cosmetic refinements. A new grille
which featured chrome edged, horizontal inserts, replaced the
honeycomb grille of '65. The chrome bars that
extended horizontally and vertically from the running horse were
deleted on the '66 grille. A new three fingered
rear quarter panel ornament was used. The lower rocker panel
moulding became standard equipment, as did backup
lights, and a chrome hood lip moulding. The fuel filler cap no
longer included the plastic insert found on the
earlier models. On the inside the Mustang treated to standard five
gauge instrumentation, and "woven" vinyl seat
inserts. The choices of available interior colors and styles increased
to
thirty four varieties, giving the buyer even
more ways to personalize "their" Mustang.
1967
The first major change in Mustang styling occurs.
Threats from the GM and Chrysler camps intiate a widening of the
body to accomodate the 390 big-block powerplant.
The rear taillight panel is restyled, as well as the side flairs.
1968
The 289 small block is gone from the Mustang line-up,
replaced by the 302. In April, Ford introduces the 428
engine and the GT model is chosen as the platform
for the engine. Wider tread for better traction and tilt-away
steering wheel. Other changes included the deletion
of the horizontal grille bars, the deletion of the F-O-R-D letters
at the front of the hood, asimplification of
the quarter panel ornament, and many safety features. Due to increasing
governmental regulations, the 1968 Mustang now
included front and rear side marker lights, folding, flush mounted
interior door pulls, and an energy absorbing
steering column.
1969
The Sportroof body style makes its debut. Mach Is,
Boss 302s, and the semi-hemispherical headed Boss 429s
make their debut. The influx of these cars spells
the demise of the GT option for several years. New features for
1969 included quad headlights, front parking
lights were now located behind the front valance panel, new quarter
panel ornaments, side scoops and integral rear
spoiler on the SportsRoof models, front seat back locks, and for the
first time, the VIN number, in addition to being
located on the driver's door, was also attached to the instrument
panel, and visible through the windshield. There
were several new "models" offered during 1969.
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