Ford Mustang | Popular icon turns 60

Like many major projects, the Ford Mustang was born 60 years ago from an idea that was simple in appearance, but complex to realize.

Ford division general manager Lee Iacocca soon after his appointment in 1960 assembled a team of executives to hold informal meetings outside the company's offices. The mission: to develop the idea of ​​an affordable coupe with a sporty look to woo the young, rising generation of baby boomers.

In order to lower costs and thus ensure the green light from big boss Henry Ford II, very reluctant after the failure of the Edsel brand, the group chose to build its creation on the foundations of the compact Falcon. Iacocca revealed the selected design to Henry Ford II in August 1962 and received his approval in September, with one condition: increase rear legroom by 2.5 cm, the excellent book tells us. Mustang – Fifty Years: Celebrating America's Only True Pony Car. The project has a budget limited to 45 million US dollars – 30 million less than what Iacocca initially asked for – and must be completed in just 18 months. The first Mustang was assembled on April 9, 1964, five days before its unveiling to the world. It was the start of an exciting and tumultuous story.

First generation (1965 to 1973)*

The unveiling of the first generation took place in a rather grandiose manner at the New York International Fair on April 17, 1964. It was literally love at first sight in front of these timeless lines designed under the direction of Joe Oros. Its long hood, the centerpiece of the design, was to symbolize the power of its mechanics in the eyes of Lee Iacocca. The standard engine, a 2.8 L (170 in.) in-line six-cylinder^⁠3), still had only 101 hp to deliver, but the buyer could choose between two 4.2 L (260 in.) V8 options^⁠3) developing 164 hp or 4.7 L (289 in.^⁠3) producing 210 hp. We will have to wait a few months before we see a certain Carroll Shelby look under his hood in order to deploy its potential with the first Shelby GT350 equipped with a 4.7 L V8 of 306 hp. Thanks to its starting price of only US$2,368, the Mustang's success was immediate. Its sales reached 607,568 copies during the first year of production and the million mark was exceeded in two years.

Second generation (from 1974 to 1978)

After years of constant growth in its dimensions, the Mustang shrank significantly for its second generation. It was the birth of the famous Mustang II in reaction to the first oil shock of 1973, unloved by many. Built on a chassis shared with the Pinto, it measures just 4.4 m long, 20 cm less than a current Honda Civic. It also weighs 220 kg less than its predecessor. The size of the mechanics is also greatly reduced. THE pony car is for the first time powered by a four-cylinder. With a displacement of 2.3 L, it puts out a meager 85 hp, while the optional V6 raises the stakes to only 105 hp. We had to wait until 1976 to see a V8 under its hood again, with a power of 134 hp despite its 4.9 L volume. Despite everything, 1.1 million Mustang IIs were produced in five years.

Third generation (1979 to 1993)

The third Mustang in history marks a remarkable change of direction for the pony car. The one called the Fox Mustang, in reference to the name of its platform shared with, among others, the Fairmont sedan, is the subject of a focus more on its dynamism. Under its angular design, we find varied mechanics, ranging from a 2.3 L four-cylinder naturally aspirated (88 hp) and turbocharged (132 hp) to a 3.3 L in-line six-cylinder (85 hp) and a 4.9 L V8 (140 hp). Numerous versions of the Fox Mustang were created over the years culminating in 1993 with the Cobra livery powered by a 225 hp 4.9L V8. Due to its technical simplicity and the abundance of parts available, this Mustang is still a favorite tool for drag racing enthusiasts wishing to modify their mount at low cost.

Fourth generation (1994 to 2004)

This fourth vintage of the iconic model came very close to not seeing the light of day. Due to increasingly restrictive safety standards and weak sales of the Fox Mustang, Ford's senior management considered creating a front-wheel drive Mustang, which would become the Probe. In 1989, engineer John Colleti was given the mandate to try to save the Mustang with a small team, which he – fortunately – succeeded. The Mustang therefore continues its journey for its 30^e anniversary, still on a rear-wheel drive Fox chassis, however largely reworked. Its bodywork marks a significant change in posture with a rounded modeling developed in a wind tunnel of the aircraft manufacturer Lockheed. Named SN-95 internally, it offers a standard 3.8 L V6 (145 hp) and the essential 5 L V8 (215 hp). Cobra variants will dot its route, the most notable being the one nicknamed “Terminator”, marketed from 2003 to 2004, whose 390 hp from its 4.6 L V8 supercharged by compressor were notoriously underestimated.

Fifth generation (2005 to 2014)

The fifth Mustang of the name, called S197 internally, rides the neo-retro wave of the early 2000s by adopting a number of stylistic references to the first generation. It employs a more technically refined platform, derived from that of the Lincoln LS luxury sedan (DEW98), but having undergone major modifications. Two engines are on the opening menu: a 4.0L V6 (210 hp) and a 4.6L V8 (300 hp). This generation also marks the return of the Shelby GT500 version in 2007 with its 5.4L supercharged V8 generating no less than 500 hp, which ensures an irresistible price/performance ratio.

Sixth generation (from 2015 to 2023)

The first Mustang to receive a frame used by no other model, the sixth generation of the coupe, named S550, is defined first and foremost by fundamental technical and stylistic developments. Apart from the parentheses that were certain Cobra versions, it becomes the first of the line equipped with a fully independent rear suspension, which makes its behavior more predictable. Its bodywork also abandons the neo-retro appearance of its predecessor for a more streamlined “fastback” silhouette in order to ensure its marketing in more than 100 countries. A mechanical trio shares the engine compartment: a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder (310 hp), a 3.7L V6 (300 hp) and a 5L V8 (435 hp). The Shelby GT350 made a notable return at the end of 2015 with its fiery 5.2 L naturally aspirated V8 (526 hp) with flat cranks that can climb to 8,250 rpm.

Seventh generation (2024 to present)

Currently finding itself without direct American rivals after the abandonment of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, the seventh generation of the Mustang arrives at a pivotal time when it is unveiled in September 2022. As the industry focuses its efforts on electrification, THE pony car attempts to perpetuate traditions and modernize by using the reworked chassis of its predecessor while refreshing its interior. This Mustang S650 therefore receives a 2.3 L turbocharged four-cylinder inlet (315 hp) that can only be coupled with an automatic transmission (10 speeds). A 5L V8 remains harnessed to the GT livery with 480 hp in reserve. For performance enthusiasts, the Dark Horse variant replaces the outgoing Mach 1 with its 500 hp V8 and a crazy GTD version will be revealed in August 2023 with its 800 hp and its aerodynamic treatment worthy of a racing car.

* The model years displayed do not always match the official generation production schedule.

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