Being one of Ford’s most iconic cars for more than 50 years, the Ford Mustang has been redesigned from an economical four cylinder to a V8 powerplant.
Named after the P-51 fighter plane, the Mustang is credited for inspiring a new breed of cars, most commonly known as “Muscle Cars”. The Muscle cars have a very simple equation for what makes this genre of automobile so popular: big car plus big power equals big fun; the Mustang embodies this.
For many years, the Mustang has been a teenage boy’s dream car. Being that Ford wanted the Mustang to be an affordable car that any family in America could own, this teenage boy’s dream often became a reality. Young drivers take to the road to meet with other enthusiasts with their Camaros, Firebirds, and Barracudas to compare cars - and of course, to see who’s the fastest kid on the block.
Ford cars are known for their racing pedigree, and the Mustang is no exception. Designed from Ford's already iconic Falcon, winner of several Australian Touring Car Championships, the Ford Mustang was built to go fast, giving other Muscle cars a run for their money.
Since the Mustang’s debut in 1965, it has won many awards including the Tiffany Gold Medal for excellence in American design, making it the first automobile to ever win this award. In its more than 50 years of production, the Mustang has undergone multiple redesigns and changed its platform several times. The Mustang has never had a “revival”, it is the only Muscle car that has had a continuous production since it was first debuted. Not only has the Mustang won the Motor Trend Car of the year award twice and a spot on the Car and Driver Best Ten several times, it is more commonly known for its wins on the track. It has been a top competitor in almost every race event - from stock and touring car races, and even drifting events. The Mustang has consistently won these competitions both in America and internationally.
From its rich racing history to its ability to outperform and adapt in any event you throw it in, the lasting appeal of the Ford Mustang will live on. Whether you love the Mustang or not, it continues to reinvent itself and holds its place in American automotive history.
-Gabriel E. Cortes