The Ford Mustang has carved a long, wide, and deep niche for itself in automotive history. The many sizes, shapes and performance specs that evolved from the first “pony car” have not only reflected the trends, tastes and the social climate of the times, but the Mustang has also helped shape the automotive world. Ford engineers led by Lee Iacocca responded to the youth market by tooling a small, economical and sporty car that would appeal to a wide swath of car aficionados.

    The other cars that fell into the “pony car” category were the Plymouth Barracuda, Pontiac Firebird, AMC Javelin, and Mercury Cougar. None merited the response that the Mustang did with one million units sold in just the first eighteen months of production.

    The inaugural version of the Mustang, an offshoot of the Ford Falcon, was lightweight and offered both 6-cylinder or V8 engines, and numerous options with which to customize the vehicle. Owners loved the long hood, shortened deck and sporty look. To fill out its stable of convertible and coupe, a fastback Mustang 2+2 was introduced later in 1964. Performance was also enhanced with the introduction of the more powerful 289 V8 engine.

     A major redesign went into the 1967 model, with a more aggressive grille, concave rear panel, and a heftier overall look. Ford was no longer the only pony out there, with the Barracuda, Cougar, and Firebird beginning to crowd the field.

    1968 saw continued definition of the Mustang identity as a muscle car with the advent of two- and four-barrel 289 cubic-inch engines and a special version Shelby 350GT whose 289 was boosted to 306 hp. That year also brought a few 427 big blocks into the mix, and the 410 hp 428 Cobra Jet. Compression ratios, horsepower, engine sizes and fuel consumption continued to rise until 1973.

     To further appease the power-hungry public, 1969 brought the unveiling of the “Mach I” which was a fastback 2+2 version with a 428 engine topping its power plant arsenal, as well as the “Boss 302” and “Boss 429.” This was accompanied by a larger size and further departing from recognized Mustang esthetics.

     1973 became a notable year for Mustang because of the emission and safety standards imposed on the automobile industry by the US government. At this time, the Mustang was forced to drop its most powerful engines and decreased the power ratings on those that remained.

     1974 marked an attempt by Ford to recapture the sporty feel of the 1964 model with the Mustang II, with a body based on the Pinto chassis. The aspirations of Ford’s Lee Iacocca            was to create a nimble, European-influenced, sporty car which would launch the car maker back into the positive sales. Being disappointingly underpowered and suffering from poor weight distribution, the Mustang II did not connect with the automotive public. Its only salvation was the fact that it did garner points for cars with best fuel economy during the gasoline crisis of that era.

    As concerns about fuel economy began to subside, Ford supersized the 1979 Mustang; both in interior room and cargo space, and a hatchback version was introduced as well.

    1980 saw the use of the “Fox” platform for the Mustang, which would be its foundation from then until the present. However, the 1983 Ford Mustang is the model that made headlines when the maker released a convertible version.  However, major changes were not introduced again until the 1993 model was available in the powerful "Cobra" trim level. 

    Ford modernized the Mustang with curved lines and a more aerodynamic design earning the Mustang "Car of the Year" from Motor Trend Magazine in 1994.  The engine was simplified as well with the introduction of a 3.8L V6 that produced a meager 145 horsepower.  Though the model still caught buyers' attention, it was overshadowed by a new crop of faster, more stylish American and imported sports cars.

    Nevertheless, Ford regained its top standing when the 2005 model showed up on sales lots.  With a more muscular, retro-inspired design, the Mustang was turning heads again.  A powerful 4.0L SOHC Ford Cologne V6 was introduced for the 2005 model year as well, and the standard five-speed manual transmission harkened back to the days when control was more important than convenience. This era sees the continued restoration of Mustang’s proud performance legacy in which the 2009 Ford Mustang celebrates its 45^th year in production, and preserves the true spirit of the original pony car.