1965: The Shelby GT350 is introduced, with its 289 cubic inch displacement, 306-horsepower V-8.

Transcription

1 Mustang Milestones 1960s 1962: Mustang I concept car created. Named after the famed P51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II, the two-seat, mid-engine sports car makes its debut at the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, New York Mustang 1964: Debut of the production Ford Mustang during the New York World s Fair on April 17. Launch price: $2,368. Ford expects to sell 100,000 cars the first year. Instead, 22,000 orders were taken on the first day and 417,000 Mustangs are sold in its first year. 1965: The Shelby GT350 is introduced, with its 289 cubic inch displacement, 306-horsepower V : Mustang sales pass the 1 million mark. 1967: Mustang 2+2 model gets its signature full fastback roofline. The Shelby GT500 goes on sale, powered by 428 cid, 355 horsepower V : The 302 cid V-8 replaces the 289 cid engine. The 428 Cobra Jet engine offered as an option. Steve McQueen stars in Bullitt movie, driving a Mustang GT390 fastback. 1969: Mustang s steed for every need philosophy yields 11 different powertrain combinations.

2 1970s 1970: Ram air Shaker hood scoop offered on any Mustang equipped with a 351-cid or larger engine Mustang 1971: The biggest Mustangs ever debut nearly a foot longer and some 600 pounds heavier than the original. 1972: Styling unchanged. Sprint model debuts with red, white and blue paint and pin-striping scheme. 1973: Gas shortages and emissions controls end the muscle car era. Convertible Mustang is discontinued. 1974: Completely redesigned Mustang II is introduced; it s 19 inches shorter and 490 pounds lighter. No V-8 engine is offered. 1975: V-8 returns to Mustang line but the 302 cid engine produces only 130 horsepower. 1976: Cobra II package debuts with non-functional hood scoop, racing stripes and rear spoiler. 1977: Fastback models no available with T-top removable glass roof panels. Sports Performance Package adds a 4-speed manual transmission to the 302-cid V : King Cobra model debuts. 1979: The new Fox platform Mustang debuts; it s longer and taller but 200 pounds lighter. Sleek Euro design replaces many traditional Mustang styling cues.

3 1980s 1980: The 302-cid V-8 is dropped, replaced by an economical 255-cid, 255 horsepower V Mustang 1981: Emissions controls drop the 255-cid V-8 s power to 115 horsepower; turbo 4-cylinder engine dropped. 1982: Mustang GT returns after 12-year absence. The 5.0-liter V-8 returns with 157 horsepower. Optional T-tops return. 1983: Convertible model returns after 10 years, complete with power top and tempered back glass window. Mustang GT s 5.0-liter V-8 now rated at 175 horsepower. 1984: Ford s Special Vehicle Operations creates the Mustang SVO; it sports front fascia with fog lamps, functional hood scoop and dual-wing rear spoiler. Power is from turbocharged 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower. Also available is the 20th Anniversary Edition Mustang, a special V-8 powered GT model coupe or convertible. 1985: Mustang gets revised 5.0-liter high output V-8 that makes 210 horsepower when mated to a manual transmission. New Quadra-Shock rear suspension provides better acceleration and reduced wheel hop on fast takeoffs. 1986: Mustang s V-8 trades its carburetor for sequential multi-port fuel injection. 1987: Mustang is restyled with new aero-look body. The 5.0-liter V-8 now produces 225- horsepower. 1989: For its 25th anniversary, all Mustangs produced between April 17, 1989 and April 17, 1990 get a special 25 years dash emblem.

4 1990s 1990: Mustang gets standard driver s side airbag Mustang 1991: Base Mustangs get improved 105-horsepoiwer, 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. All V-8 models now come with new, five-spoke 16-inch cast aluminum wheels. 1992: Stealthy Mustang LX 5.0 develops cult following and outsells all other models combined. Wire-style wheel covers and whitewalls disappear from options list. 1993: Ford s new Special Vehicle Team (SVT) introduces the limited-production SVT Mustang Cobra with performance and styling upgrades. Low-volume Cobra R, developed as a race car, sells out prior to production. 1994: For its 30th anniversary, Mustang is dramatically restyled to evoke its heritage. Hatchback body style is dropped, leaving the 2-door coupe and convertible. SVT Mustang Cobra launched with 240 horsepower 5.0-liter V : Final model year for the 5.0-liter V-8, which began life as the 260- and later 289 cid engine. Second SVT Mustang Cobra R introduced with 300 horsepower, 5-8-liter V-8 and fivespeed manual transmission. 1996: Mustang GTs and SVT Mustang Cobras equipped for the first time with 4.6-liter, dual overhead cam V-8, which produces 305 horsepower. 1997: Ford s Passive Anti-Theft System is standard on all models. 1998: Output of Mustang GT s 4.6-liter V-8 is upped to 225 horsepower. 1999: Redesigned Mustang debuts with sharper lines, pronounced wheel arches plus new hood, grille, fascias and lamps. SVT Mustang Cobra becomes first Mustang with fully independent rear suspension. The 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 now produces 320 horsepower.

5 2000s 2000: The third Mustang SVT Cobra R is produced in a 300-unit run. It comes with 385 horsepower, 5-4-liter DOHC V-8 mated to Mustang s first-ever 6-speed transmission Mustang 2001: Inspired by the 1968 movie, the first Mustang Bullitt GT model is offered. It has unique side scoops, 17-inch Bullitt -styled wheels and lowered and specially-tuned suspension. 2002: Mustang stands alone as production ends for its two closest competitors, the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. 2003: Mustang Mach 1 returns with 305 horsepower V-8 under a signature ram-air Shaker hood scoop. The supercharged SVT Mustang Cobra now produces 390 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. or torque. 2004: Ford produces its 300th millionth car a Mustang GT convertible 40th anniversary edition. The 2004 models are the last cars built at Ford s fabled Dearborn Assembly Plant, which has built Mustangs since the car s 1964 introduction. 2005: Production of the all-new Mustang has switched to the Flat Rock, Mich. plant. V-6 engine upped to 4.0-liters and V-8 upped to 300 horsepower. 2006: V-6 Pony Package debuts; GT models get 18-inch wheels. Owners can configure instrument panel lighting in 125 different colors, an industry-first. 2007: Special Warriors in Pink Mustang introduced to help raise funds for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer research. Vehicle lineup also includes the Mustang Shelby GT and the Shelby GT500KR. Second limited-edition Mustang Bullitt introduced in November. 2008: The 9 millionth Mustang a GT convertible is sold to an Iowa farmer. Glass roof option offered on 2009 models. All-new 2010 Mustang debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show.