Ford — Mustang

Ford — Mustang

Base MSRP by Year

All figures are $USD and US Pricing

Mustang Annual Sales (US only)

All figures are x1000

History and Development

The Ford Mustang was born in 1964 and is credited with pioneering the "pony car" class of affordable, compact, highly stylized sports coupes. Ford saw a potential new market for baby boomers and worked to create a sporty car with a long hood and short rear deck taking inspiration from sports cars like the Ford Thunderbird. The first generation Mustang debuted on April 17, 1964 at the New York World's Fair. With its long hood, short deck, affordable pricing around $2,300, and Ford's first modern six-cylinder and V8 engine options, the Mustang became a huge success. Over 400,000 Mustangs were sold in the first year alone, exceeding Ford's expected sales of around 100,000 units. The Mustang was facelifted for 1967 and grew larger and more muscular for 1969 ushering in the first major redesign. Performance models like the Mach 1, Boss 302, and Boss 429 appealed to enthusiasts during this era. The late 60s saw the Mustang evolve into more of a muscle car than the compact sports car it originated as. In 1974, the Mustang grew even larger for its second redesign based on the Pinto platform due to emissions and safety regulations. While performance declined, the Mustang II's smaller size provided better fuel economy during the 1970s oil crisis. A return to the Mustang's sporty roots occurred for the third generation launched in 1979, moving to a newer Fox platform and eventually offering powerful 5.0L V8 models again by the mid-1980s with the arrival of performance trims like the GT and Cobra. Subsequent generations maintained the Mustang as a front-engine, rear-drive sports car while evolving the styling and upgrades like независимое rear suspensions and мοdеrп drivetrains. The current sixth generation debuted for 2015 with updated retro styling reminiscent of earlier models. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Ford Mustang became one of the most successful and iconic American cars ever made by remaining affordable yet stylish and performance-oriented over the decades through continuous development.

Generations

1st Generation (1964-1973) • Debuted on April 17, 1964 as a 1964.5 model • Offered with inline 6-cylinder or V8 engines • Fastback, coupe, and convertible body styles • 1965 brought the 2+2 fastback model • 1967 gave the Mustang a more sculpted body design • 1969 saw the Mustang grow larger and more muscular •Performance models like the GT, Mach 1, Boss 302, and Boss 429 2nd Generation (1974-1978) • Downsized for 1974 onto the Pinto platform due to emissions and fuel crises • Offered hatchback and notchback coupes only, no convertibles • 1975 brought the re-introduction of the Mustang II name • Performance was modest with smaller engines

3rd Generation (1979-1993) • Moved to the modern Fox platform in 1979, larger than Mustang II • Offered hatchback, coupe, and convertible body styles • 1982 saw the return of the GT model with a 5.0L V8 • 1984 SVO turbo 4-cylinder and 1986 SVOmotorsport suspension package • 5.0L GT and Cobra models were popular performance versions 4th Generation (1994-2004) • Redesigned for 1994 while retaining the Fox platform • Sleeker aerodynamic styling with specific SVT Cobra models • 1996 saw the re-introduction of the Mustang convertible • 4.6L SOHC and DOHC "Modular" V8 engines

5th Generation (2005-2014) • All-new D2C platform for 2005, retro styling cues • Initial engine choices were 4.0L V6 and 4.6L V8 • Shelby GT500 model debuted in 2007 with a 500hp supercharged V8 • 2011-2014 models had updated engines and styling tweaks 6th Generation (2015-Present) • Brand new platform and exterior redesign for 2015 • Continued retro styling combined with modern tech • Base 2.3L EcoBoost turbo 4, GT has 5.0L Coyote V8 • Shelby GT350 and GT500 high-performance variants • Hybrid and all-electric models (not the Mustang Mach-E) expected soon

Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first fully electric SUV/crossover vehicle. While it bears the iconic Mustang name, it is not a traditional two-door sports car like the classic Mustang models. Instead, it's an electric vehicle designed to be more practical and family-friendly with its SUV body style and interior space. Ford decided to leverage the Mustang brand name and styling cues (like the long hood and tri-bar taillights) to market the Mach-E as an electric vehicle that captures the spirit and performance of the Mustang line, but in a modern, emissions-free package. However, this decision to call an electric SUV a "Mustang" was controversial among some Mustang enthusiasts. So in summary, the Mach-E borrows the Mustang name and some design elements, but packages electric performance and practicality in a non-traditional Mustang SUV body style.