Mustang History Highlights:

1962 project code named T-5
Robert S. McNamara credited with concept
Lee Iacocca was Ford marketing director
Names considered:
Cheetah, Puna, 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 through 1966:
-First Mustang unveiled on 17 April of 1964 -Base price: $2,360.00 -Cars made before September of 1964 are 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: -260 2bbl V-8 (early) -120 Horsepower 200 I-6 (4 lug wheels) -200 Horsepower 289 2bbl V-8 (C-Code) -225 Horsepower 289 4bbl V-8 (A-Code) -271 Horsepower 289 V-8 (K-Code Hipo 289) -California starts producing thermactor exhaust system (smog) -Carroll Shelby introduced his GT-350's in fastback model -Nov. 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 through 1968
(slightly larger cars) -Sprint 200 sold many (decked-out 200cid I-6) -Straight six available with 200 and 250 cid -Big block 390 V-8s are now available and big sellers -Good-bye to the trusty 289 and begin the 302 -302 V-8 comes with 230 HP or 250 HP -390 V-8 pumps out 270 HP or 325 HP -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 360 HP -Optional dealer-added 427 -"Specials" arrive: California, High Country, Blue Bonnet, Twister -Steve McQueen drives a 1968 fastback in the movie "Bullitt"
     
1969 through 1970
(even larger this time) -New design, 4 inches longer -Four new models: Mach I, Grande, Boss 302, Boss 429 -Body styles: Sportsroof, Coupe, Grande, Convertible, Grabber -Engines: -6 cyl. still available in 200 and 250 cid -302 V-8 starts with 210 HP -Boss 302 is introduced with 290 HP 302 -351 Windsor debut 250-290 HP (grown up 302) -390 pumps out 320 HP with 4v carb -428 CJ comes with 335 HP -Boss 429 is powered with 375 HP 429 cid -Shelby's last year is 1970 -1970 Boss 302 and 429 phased out -Last of the "smaller" Mustangs
    
1971 through 1973
(the largest Mustangs) -Boss 429 and Boss 302 are replaced by Boss 351 -Engines: -250 cid is only I-6 (145 HP) -302 cid 210 HP -351 Cleveland comes with 240-285 HP -Boss 351 produces 330 HP -429 cid 370-375 HP -1972 - no more Boss cars or engines -1972 Mach I powered with 351C 275 HP -The age of the classic Mustang has drawn to an end -Some say it ended in 1970, but how about the 1971 Boss 351?
    
1974 through 1978
(fuel economy years - low power) -Enter the dark ages of the Mustang, the muscle car is out -Mustang is now known as Mustang II -Little more than a pumped up Pinto -Mustang Enthusiasts start hiding -4 banger starts with 87 HP! -Upgrade to V-6 and get 97 HP! -Believe it or not, there was a V-6 Mach I -1975 return of the V-8 302 but with only 133 HP -"T" tops and Ghias -1978 "King Cobra" with 302 V-8
    
1979 through 1993
(Fox and the Hounds) -Ford tries to bring back the Mustang -1979 model still ugly -Performance slowly on a comeback -1984 shows some high performace with SVO Team -Ford goes after the "Beamer" crowd with high-tech -302 still only gives out 175 HP but performs -Mustang SVO does 1/4 mile in 15.5 and 137 mph ... not bad -Saleen cars squeak out 170 mph -1985: Enter the "5.0 Mustangs" -5.0 HO EFI V-8 produced 175-205 HP -Mustangs are fun to drive again -SVO dropped in 1987 from poor sales -HP incresed 25 with new exhaust to 225 HP -1993: Saleen celebrates last of the "Fox" Mustangs

1994 through 1996:
New look Mustangs began work in 1989 -30-year anniversary -SVT Mustang Cobra R has 330 HP 351W -V-6 3.8L pumps out 145 HP -5.0 V-8 still around -1994 Indy Pace Car has 235 HP 5.0, faster look -1996 Intro of the new 4.6L SOHC -Many mods available (factory and other) -Turbos and blown motors -Cars are fun to drive, but smaller inside than my '66