Ford Mustang celebrates 45th anniversary
March 19, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The Mustang Story: Generation One (1964-1974)
1964 Ford Mustang Convertible
A number of pony cars have galloped in and out of the American automotive scene throughout the past four and a half decades, but none have enjoyed the lasting appeal of Mustang.
And none have inspired the same degree of passion among car owners. Even CarAdvice’s own team members have felt that pony lure with our recent AutoRoute trip to the US.
On Friday, April 17, 2009, Ford and the Mustang Club of America will commemorate the 45th anniversary of an American icon – the Ford Mustang – with a four-day celebration in Birmingham, Alabama.
During the four weeks leading up to the Mustang’s 45th anniversary, Ford will take a nostalgic look back at five historic generations of its longest-running nameplate, beginning with the early years, 1964 to 1974.
Flash back to the spring of 1964. The mood of the country is still sullen, following the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. Lyndon B. Johnson is leading the nation forward as president of the United States.
“Beatlemania” is sweeping the country, with hits like “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” at the top of the Billboard charts.
The price of gas is 30 cents a gallon, and it costs 5 cents to buy a postage stamp. “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Bonanza” and the “Dick Van Dyke Show” are among the most popular shows on television, and “From Russia with Love,” starring Sean Connery as James Bond, is playing at U.S. theaters.
Advertisment for 1964 Mustang Convertible
On April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang, with its long hood, short rear deck and sporty features, caused a sensation when it was introduced to the public at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
“When the Mustang was unveiled, the reaction was so positive that there was no doubt it was going to be a success,” recalls Joe Oros, chief designer of Ford’s original pony car – dubbed the 1964½ because it was launched at an unusual halfway point in the year.
1965 Mustang Fastback
Don Frey, product planning manager for the original Ford Mustang, says he knew the car was going to be a hit months earlier when the design team gave Ford employees a sneak peek at one of the prototypes.
“We built the first prototype in an experimental garage, and employees flooded the place to see it,” he said. “Their reaction was spectacular, and it was very revealing to us. We knew the car was going to be roaring success from the start.” And what a success it was.
Ad for 1964 Mustang V8 Convertible
The 1964½ Mustang debuted at a price of $2,368 – a bargain even in 1964. Ford expected annual sales of about 100,000 units. But 22,000 Mustang orders were taken on the first day, and sales reached an astounding 417,000 in the car’s first 12 months on the market. Within two years, Mustang sales reached one million.
Frey says he believes the car had such dramatic appeal because the styling was very unusual for its day.
“The design was very European, particularly the front end,” Frey said. “There was no other car like it in North America at that time.”
Another facet of Mustang’s appeal was that it could be any vehicle the customer wanted it to be. The original Mustangs were available in three body styles – convertible, hardtop or fastback – with the most extensive list of options Detroit had ever offered. The Ford Mustang could be aneconomical “base” car, a macho high-performance car or a luxury car.
1965 Mustang Indy Pace Car
“Mustang was designed to be designed by you,” one of the original print ads declared. And it was true. Everyone who owned a Mustang believed no one else had a vehicle like theirs, and the vehicle had broad appeal.
“We were told to design a car that the ladies would love that the men would love just as much, and that’s exactly what we did,” said Oros.
Marketing studies conducted at the time showed that women bought as many Mustangs as men.
1965 Mustang Shelby GT350
“They loved the styling, and the car was very affordable,” said Frey. “Women bought it by the thousands.”
Frey, now 86, is the proud owner of one of the original Mustangs – built in June of 1964. It’s a red hard top with a white interior, and he keeps it parked in his home garage.
“I have a driver who comes by, and we take it out,” he said. “To this day, people stop us and ask if it’s an original Mustang.”
At age 92, Oros says he’s still as passionate about the Mustang as he was 45 years ago.
1965 Mustang Fastback retro fit with Cammer engine
“He wants me to stop in the middle of the freeway whenever he sees a Mustang, and I tell him that we can’t do that,” said Oros’ driver and caregiver Violeta Orlanda. “When we do stop somewhere, he searches the parking lot to find the Mustangs, and he insists on checking them all out in detail from front to back.”
Oros says his fascination and fondness for the pony car he helped create will never end.
“It makes me feel proud every time I see one,” explained Oros. “After all of these years, Mustang has never lost its luster.”
