Mustang Muscle Cars

 
The launch of the Ford Mustang muscle cars in 1964 was the Ford Motor Company's bid to make their mark in what has been labelled the “street wars” as the motor manufacturers attempted to lure a young generation of motorists to buy their products.

Ford's general general manager Lee Iacocca had predicted that a small sports model would capture that market, but instead Ford launched what was to become a new class of vehicle, the pony car.

The pony car was typically a highly styled, compact and had what is labelled as a performance orientated image. The name “Mustang” was suggested by Ford's executive stylist John Najjar after the P-51 Second World War fighter.

Ford research chief Robert Jeggert also liked the name and it was submitted in a list to a focus group, where it emerged as a firm favourite.

The response to the launch of the Ford Mustang was excellent as it sold in excess of 22,000 on the first day it hit the showrooms. Sales topped a million within two years.
 
Midway through 1965 Ford introduced a 2 +2 fast track body style for both the Mustang's hardtop and convertible editions.

A new "K-code" 271bhp 289 cid V8 was also added. More was to come from the Mustang muscle cars range, and following collaboration between the renowned designer Carroll Shelby and Ford, the Shelby GT-50 was launched. Unlike the Mustang, the GT-50 had no rear seat.

The following year saw further design changes for the Ford Mustang. The gauge cluster was altered and 260 the cid V8 engine was superseded with two and four barrel versions of the 289 cid V8.

By the fourth year of production, 1967, the Ford Mustang underwent a huge restyling. The grille was given a more aggressive look, and the metal below the belt line was made more bulky.

A concave tail panel and a full fastback roof line gave the Mustang a fastback body look. Under the bonnet the big block 390 replaced the 289 cid.

More minor style changes followed in 1968, but there were to be major changes under the bonnet as Ford introduced the 428 Cobra Jet engine, with the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. In 1969 the Mustang's size was increased, gaining almost four inches in length and 140 pounds in curb weight.

In the early 1970s, emission controls in the United States became tighter. This led to the end of the Mustang's renown as a high performance vehicle.

The styling of Mustang was not helped when in 1973 laws in the United States demanded bumpers capable of withstanding a 50 mph collision.

By that same year, the standard engine was a 351 V8 producing just 156bhp. By 1974, with the launch of the Mustang II, no further claims were being made about it being a performance car.

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