The History Of The Ford Mustang example essay topic

It seems that almost everyone has a favorite Mustang. With so many different generations of the Muscle Car to choose from the list is varied. To some, a Candy Apple Red 65' with a 289 is the best ever. Or how about a fastback with theHighPower V 8 and GT package? Ever heard the rumble from a Boss 302?

And yet others consider the 5.0 Liter Mustangs the best largely because of the variety of low cost add-on parts available. These cars are inexpensive to buy and modify. And then there is the Cobras no matter what year or body style the Cobras come of the factory line ready to go "Run " em". In the early 60s' the only American sports car was the Corvette at a price to costly for many young Americans.

The Thunderbird was basically a luxury car at the time. As a result Imported sports cars were selling well. Within a few years the post-war baby boomers would be buying their first car. The Mustang II concept car generated allot of excitement and led directly to the first Mustang less than a year later. Ford was unaware how popular the car would be.

They announced when the first television commercial would be shown and many Americans tuned in to see it. The next day, the first day of availability, Ford sold 22,000 mustangs. The 19641/2, as it was later called, was available in only two models: the coupe and convertible. Both models featured a lengthened hood and shortened rear deck, chrome wrap-around bumpers, chrome grille with a running horse, and full wheel covers. Both models were available with a 170 cid, 101 horsepower, 6 cylinder engine, a 260-2 V, 164 horsepower V-8, a 289-4 V, 210 horsepower V-8 and, starting in June, a fire breathing, 4 barrel, solid lifter, 271 horsepower, 289 cid V-8 engine. The buyer had a choice of a 3 speed, 4 speed or automatic transmission, and a variety of rear end gear ratios.

The interior featured 'wall-to-wall' carpeting, front bucket seats or an optional front bench seat, rear bench seat, a sports car style steering wheel, floor mounted shifter, and full headliner (Kowalke). There were a total of 121,538 Mustangs produced during the 6412 model run (Mustang). 1965 brought few changes for the Mustang. The biggest change was the availability of a new fastback model, which was to become the basis for Carroll Shelby's G.T. 350. The 120 horsepower, 200 cid 6 cylinder engine replaced the 170 cid 6 cylinder, the 289-2 V, 200 horsepower V-8 replaced the 260-2 V, the 289-4 Was upgraded to 225 horsepower, and the 289-4 V hi-po remained unchanged (Kowalke).

Other changes for 1965 included: an alternator instead of a generator, relocation of the oil filler, integral power steering pump and reservoir (most 64 12 had a remote mounted reservoir), a wire retaining ring was added to the gas cap, the horns were smaller and relocated, and the interior carpet was continued up the sides of the front interior panel and under the sill plate. (Wilson) A new interior option was added, the interior decor group (known as the pony interior), which featured special seat covers with running horses across the back, special interior door panes with integral arm rests and "pistol grip" door handles, five gauge instrument panel, wood grain steering wheel, and wood grain on the instrument cluster, glove box, and optionally on the center console (Mustang). Another option introduced in April of 1965 was the GT equipment group. Available only with one of the two four barrel engines, the GT group included five-dial instrumentation, disc brakes, larger sway bars, quicker steering ratio, dual exhaust which exited through the rear valance panel, grill mounted fog lights, and special lower body side stripes.

(Auto) A total of 559,451 Mustangs were produced for the 1965 model year. 1966 brought even fewer changes than did its predecessor. 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 (Kowalke). The lower rocker panel molding became standard equipment, as did backup lights, and a chrome hood lip molding. The fuel filler cap no longer included the plastic Mustang emblem insert found on the earlier models. (Wilson) On the inside the Mustang was 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.

Production increased to 607,568 units for 1966. (Wilson) 1967 brought the first major restyling to the Mustang. The Mustang was starting to grow up. The length and height were increased, 2.7' and.

5' respectively. The wider body allowed for the installation of a tire smoking, 320 horsepower, 390 cid engine, the first big block engine in the mustang. Among new options for 67 were the tilt-away steering wheel, an overhead console, power disc brakes, and an all new transmission, the FAX, which allowed fully automatic or manual shifting. Thefastback's roof line was extended to the rear of the trunk. Interior trim options were decreased from 34 in 1966 to just 20 in 1967. Production for 1967 slipped to just over 472,000 units (Kowalke).