Frey is equally as proud.
“We created an icon,” he said. “And I had a hand in it.”
Next week we feature Generation Two. CarAdvice wishes to thank Ford Media US for use of text and images.
Print it: 
Definitely desireable. Esp the most recent incarnation.
Speaking for myself, it doesn’t matter which side of the GM/Ford fence you’re from, the Mustang is just one of those cars you fall in love with.
Happy Birthday Stang. Matt I think if your a Muscle Car fan you appreciate any model . Who wouldnt cross the road to look at that “1965 Mustang Fastback retro fit with Cammer engine” or a 69 Boss 429 and even todays GT500s still have that great Muscle Car look and performance too boot !
Long may the king reign.
I still lust after an original 64.5 convertible with the 289. OMG what a car…
Hey Imugli a mate of mine in Tassie has one of those ,red of course. My girlfriend owns a 66 GT Fastback………mint also red ! Cools cars…………..
Why are late 70s “Mustang IIs” so rare in Australia? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. I think they’re gorgeous. The worst Mustangs of all were the 1979-1986 models – those horrid sealed-beam US headlights, poor Ford build quality at the time…. underpowered engines. When the ‘87 model arrived with it’s “aero” headlights, it was a big improvement, at least styling wise. I remember living in the US when the all-new ‘94 model came out. It was a HUGE deal because it was the first all-new Mustang in 15 years. Within a year – they were everywhere. Every high school kid wanted one and if they had generous enough parents, they got one. The ‘99 model I did not like at first, with it’s edgy styling, but it grew on me. The current 2004 model doesn’t do much for me, though. The ‘inner’ headlights on the V8 model look tacky, as does the rear ‘quarter window’ done in the 1970s style. Not for me. Challenger is the best-looking 21st century muscle car by far.
Not sure Mark ,personally I didnt like the 70s stuff they gradually got uglier and Uglier through the 80s ,then what didnt out of the US . Not their best period for design ,nor ours for that matter.
Challenger would be my pick too,even over the Camaro ,tough looking car !
The US had some good car designs in the 80s: 1982 Camaro, 1984 Corvette. From Ford there was the ‘86 Taurus, and ‘89 Thunderbird. SUVs and trucks: 1984 Jeep Cherokee, and 1980 Ford F-series – both classic designs that lasted 17 years each. 1988 Chevy/GMC pickups. And lastly, Chrysler introduced the minivan in 1983, a vehicle quite ahead of its time.
When I was a young boy many years ago I remember playing with a toy Ford Mustang car (cant remember which model ?) & to this day I still think this is one of the best designed cars of all time. This car is truely a cult classic & will always remain an icon in my mind.
Cheers !
most of my all time favorite cars are Mustangs…
The 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
The 1967 Shelby GT500
The (?) Ford 429 Boss Mustang
The 1999 Mustang Cobra R
and the New Gen GT500 / KR / Super Snake (541Kw one)
I think it’s sad that Australia missed out on the Mustang in the 1960s, and then the Camaro. It would have really sucked to be an Aussie teen in the 1960s.. such a limited choice.
A few weeks ago I was married (no more condolences please!) and I was fortunate enough to have as wedding cars the following;
1. 1968 Original Shelby GT500KR Fastback (green with 428)
2. 1970 Mach 1 Fastback (Candy Apple with 351)
3. 1967 Fastback GT (Gold w/black stripes)
4. 1964 and a half convertible having had a full bare metal restoration including white electric soft top, white interior and pink metallic color scheme. I know a pink Mussie sounds odd but this car is an absolute head turner and will be featured on the cover of Streetmachine in the coming months.
I know my life is now effectively over and I’ve just started a life sentence but let me tell you being in and out of those superb cars all day made it all worthwhile, and was absolutely the highlight of the day.
Sorry honey…
Yeh great cars lots fun to drive there not very refined but thats half the fun pushing one of these around, we go for cruzes though town every now and then in my cussins black 428 cobra jet ,The whole car just rocks from side to side as well as the shaker when sitting at the lights the looks we get are amazzing
hahaha Topdog………….your sooooooooooooooooo right !
Blurp Blurp Blurp………..and no thats not with the choke pulled out hehehe
Good times !
Awesome wedding cars and suitable finale.LOL
The late ’60s fastback Mustangs are my favorite.