Car terminology can be a confusing thing for those not initiated in the lingo. Gearheads take it for granted that normal people know the difference between a supercharger and a turbocharger, or why a Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a completely different animal to a standard Mustang GT.

Then again, there are probably quite a few die-hard gearheads who would argue another contentious point. They would drone on until they are blue in the face about how the majority of Mustangs are pony cars. With only a hallowed few being genuinely muscle cars. The prestigious 1968 Shelby GT500 KR is a prime example.

This doesn't just go for Ford Mustangs. The pony car conundrum spans many different makes and models and has been with us since the term was first coined way back in the 1960s. So in an attempt to shine a little light on the issue, here are 10 things you didn't know about pony cars.

10 What Is A Pony Car?

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To classify as a pony car, the vehicle must be compact, sporty, or have a performance image. They must remain affordable and can be stylish coupes, fastbacks, or convertibles. Engine sizes tend to be smaller than 5.0 liters. These cars are usually aimed at the younger marketplace, with an underlined fun factor.

With a short deck profile, pony cars must be able to carry 4 people. It's not an exact science, but notable early pony cars were the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Mercury Cougar, and AMC Javelin to name but a small few.

Related: 10 Most Overrated Cars From The 2000s

9 The Original Pony

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Some will proclaim the Plymouth Barracuda as the first genuine pony car. But without the Ford Mustang, there would be no reference to a pony at all. Released for the 1965 model year, the Ford Mustang was a sales success. It opened up a whole new marketplace and became an icon overnight.

It allowed those on a lower budget to buy a performance-orientated vehicle that looked great. Not only did the Mustang perform well, it appealed to the lucrative youth market. Ford had not only created a legend, but also a whole new vehicle segment.

8 It Doesn't Have To Be A V8

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Dodge

The biggest misconception about the pony car is that it needs to have a powerful V8 motor under the hood. In truth, the pony car originally leaned towards lesser displacement engines, with straight sixes being commonly utilized.

This was to keep within the parameters of being affordable to buy and run. In the late '60s, Pontiac offered the Firebird with a 3.8-liter, OHC inline six, and it was a popular model. More recently, the Challenger AWD could only be purchased with a 3.6-liter V6 engine beneath its flared hood.

7 Small And Powerful Is The Way

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The pony car was something to get excited about. Far more compact in its approach, it also offered up plenty of performance. Those not tempted by the frugal running costs of the lower displacement engines could instead choose something far tastier.

As the majority of manufacturers' engines were available for a chosen pony car, getting a high-power unit fitted was no difficult task. This left performance-loving owners with a small car that boasted large amounts of horsepower.

Related: Here's What A 1982 Checker Marathon Is Worth Today

6 An Automobile Revolution

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The introduction of the pony car brought with it the dawn of a new era in automobiles. With the market soon saturated with offerings from all major manufacturers, pony car ownership soon became a very popular thing. Never mind what your brand devotion was, there was undoubtedly an option for you.

Part of the appeal of pony car ownership was the vast array of options for the cars. From accessories, trim levels, and engine specifications, the buyer could choose what suited them best, getting to build the car of their dreams.

5 There Are European Exceptions

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Generally, a pony car is considered to be American. Yet although its origins lie in America, there are notable exceptions, the most defining being that of the Ford Capri. Often touted as the European Mustang, it is a sporting coupe offered by Ford Europe. It was sold in the U.S. as the Mercury Capri.

It came with a selection of engines, including a V6, and is best experienced with that engine as opposed to the base four cylinder unit. Light, agile, and peppy, the Capri offered a taste of what was going on in America but with a distinct European flavor. It's a pony car like no other.

4 Blurring The Muscle Car Line

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The rule of thumb states that when the displacement grows over 5.0-liters, then you graduate from pony car to muscle car. This isn't always the case though and can become very confusing with Mustangs. Rightfully, all Mustangs are pony cars.

They wear the stallion badge with pride, and the genre obviously got its name from the Ford's model name and logo. Yet when faced with a Shelby GT500 and its 350hp 7.0-liter engine, the lines between pony and muscle get blurred. It seems to have a foot in both camps, and rightly so.

Related: 8 Sports Sedans We'd Rather Drive Than The New Audi RS3

3 The Cut Price Muscle Alternative

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For many who bought into the pony car phase, they were seeking the look of the higher-powered cars at a more sensible price. Not everyone wanted more than 300hp at their disposal, but they wanted people to think they did.

Being able to spec a lower-powered car up to look like its higher-powered sibling was a massive draw for buyers. What they then got was all the show but less of the go. That meant lower running costs, cheaper insurance, yet all the attention… until they dropped the hammer, that is.

2 They Spawned A Motoring Phenomenon

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Those keen gearheads who had cut their teeth on the hot rod scene in the 50s saw the pony cars as a very unique opportunity. For a much lower price than a top-specification big-displacement model, they could tune-up one of the many small-block V8s. A whole new tuning culture broke out.

What followed were dedicated car clubs, and magazines, and the scene went crazy for aftermarket bolt-on parts. It soon became the norm to buy low and tune high. The pony car had morphed into the high-powered street racer of choice.

Related: 10 Things Everyone Forgot About The AMG-Tuned Mitsubishi Galant

1 Out To Pasture

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At one point, it seemed to be wall-to-wall pony cars. They were everywhere. Then as tastes changed, wallets tightened and imported cars became more common, the pony car was relegated to the backfield. By 2003, only Ford could genuinely claim to still be producing a pony car in the form of the Mustang.

Other manufacturers had long abandoned the concept as buyers sought out more contemporary rides. This though would change. Thanks to a recent revival, the retro-look pony car is king once again.