Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang 1964: origins

April 17th 1964 mark a turning in the history of Automobile industry : this day there, Ford , second world manufacturer, presents to the world fair New York its Mustang . Ford to some extent reinvented the car for young American exit of the baby-boom of the second world war and blasé by the large heavy and massive cases, by putting on wheels the concept of " Pony-car". More small car of which the length of the cap is equal to the cockpit and ends in a small trunk. The first models empreintent many parts in Ford Falcon. Mustang is equipped with V8 4,7 liters (289 Ci) or of one 6 on line, it is also filled with chromium, which returns it more atrayante near the young people. All Mustangs are half-compartments two doors with the half-compartment hardware signal (traditional), the fast back (the rear windows being prolonged to the trunk, sporting) and the convertible. It is in conccurence with the Plymouth Barracuda which will not have the success of Mustang.

History

Contrary to the lines Kitsch of the Edsel, Mustang was polished by Lee Iacocca with a dynamic image and a very broad range. It likes much the the United States where the quality of the handling has only one importance secondary but not in Europe.

Model of 1964 1/2 to 1966

To answer waitings of the American youth which awaited a car with its image, Ford Mustang started its career. A true myth had been born, with a connected look, a good-natured V8 of 4,7 liters (210 ch) and a price of $2750 for its version Cabriolet. In its basic version, it was equipped with one 6 cylinders on line of 2,8 liters developing 101 ch. Le V8 could be modified and go until 270 ch in its version " Hi-Po" , or also known by the amateurs by the famous " code K".

Three models of body were available, convertible (=cabriolet), fastback (=toit " plongeant" , regarded as most elegant), and crossed.

Until 1966, very few changes appeared. To note as of 1965 versions prepared by Carroll Shelby (WP 350).

1967 - 1968

Small Mustang (with the American direction) did not cease changing year forms by year, it took volume, as well at the level body as driving. To each year some rare versions prepared by Shelby, the WP 500 correspond KR of 1968 in particular.

In 1966 the enemy one is launched sworn of Mustang: the Chevrolet Camaro (in a press conference, one will even say that Camaro (although randomly taken by group GM in the French dictionary (of " Camarade" , include/understand…)) is " a vicious animal eater of Mustang"). A war starts, of which one will be able to never declare the winner besides… For the year 1967, Ford prepares its answer. This year will mark a rupture with the precedents. The mustang 67 ' is " body-buildée". Although the general pace remains the same one, one notes an increase in aggressiveness and sportivity (calenders larger, less soft glance, increased size…), and grace in particular to the appearance of V8 390ci (" cubic inch": the cubic capacity in inch ³) of 320 horses, one of these " big block" , to compete with the 396ci of the Chevrolet. 390 offer of good acceleration but sorrow to take mode, fraughter with 100 kilos compared to the 289ci, but it is all the same a success, because sold less expensive than this last…

During this Shelby time aligns themselves and will constitute a small range, always aligned on the Ford bases: WP 350, GT500 (as from 1967) equipped with V8 428ci Police Interceptor of 355 horses… then in 1968 appears the 428 Cobra Jet, the GT500 with this engine is called GT500 KR (King off Road: " king of the route").

Regarded as a model of anthology and one of most famous (thanks to the film " Bullit" , " 60 seconds chrono" in particular), years 1967-68 however present an erosion of sales…

Model of 1969

Year of transition between two models from body from the first generation from Mustang, but also between Mustang PonyCar and Mustang MuscleCar.

If the half-compartments and convertibles undergo only few modifications, with a false air intake directed towards the back and a more aggressive pace, it is the fastback, from now on named SportsRoof, which is modified the most:

Lower, line tended with a roof increasingly reducing, reduced air intakes taking seat in front of the wings on the level of the belt of case (according to the completions). This type of body precedes that of the second large esthetic evolution of Mustang, and will be used for the Mach1 versions.

Characteristics common to both alternatives of body:

the grill, which sees disappearing the corral (replaced by a logo of the type of that present on the wings before the previous years). Front lights are for the first time 4, including two in the grid, fires in tip of wings are moved back than the previous years.
the back panel, slightly curved, is inclined forwards, with fires with the relief more marked.

Model of 1970

Generalization of the SportsRoof base of the previous year for the three types of body, with complete disappearance of the " catches of air" side.

The most obvious modification is at the level of the grill, whose fires give an opinion in the grill now, of false air intakes replacing there at the tips of wings. The back panel has recessed rear lights and becomes flat.

The range is composed of six models: Half-compartment, Grandé (completion “luxates”), SportsRoof, Mach1, Cabriolet and Boss 302.

