The first generation Ford Mustang is a celebration of classic muscle cars

Modern Ford Mustangs in most trim levels do not look like classic muscle cars. Except in appearance, but under the hood they have four-cylinder engines with a volume of 2,3 liters. And even though they produce more than 300 hp, this is far from what they used to be.


Only the much less common V8 versions save the situation. But there are very few of them, and there is an explanation for this – the laws of the market. As it turns out, the buyer votes with a conventional ruble, dollar or euro for more economical models. And they are cheaper.

Therefore, the manufacturer "dropped" to the EcoBoost series engines. No, they are good in principle, but not for muscle cars. But they are economical, compared to the V8.


Today we will tell you about a real legend. This is the first generation Ford Mustang. Already rare car even in the USA. But it is so popular that there are 5-10 copies on sale in Russia.

As for the cost in our country, they are asking a lot for the first Ford Mustang. For the most affordable options they want no less than 4,5 million rubles. And this is for copies with a basic engine - 2,8 liters V6. And for the most expensive "Mustang" of the first generation they are asking 15 million.

So what is so legendary about this old car, produced from 1964 to 1973? Let's try to figure it out today.

The story of

We should probably start in 1955, when Ford management decided to launch the premium Edsel brand. Great hopes were pinned on it, especially since several models in the same style debuted in the line.

But sales failed miserably, causing Ford huge losses. There were several reasons for this misfortune:

✅ Economic crisis in the USA
✅ Gradual oversaturation of the local car market
✅ Americans' rejection of the new brand

Then the brand was removed from the range, but it had already done its job. The manufacturer partially lost the trust of its customers, and the losses had to be covered urgently, otherwise it threatened a financial abyss.


The market demanded something unusual, so Ford management took a risk by releasing a new model of the muscle car class. And the "father" of the Ford Mustang was Lee Iacocca and his team.

Where did the idea come from?

The prototype of the model was Thunderbird. The creators paid attention to its popularity, but the car was not available to everyone. Therefore, the decision came quickly - to make a "people's" car similar to the "Burevestnik".

This is how the first generation Ford Mustang was “born”. The model didn’t even look the way the fashion of those years demanded. A minimum of chrome, a rejection of the “space” design of the rear part.


Initially, since 1963, the car was sold only in a coupe body. But a couple of years later, a fastback and a convertible appeared.

Technical details

The Ford Mustang was conceived as a stylish, but mass-market car. That's why it debuted with a simple V6 engine under the hood, shared with the Falcon model. This power unit had a working volume of 2,8 liters and developed a power of 102 hp.

But three gearboxes were offered at once. One mechanical, three-speed, two automatic for 2nd and 3rd gears.

The explosive interest in the model prompted the creators to make improvements. Since 1965, the manufacturer began offering the GT and Shelby GT350 versions. The first was distinguished by a reconfigured chassis, steering, body kit, and exhaust system. But its engine remained the same - 2,8 liters with 102 hp.


But the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 received a V8 with a power of 306 "horses". It was this version that became legendary, but too expensive for ordinary Americans. Therefore, the manufacturer understood where it needed to go next.


But the most important innovation of 1966 was the ability to order a Ford Mustang with a V8 engine. You just had to pay a little extra for this power unit. And the engines were offered in a power range from 200 to 271 hp.

Technically, the cars were very simple. Independent front, dependent rear spring suspension. The latter with a beam and springs. Power steering and brakes were offered only as a paid option.

The chassis of the Ford Mustang was not similar to a sports car at all. An ordinary car with two-door body types, which received powerful engines under the hood. In general, an analogue of a homemade car for street racing. But in a factory version.


But there were more than three dozen interior trim options. All this together made the car incredibly popular. During the first 9 months of sales, the manufacturer managed to sell more than 260 thousand Ford Mustangs.

Low power!

By the beginning of 1967, the image of the first "Mustang" had already taken shape. In order not to lose ground under pressure from its competitor, the Chevrolet Camaro, the car's appearance became more "cocky". The dimensions increased slightly due to a new body kit and bumpers.

Demand for modifications with V6 engines remained consistently high. Versions with Windsor V8 were also sold just as well. The old Shelby was lost against the latter, so it was decided to release a new modification – with a seven-liter engine with 390 hp.

Another interesting version appeared in the period from 1968 to 1969 – Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet. It only produced 550 hp according to the documentation, but in reality it easily exceeded 610 “horses”.


In 1968, Mustangs with luxurious interior trim began to be sold. The car was turning into a status model.

There is no limit to perfection

1969 was marked by the modernization of the first generation Ford Mustang. The trend of increasing power, dimensions and weight continued. In order to cover as many niches as possible, the manufacturer added several more modifications to the model.


Among them were:

✅ E – the most accessible
✅ Mach 1 – sporty
✅ BOSS – with an air intake on the hood, extended arches, spoiler
✅ Grande – luxurious

Along with the standard Mustangs, Shelby Cobra versions were offered, and they became more expensive with each passing year.

Crash

Among Ford Mustang buyers, two camps of customers gradually formed. The first wanted to buy an affordable car, but with a bold appearance. The second wanted more – large, heavy and powerful cars.


The Mustangs followed suit. They received more and more powerful power units, and their handling worsened with each passing year. It was in the early 1970s that muscle cars began to be considered cars that only drove well in a straight line.

Numerous accidents involving such vehicles prompted the state to pass a number of laws limiting power. Now in the US they have begun measuring the latter on cars ready for sale, with all the attachments.

As a result, the base 8-liter V4,3 engine began to develop first 99, and then 95 hp. But before the restrictions, it produced 164 “horses”.


Several of the most powerful modifications had to be discontinued and the rest were "cut down". As a result, Ford Mustang began to rapidly lose popularity. What was the point of buying "gluttonous" V8s if they didn't drive?

Priorities had to be revised, which eventually resulted in the second, much more modest generation of Mustangs. It received a range of engines from 2,3 to 4,9 liters. "Monsters with engines from 5,8 to 7,0 were lost for this model forever...

Today, the first-generation Ford Mustang is a collector's item. Buying one and being able to store it in a heated garage is a good investment.