First-generation Ford Mustang

Mustang first generation
1965 Ford Mustang
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	March 1964–June 1973
Model years	1965–1973
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan San Jose, California Metuchen, New Jersey Valencia, Venezuela Mexico City, Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Pony car
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door fastback/sportsroof 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Falcon Mercury Cougar Mercury Comet Ford Ranchero
Chronology
Successor	Ford Mustang II

Mustang 1964–1966
1966 Ford Mustang
Overview
Production	March 1964–July 1964 (1964½ series) August 1964-July 1965 (1965 series) August 1965-July 1966 (1966 series)
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan San Jose, California Metuchen, New Jersey Valencia, Venezuela Mexico City, Mexico
Designer	Joe Oros David Ash Gale Haldeman Charlie Phaneuf (fastback) Philip T. Clark (Mustang I concept) John Najjar (Mustang I concept)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door fastback 2-door convertible
Related	1965–1966 Shelby Mustang G.T.350
Powertrain
Engine	170 cu in (2.8 L) Thriftpower I6 200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 260 cu in (4.3 L) Windsor V8 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor HiPo V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm)
Length	181.6 in (4,613 mm)
Width	68.2 in (1,732 mm)
Height	51.2 in (1,300 mm)
Curb weight	2,445 lb (1,109 kg) (base)

Mustang 1967–1968
1968 Ford Mustang
Overview
Production	August 1966–August 1968
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan San Jose, California Metuchen, New Jersey Valencia, Venezuela Mexico City, Mexico Lima, Peru
Designer	Ross Humphries (1965)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door fastback 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 260 cu in (4.3 L) Windsor V8 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor HiPo V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 427 cu in (7.0 L) FE HiPo* V8 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm)
Length	183.6 in (4,663 mm)
Width	70.9 in (1,801 mm)
Height	51.6 in (1,311 mm)
Curb weight	2,758 lb (1,251 kg) (base)

Mustang 1969–1970
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Overview
Production	July 1968–June 1970
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan Milpitas, California Metuchen, New Jersey Valencia, Venezuela Mexico City, Mexico
Designer	Gale Halderman (1966)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door fastback 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	200 cu in (3.3 L) Thriftpower I6 250 cu in (4.1 L) Thriftpower I6 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) Boss V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Cleveland V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet & Super Cobra Jet V8 429 cu in (7.0 L) Boss V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108 in (2,743 mm)
Length	187.5 in (4,762 mm)
Width	71.7 in (1,821 mm)
Height	50.5 in (1,283 mm)
Curb weight	3,122 lb (1,416 kg) (base)

Mustang 1971–1973
1972 Ford Mustang
Overview
Production	1970–1973
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan San Jose, California Metuchen, New Jersey Valencia, Venezuela Mexico City, Mexico
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 2-door sportsroof 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	250 cu in (4.1 L) Thriftpower I6 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Cleveland V8 429 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet & Super Cobra Jet V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	109 in (2,769 mm)
Length	189.5 in (4,813 mm)
Width	74.1 in (1,882 mm)
Height	50.1 in (1,273 mm)
Curb weight	3,560 lb (1,615 kg)

The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobile known as the pony car. The Mustang’s styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition.

It was initially introduced as a hardtop and convertible with the fastback version put on sale in August 1964. At the time of its introduction, the Mustang, sharing its underpinnings with the Falcon, was slotted into a compact car segment.

With each revision, the Mustang saw an increase in overall dimensions and in engine power. The 1971 model saw a drastic redesign to its predecessors. After an initial surge, sales were steadily declining, as Ford began working on a new generation Mustang. With the onset of the 1973 oil crisis, Ford was prepared, having already designed the smaller Mustang II for the 1974 model year. This new car had no common components with preceding models.

As Lee Iacocca's assistant general manager and chief engineer, Donald N. Frey was the head engineer for the Mustang project — supervising the development of the Mustang in a record 18 months from September 1962 to March 1964. — while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager.

Drawing on inspiration from the mid-engined Ford Mustang I concept vehicle, Lee Iacocca ordered development of a new "small car" to vice-president of design at Ford, Eugene Bordinat. Bordinat tasked Ford's three design studios (Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and Advanced Design) to create proposals for the new vehicle.

The design teams had been given five goals for the design of the Mustang: It would seat four, have bucket seats and a floor mounted shifter, weigh no more than 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg) and be no more than 180 inches (4,572 mm) in length, sell for less than $2,500, and have multiple power, comfort, and luxury options.

The Lincoln–Mercury design studio ultimately produced the winning design in the intramural contest, under Project Design Chief Joe Oros and his team of L. David Ash, Gale Halderman, and John Foster.