1971-1973

Last modifications of this series, with a new grill, more aggressive. The main-beam headlamps take again their position in end external of grill, additional fires are positioned horizontally in 1971 and 1972, and the rear lights take a trapezoidal form on a quasi vertical support.

In 1973, the additional headlights are in driving position, the bumper before is done more prominent.

The roof of SportsRoof is tightened even more towards the horizontal one (effect especially due to a thickening of the back of the car).

Five models are always available:

Of sporting but wise pace, the Half-compartment, provided basic with one six cylinders, is addressed to the average American family.
the Convertible, for those which like to roll hair to the wind.
an air race, but provided basic with the six cylinders for the version SportsRoof
luxurious Version of the Half-compartment, Grandé is distinguished, amongst other things, by its roof vinyl.
And finally, “The Driving Machine”, Mach1.

1974 - 1978

The misunderstood one, here how to name this Mustang of which some are diverted completely. Based on the platform of the Pinto and very beautiful European the Capri, these models were been driven by Ford-Germany engines; this because of the famous Oil crisis which forced the persons in charge of Ford to find very quickly small engines more economic.

One 4 cylinders of 2.3l and optional V6 of 2.8l equipped this not very powerful car. As of 1975 it will be re-equipped of V8 of 5.0l developing approximately 130 ch. Un kit body for the version fastback is available as of this year. Under the name of Cobra II this one includes/understands double lines going of the cap to the trunk, of the edge lines " II" COBRA; ; without forgetting a spoiler in 3 parts with the back, and a factitious air intake on the cap directed either against the front one, or against the back.

Finally, to start again the sales after a few years, the Mustang II will be equipped with an engine more powerful V8 5.0l and with a more massive kit (spoiler under the Pare-chocs) which will be worth to him the name of King Cobra, with transfers in particular enormous a Cobra on the cap. For the anecdote, once the opening cap, if one looks at this cobra since the back (with back) one sees there a head of Lion.

In spite of the intolerance of some, Mustang II fact well part of the history of Mustang.

1979 - 1993

Very square, very 80 ' S these Mustang had a great success, in spite of their design which badly aged. In 1979, an special edition " Pace Car" was born. It was a counterpart of Pace Because of Indianapolis in 1979.

1994 - 2003

Mustang will keep modern and round, but a little anonymous lines while waiting for the release of the new version 2005. Let us note the Saleen preparer, who will have taken over with Shelby for the models of the Années 1980 and 1990.

Ford Mustang 2005: the return to the sources

Although declined in version WP, GTR and even Shelby, Mustangs post 68 were pasted, embourgeoisées… One does not recognize any more the original model of Lee Iacocca. Nevertheless, in its fatherland, Mustang remains a true institution and one does not count any more the clubs, sites… which are devoted to him.

This said, Mustang 2005 (produced since September 2004), relookées in a fluid style but near of the origin (1966-67), quickly became gravitational for the new generations. They found what made their success of antan, large strong engine couples some, rigid back bridge and line without similar. Success in the United States of this new model is quite present, that it is in the initial version with V6 of 210 horses or V8 of 300 horses.

A version Shelby WP 500 with an engine 5,4 liters, 32 valves with compressor of 500 horses appeared in 2006.

Perhaps the passion persists because since 1964, Mustang remains sporting the good market and thus general public of reference. Moreover, it remains, by the force of the things, the last representing of the gonflettes types, since all the others disappeared (Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Trans Am…).

Ford Mustang Saleen is incarnated by a robot Decepticons called Barricade in the film Transformers in 2007.

Data sheet (given manufacturer)

N.B.: in Europe, as in North America, because of the shift between the calendar year and the automobile year, models 2005 are available at the end of 2004.

Price in the United States: approximately 25 000 euros (not imported into Europe)
Driving:

V8 Ford of 4,6 L, 24 Soupape S, 2 camshafts at the head + VCT (Variable Camwood Timing, food: electronic injection, power: 300 ch, maximum couple: 434 Nm with 4 500 tr/min
V6 Ford of 4,0 L, 12 valves, camshaft at the head (SOHC), food: electronic injection, power: 210 CV, maximum couple: 325 Nm with 3 500 tr/min

Transmission: AR + TCS, Gear box: manual 5 reports/ratios or automatic 5 reports/ratios in option
Weight: 1 580 kg; weight ratio/power in kg/ch DIN: 5,26 (V8)
Brake S: 4 ventilated discs; Tire S: AV and AR 235/55 ZR 17 (V8 WP), 215/60 R 16 (V6)
Performances (maximum speed):

V8 WP : 250 km/h; 0 to 100 km/h: 4,9 S
V6 : 190 km/h (limited electronically); 0 to 100 km/h: 7,2 S

average Consumption: 12 l/100 km.

External bonds

Official site of Ford Mustang
Principal importer Ford Mustang in France

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