The History of the Ford Mustang 1964 1/2 to 1966

1964½-1973 | 1974-1978 | 1979-1993 | 1994-2004 | 2005+

1964 ½ - 1968

It would appear everyone has a favorite when it comes to the Ford Mustang. It all started back in 1964 with 1964 ½ Ford Mustang. It was an instant hit from that day forward. Since then, there have been many generations that have caught the heart of America and the whole world.

In 1962 Ford unveiled the new Mustang one prototype. The 1962 Mustang I prototype was unveiled at the US Grand Prix where Dan gurney drove the car around the track at speed. Two and half years later in April 1964 the 1964 ½ was unveiled, and started history off as the original pony car.

The first-generation Ford Mustang went from 19 64 1/2 to 1968 and was designed and built using the existing smaller Ford falcon chassis and came equipped with all the Ford falcon suspension components including four-wheel from breaks a softer springs at all four corners.

The 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang came equipped with either a 170 cubic in six-cylinder engine or a potent 260 cubic inch V-8. In 1965 and these two versions were replaced with the 200 in.³ V6 and a 289 in.³ V-8 featuring a two barrel carburetor. At that time there was a GT package that included two versions of the potent 289 cubic inch V-8 generating a whopping 271 hp. Not only were the GT package cars quicker they also supported a sport tuned suspension with tighter springs for better handling characteristics.

In 1965 Carroll Shelby introduced the Ford Mustang GT 350. Carroll Shelby put all his racing knowledge into these new Ford Mustang GT 350s in each of the Ford Mustang GT 350s were built in Carroll Shelby's own shop and it showed, as these earlier cars were more like race cars in the following years. Not only were the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350s great handlers and a also packed a potent punch and came equipped with a 306 hipo V8. The years following all the Ford Mustang GT 350s were built in-house at the Ford plant and as a result picked up better street manners and lost little bit of its edginess making for more compliant ride. Although Ford took over building the Shelby GT 350s in-house the horsepower remained the same and built up through the years, with a 400 hp supercharged version emerging in 1966.

The first Ford Mustangs with the V8's pack a healthy punch. The 271 hp-oh Ford Mustang when the quarter-mile in approximately 15 seconds and the boss 302 was a second quicker running in the mid-14s in the quarter-mile. Although these times may meet may not be the quickest at today's standards back then the Ford Mustang was a forced to be reckoned with.

Pricing at the time was a relative bargain for such a great performing sports car as the Mustang was. The base price for the V-6 model was in the $2300 range it for about $1000 more could have been upgraded to a GT with the 271 hp engine package in GT inspired handling suspension package. And for about $4500 you could drive off in your brand-new Shelby GT 350.

1964½-1966 - The Begining. Where it all started.

1974-1978

1979-1993

1994-2004

2005+