The year was 1964. The place was the World’s fair in New York City. Across the way, people were loading into small boats and floating through an attraction in the Pepsi Pavilion which was designed by Walt Disney. However our attention on this April day was on a new car being introduced by Ford Motor Company. Its name was the Ford Mustang. Now forty-five years latter, both attractions are alive and doing well. After the fair, Disney moved his attraction to his ten year old Disneyland. Ford got busy producing more Mustangs.

Ford did not expect the Mustang to be so popular. Overnight, over 2500 newspapers presented positive reviews of the vehicle. Sales took off like a rocket. Only Ford’s first Model “A” has ever exceeded initial sales. At Ford dealers across the nation people lined up to pay out $2368 in order to own a ford Mustang. In order to keep prices low, Ford had borrowed parts from other cars already in production, notably the Falcon and Fairlane. The Falcon parts were used the most. The framework as well as the 100 horsepower motor came from this car. Even the first Mustang horn ring had the Falcon symbol molded into its lower edge. Ford set VIN numbers to 1965, although collectors now refer to these first Mustangs as 1964 1/2. A 1964 1/2 Mustang currently has an appraised value of over thirty thousand dollars.

The body of the Stang has changed over the years but even a 2010 Mustang has features that tie it to that first Mustang. The grill and side door swoop make the car unmistakable as a Mustang.

The success of the Mustang lead other manufacturers to quickly introduce their own “pony cars.” These vehicles had large hoods and small trunk decks.

In 1960, Ford had introduced the Falcon as a compact car. Market research had shown that women of the day found many of the full size cars to have become too large. The Mustang was introduced to appeal to both men and women. The introduction of the Mustang in 1964 and its popularity is ultimately credited with the discontinuing of the Falcon in 1970.

In the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, the models became progressively larger. In response to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II was severely underpowered.

Fans of the original Mustang complained and in 1984, Ford listened and produced the Mustang II. The Mustang II was smaller than the Mustang introduced at the World’s Fair, but due to new federal regulations on air pollution actually weighed more than the original. Ford had included a smaller engine resulting in an underpowered car.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

The new Mustang, like it predecessors, is expected to be a great seller for Ford.