The 1960s were a time of change in the United States. Style was changing, music was transforming, and the automotive world was seeing alterations too. Though there were various sports cars on the market, there was a void for a simple, inexpensive American coupe that people could just have a good time in.

In 1962, Ford unveiled the Mustang I concept, a mid-engined roadster built around the ideas that would shape the future production Mustang. Worked on by a number of Ford managers called the Fairline Group, including Lee Iacocca, who would later champion the first production Mustang, it had a radical layout and design. Looking very much like a race car and taking its name from the P-51 Mustang, it was striking in appearance but didn't appeal to the general public.

Lee Iacocca felt there was interest in the Mustang idea and wanted to create something to further whet the appetite of consumers. Trying to make a car more friendly to the everyday driver, Ford produced the next concept, the Mustang II, which closely resembled the initial production version. Now using a front-mounted engine, signature three-bar taillights, and side louvers, the concept served to keep interest strong until they began rolling off the assembly line.

The finished product debuted at the World's Fair in 1964 and eventually went on to become an enormous sales success, with over 400,000 during the first year of production. This signified a new automotive category, the Pony Car, that spurred similar models from other manufacturers, like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. Here are some of the reasons the first Mustang was so significant.

Affordable Fun

1965_Ford_Mustang_2D_Hardtop_Front

The Mustang was introduced with a friendly list price of $2,368 due to parts commonality with other Ford models, notably the Falcon and Fairline. The Mustang's chassis, interior, drivetrain, and suspension were derived from each of those models, which not only made factory workers' jobs easier but also allowed dealerships to use existing in-stock parts rather than order specialized ones.

But aside from the cost, the Mustang aroused people's passions with its sporty styling, powerful engine options and fun demeanor. Interest was so strong in the new Mustang that Ford sold 22,000 on the first day of sales, signaling the arrival of a new hit for the company.

Ford's extensive market research when conceiving the Mustang paid off as buyers flocked to dealerships to scoop up what proved to be one of the hottest cars of the 1960s.

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Legitimate Performance Credentials

1965 Ford Mustang Silver On View
Via: Wikimedia

Though the first model year of the Mustang was 1965, production actually began in mid-1964. When August 1965 rolled around, a number of changes were introduced that added to the Mustang's power options, notably a 289 Hi-Po V8 engine.

Now featuring a roaring American-made V8 engine, the Mustang was a real performance car that could hit the drag strip or just do burnouts around town.

Not only did power increase, but the Mustang received a hot new styling option, the fastback. Using a downward sloping section from the roof to the trunk, it created an iconic look that remains sought after to this day. This gave way to the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, a dedicated performance car with a racing heritage born on the world endurance racing circuit.

Painted Wimbledon White with LeMans Blue accents, the GT350 used a number of enhancements like its 306 HP engine, modified A-arm suspension, side exhaust, and Borg Warner T-10 four-speed transmission.

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Classic Pony Car Style

V8-Powered 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe C-Code
Via: Mecum

With its long hood, short rear deck, side vents, and tri-bar taillights, the Mustang became a torchbearer for classic 1960's style. The clean lines, beautiful color options like Arcadian Blue or Springtime Yellow, and a multitude of options for customization made the Mustang an appealing sight on the boulevard.

Though the Mustang is built to this day and continues to sell strong, the original 1965 model's lithe outline and simple, purposeful design set a bar that will always be hard to top. Subsequent revisions to the Mustang in the late 1960s made the car heavier and bigger and seemed to take away from the light and spunky personality of the original.

Today, the 1965 Ford Mustang continues to be one of the most sought-after collector cars on the market. In 2020, Ford sold around 61,000 Mustangs in the U.S., so it's amazing to look back to 1965 and realize how popular the initial version was, with hundreds of thousands sold during that first year.

By creating the Pony Car segment, the first Ford Mustang changed the game for sports cars. With its affordability, style, and performance, it allowed people from all walks of life to get behind the wheel of an exciting and fun car.

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