The 1968 Mustang was little changed from it 67 counterpart. Most of the changes were in very small changes in the interior and exterior. New options for 68 included an AM / FM stereo radio, rear window defogger (coupe and fastback only), re-designed front power disc brakes, and the all new 302 cid engine. The 302-4 V, 230 horsepower engine replaced the 289 Challenger Special of previous years. By December of 67, the 289 engine was replaced entirely by the 302 version. Other changes included the deletion of the horizontal grille bars, the deletion of the-O-R-D letters at the front of the hood, simplification of the quarter panel ornament, and many safety features (Kowalke).

Due to increasing governmental regulations, the 1968 Mustang now included front and rear side marker lights, folding, flush mounted interior door handles, and an energy absorbing steering column for safety. There were several 'region specific' models offered from various dealers. Two of the most notable were the California Special, and the High Country Special. Total production for 1968 was 317,404 units. A GT package available on the two versions of the 289 V 8 tightened up the suspension, making the car handle better and run faster.

(Auto) In 71' the Mustang switched to a Fairmont / Tari no platform. Ford was planning for the big block V 8's just before there was a fuel shortage and changes in Emission standards. The car grew another 3 inches and were big "luxury" type cars and didn't handle as well as in previous years. New bumper requirements in 73' added weight -- up to about 3800 lbs (Kowalke). In 74' Ford again switched the base of the Mustang this time to the Pinto chassis. 74' is the only year where Ford did not offer aV 8 in a Mustang, and there was also no convertible.

The years between 74' and 78'have been deemed the "Dark Ages" of automotive performance as the industry wash it hard by pollution controls and gas prices. It took about ten years until the Mustang would get some power again due to the "Computer Age" In 79' the Mustang switched to MacPherson struts in the Front and was offered with a turbocharger (Mustang). No changes were made until 83' when the standard tire size decreased. Gas shocks were introduced in 84'. In 93' Ford finally announced that it would be the last year for the "Fox-Body" Mustang. But they did introduce the Cobra R although they only made 107 Cobra R's they were a big hit (Wilson).

With a new platform the 94' also got a more aero dynamic body. In 96' Ford came out with the V-10 and V-12. In 98' making the exhaust ports on the engine bigger Ford added some horsepower. The Mustang then goes unchanged, but there is talk of new Body Style in 2004. We can all only dream about what is in store for the Mustang. (DeMere) So what exactly is in store for the new mustang, I can't really tell you, I can tell you that the Ford Motor Company will carry on the tradition started by Lee Iocaccoawhen he designed the first mustang in early 1964.

I have always been a huge fan of the mustang, after doing this report my respect for the men and women involved in the making of an American icon has grown even deeper. I can only hope that one day I may own a piece of American Muscle Car History and not just any muscle car but a Mustang to me the best overall car, and best looking car ever made. My dream is by the time I'm 25 to own a 1970 Shelby GT-500 Mustang, a car that has been featured in many movies most recently "Gone in 60 Seconds". For it's styling and for it's overall power.

In "Gone in 60 Seconds" the car bears the name Eleanor and if my dream ever comes true my car will always be named Eleanor. I hope this report has given you information on the history of the Mustang specifically the early years ranging from 65-73.

Bibliography

Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. Cars of the Sizzling '60's. 222-392. Publications International, Ltd. 2000 DeMere, Mac.
Motor Trend. "Detroit Muscle" 30-46. August 2000 Vol.
52, No. 8 Kowalke, Ron. Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975.
447-459. Iola, WI: Krause Publications 1997".
Mustang - The Legend is Born". Fast Wheels Net Magazine October 16th 2000.
On-Line. Internet. November 13th 2001.
Available web wheels/. htm Wilson, Jim. "Mustang Info" ClassicPonycar. Com January 4th 2001.
On-Line. Internet. November 24th 2001.