The Ford Mustang-How a Pony Grew Into a Stallion!

In March 1964 the Ford Mustang debuted as one the most popular cars ever built. It was the car that started the pony car craze and gave us a peek into what the world would know as the muscle car era. Although it was built in 1964 it was designated as a 1965. The ones built from March until July 31, 1964 are known as 1964 1/2 Mustangs and were somewhat different from the ones built from August 1 and later. Most of the differences were internal and the bodies were identical except for the hood being rolled under in the later ones. It was basically a Falcon with a new body and bucket seats. The ones built after July are known as 1965's and were a little more updated with such things as an alternator, adjustable passenger seat and a number of other engineering refinements. The pony interior with the running horses was offered also.

The Mustang probably had the biggest debut of any car ever made as it was introduced at the New York's World Fair and was the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Over 4 million people visited the showrooms and 22,000 were ordered the 1st day. It sold 417,000 the first year which broke all previous automobile sales records.

At first the only body styles offered were coupes and convertibles. No fastbacks were built until the 1965's came out in August. The engines were the U code 170 CI 6 cylinder, F code 260 V8 and the D code 289 V8 with 210 Horsepower. The GT came out in April 1965 and was offered in all 3 body styles and you had a choice of the A code 225 HP or K code 271 HP V8. The 271 HP K code almost qualified it as a muscle car. The 1st Shelby Mustangs, all fastbacks, came out in 1965 and was really a hotrod with no backseat and hopped up to 306 HP.

1966 didn't see a lot of changes in the body except for the pony in the grill, side trim and restyled gas cap. The G.T. 350 came out in 1966 and Hertz ordered 1,001 of them for rental cars or "Rent-a Racers" as they were known as. Many Sundays they could be found at the dragstrip or road race course. There was a rumor at the time that a number of them were rented and the engines swapped with the renter's engine and returned to the dealer. True or not it makes a heck of a story. This was also the first year for the High Country Special sold in Colorado and Wyoming. The Shelby GT350 was available with a 289cid that put out 306hp and likely qualified it as a muscle car. In 1967 the Mustang had the 1st body redesign, although it

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