Joseph SzczesnyTimes correspondent
With 60 years of grit, muscle and persistence, the Ford Mustang is emerging as as Detroit’s Last Muscle Car Standing.
Its last true competitors, the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Charger and Challenger, are fading into the electric vehicle revolution.
From its storied introduction at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, for which it made the covers of Time and Newsweek, the principal newsweeklies at the time, Mustang has led charmed life.
Thank designers at Ford Motor Co. for hewing to a fixed set of styling cues nurtured for decades.
"Mustang is going to celebrate its 60th anniversary coming up here," Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley noted recently. "A lot of our competitors have left. They’ve come and gone. We never did that. We’ve always been there with Mustang,” Farley added.
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Initially seen as an entry into what promised to be a growing youth market of the Baby Boom, Mustang also was considered an affordable “secretaries’ car” around Ford headquarters. It did better than that. Mustang drew buyers from all demographics to become one of Ford's most popular models in the 1960s.
The Mustang lives on as a sports car with a model range attractive to everyone, including enthusiasts seeking super car-level performance and speed. Currently, the hottest of the bunch is a $300,000 GTD for 2025 inspired by the GT3 cars. It packs a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that promises 800 hp.
But Farley is quick to point out that this variety is key to Mustang's success.
"Sixty years, and it’s changed over time. We have EcoBoost. We have the Dark Horse now, and we’re going to continue to invest. And if we’re the only one on the planet making a V-8 affordable sports car for everyone in the world, so be it," Farley said.
New for 2024, Dark Horse offers a 5-liter, twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) V-8, which is known as the Coyote and is good for 500 hp and 418 lb.-ft. of torque.
Even in these days of zero-emission vehicles, Farley noted that Ford plans to continue selling a version of the Mustang with a V-8 engine for the foreseeable future.
Last September, Ford took the wraps off an all-new seventh generation Mustang, which company executives call “the most exhilarating and fun-to-drive yet.”
The 2024 Mustang’s digital co*ckpit is inspired by fighter jets and features two large customizable digital displays while Ford Power-Up software updates create an upgradable experience.
The new Mustang offers two new engines —a 2.3-liter EcoBoost and the Mustang GT’s most powerful 5-liter Coyote V-8— a new Remote Rev feature that lets you rev the car’s engine remotely using the key fob and an available Electronic Drift Brake that can turn a novice into a drifting pro, according to Ford engineers.
A new driver assistance feature called Exit Warning also is available. The system can warn that a cyclist or scooter is approaching so the driver doesn't open the door in their path.
“Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion vehicles,” according to Farley.
Whether convertible or coupe, V-8 or turbo 4, manual or automatic, Mustang has options at multiple price points and performance levels. The 2024 edition adds another chapter to an icon, delivering the looks, sound and appeal of the world’s best-selling sports coupe for seven years running, he added.
Pony show
Here's a look at the highlights of Ford's Pony Car:
1964 Mustang bows at the New York World's Fair as a 1964 1/2 model, Named for the WWII fighter plane. P-51 Mustang, it's priced from $2,368.
1965 Mustang sales top 1 million.
1967 Mustang adopts fastback design.
1970 "Shaker" hood scoop is offered on all Mustangs with V-8s of 351-cid or larger.
1971 Mustang grows a foot and gains 600 pounds, for the largest model.
1973 This is the last Mustang to be built on a Falcon platform.
1974 Redesigned Mustang II is 19 inches shorter and 500 pounds lighter; V-8 and convertible options are dropped.
1975 V-8 is back with a small-block 302.
1977 Fastback coupe offers T-Top glass panels.
1978 King Cobra badged as a 5.0, the metric equivalent of the 302.
1979 Fox platform Mustang is longer and taller but 200 pounds lighter than Mustang II.
1982 Mustang GT returns after 12-year absence with a 5-liter V-8.
1983 Convertible, power-operated and with a glass window, is back after 10 years.
1984 Mustang SVO features a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4 and a dual-wing spoiler.
1987 Mustang goes aero with a redesign.
1989 Mustang turns 25 with a 25 years label added to the iconic Mustang logo.
1993 To bid farewell to the Fox platform, Ford's Special Vehicle Team introduces the Cobra.
1994 Mustang turns 30 and gets a redesign that harkens back to its beginnings.
1996 Mustang GTs and SVT Cobras get Ford’s new 4.6-liter “modular” overhead cam V-8.
1999 A redesign makes Mustang more angular with new hood, grille, fascia and lamps.
2001 Taking a cue from the green 1968 Mustang 390 GT in the Steve McQueen movie "Bullitt," the Mustang Bullitt GT bows.
2004 Ford's 300 millionth car is a 2004 Mustang GT convertible 40th anniversary edition.
2005 An all-new Mustang rolls off the line in Flat Rock. Mich.
2007 The SVT-engineered Shelby GT500 is introduced.
2008 The 9 millionth Mustang — a GT convertible —is sold.
2010 Mustang gets new, more muscular styling with features such as a power-dome hood.
2012 The Boss 302 is back for the first time in more than 40 years.
2013 At 662 horsepower, a supercharged 5.8-liter makes the Shelby GT500 the most powerful production V-8 in the world.
2015 All-new Ford Mustang debuts witha turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 310 hp.
2019 The Bullitt is back with a 480-hp V-8.
2021 A performance-oriented Mach 1 rolls out.
2024 Seventh generation Mustang bows witha 2.3-liter EcoBoost or a 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 in the GT.
Source: Ford Motor Co.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast-based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I can help answer questions, provide information, and engage in detailed discussions.
Regarding the concepts mentioned in the article about the Ford Mustang, let's discuss each one:
Ford Mustang's History and Popularity
The Ford Mustang was introduced at the 1964 New York World's Fair and quickly gained popularity. It became one of Ford's most popular models in the 1960s and has since become an iconic sports car The Mustang has a storied history and has undergone various changes and updates over the years Despite the changing automotive landscape, the Mustang has remained a popular choice for enthusiasts and has maintained its position as a leading muscle car.
Mustang's Model Range and Performance
The Mustang offers a range of models and performance options to cater to different preferences and budgets. It has options at multiple price points and performance levels For example, the 2024 Mustang offers two new engines: a 2.3-liter EcoBoost and a 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 There are also high-performance variants, such as the GTD for 2025, which features a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 with 800 hp.
Ford's Commitment to the Mustang
Ford has expressed its commitment to the Mustang and plans to continue selling a version of the Mustang with a V-8 engine for the foreseeable future Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, Ford believes that offering a V-8 affordable sports car sets the Mustang apart.
Mustang's Legacy and Milestones
The Mustang has a rich history and has achieved several milestones over the years. Here are some notable highlights:
- 1964: The Mustang is introduced at the New York World's Fair as a 1964 1/2 model.
- 1965: Mustang sales top 1 million.
- 1970: The "Shaker" hood scoop is offered on all Mustangs with V-8s of 351-cid or larger.
- 1982: The Mustang GT returns after a 12-year absence with a 5-liter V-8.
- 1993: Ford's Special Vehicle Team introduces the Cobra as a farewell to the Fox platform.
- 2005: An all-new Mustang is introduced.
- 2013: The Shelby GT500 becomes the most powerful production V-8 in the world with 662 horsepower.
- 2024: The seventh generation Mustang is introduced with new features and engine options.
These are just a few highlights from the Mustang's history. The Mustang has evolved over time while maintaining its iconic status as a best-selling sports coupe.
Please let me know if there's anything specific you would like to know about the Ford Mustang or if you have any other questions!
