Names considered:
Cheetah, Puma, Thunderbird II, Cougar, Colt
Special, Falcon, Torino, and Mustang
100,000 new Mustangs sold in the first 90 days
160,000 sold by the end of 1964
1964 1/2 - 1966
First Mustang unveiled on 17 April of 1964
Base price: $2,360.00
Cars made before September of 1964 were considered 1964 1/2
1964 1/2 models included only the convertible and coupe
Fastback was introduced in the 1965 model year
Engine options were:
o 260 2bbl V8 (early)
o 120 Horsepower 200 Inline 6
o 200 Horsepower 289 2bbl V8 (C-Code)
o 225 Horsepower 289 4bbl V8 (A-Code)
o 271 Horsepower 289 V8 (K-Code Hipo 289)
California starts producing thermactor exhaust system (smog)
Carroll Shelby introduced his GT-350's in fastback model
November 1965, Hertz contracts for 1,000 Shelby GT-350H models
GT package debuts in mid April of 1965
By the end of the first year of sales, 417,000 were sold
Plants in Dearborn MI, San Jose CA, and Metuchen NJ are used.
1967 - 1968
Straight sixcylinder available with 200 and 250 cid
Big block 390 V8's were available and big sellers
Good-bye to the trusty 289 and hello to the 302
302 V8 comes with 230HP or 250HP
390 V8 pumps out 270HP or 325HP
Shelby GT-350 was joined by the GT-500 (big block) in this era
Shelby offered 3 engines and 7 different colors, and convertible
Shelby's "King of the Road" GT-500KR debuts
Intro of the 428 Cobra Jet with 360HP
Optional dealer-added 427
"Specials" arrive: California, High Country, Blue Bonnet, Twister
Steve McQueen drives a 1968 fastback in the movie "Bullitt"
1969 - 1970
New design, 4 inches longer
Four new models: Mach I, Grande, Boss 302, Boss 429
Body styles: Sportsroof, Coupe, Grande, Convertible, Grabber
Engines Options were:
o 6 cyl. still available in 200 and 250 cid
o 302 V-8 starts with 210HP
o Boss 302 is introduced with 290HP 302
o 351 Windsor debut 250-290HP (grown up 302)
o 390 pumps out 320HP with 4V carb
o 428 CJ comes with 335HP
o Boss 429 is powered with 375HP 429 cid
Carol Shelby's last year is 1970
1970 Boss 302 and 429 phased out
1971 - 1973
Boss 429 and Boss 302 are replaced by Boss 351
Engines Options were:
o 250 cid is only Inline 6 (145HP)
o 302 cid 210HP
o 351 Cleveland produces 240-285HP
o Boss 351 produces 330HP
o 429 cid produces 370-375HP
1972 - No more Boss cars or engines
1972 Mach I powered with 351C 275HP
The age of the classic Mustang as we know it has drawn to an end
1974 - 1978
Enter the dark ages of the Mustang, the muscle car is out
Mustang is now known as Mustang II
Mustang Enthusiasts start hiding
4 cylinder starts with 87HP
Upgrade to V6 and 97HP
Believe it or not, there was a V6 Mach I
1975 return of the V8 302 but with only 133HP
"T" tops and Ghias introduced
1978 "King Cobra" with 302 V8
1979 - 1993
1979 model still ugly
Performance slowly on the comeback
1984 shows some high performance with SVO Team
302 still only gives out 175HP but performs well
Mustang SVO does 1/4 mile in 15.5 seconds
Mustang SVO does 137mph top speed
Saleen cars squeak out 170 mph
1985 - Enter the "5.0 Mustangs"
5.0 HO EFI V8 produced 175-205HP
Mustangs are fun to drive again
SVO dropped in 1987 from poor sales
HP increased 25 with new exhaust to 225HP
1993: Saleen celebrates last of the "Fox" Mustangs
