History of the Ford Mustang
History of the Ford Mustang
Since its introduction in the 1960s, the Ford Mustang has been a refined model representing a new class of automobiles dubbed as Pony cars. With its long hood, short deck and sporty style, it was a muscular and stylish car that appealed to everyone. Originally, it was designed to compete with the Chevrolet Corvair but it was destined to create its own history.
The First Generation
From 1965 to 1973, the first generation Ford Mustang was built on the same platform with small changes introduced every year. The company made a major upgrade to this car in 1967 with its all-new 6.4-liter V8 engine emanating 390 hp. This car had a stylish grille design, dual exhaust, concave taillights and improved suspension. In 1971, Ford launched a Mustang with the longest body design as well as additional features for emission control.
The Second Generation
During the era of 1974 to 1978, Ford launched a new Mustang that was based on a subcompact platform. It was given the name of Mustang II. During these years, demands were rising for fuel-efficient cars with smaller models. The Mustang II managed to deliver the expected performance and features which resulted in high sales. Basically, the second generation cars were designed as coupe or hatchback with a four-cylinder 140 cubic inch engine.
The Third Generation
The Mustangs that were launched during 1979 to 1993 were based on a Fox platform. These cars were designed to improve the features of the Mustang II. Initially, the same engines were used. However, in the 1982 model, Ford upgraded the engines and in 1984, it launched the Mustang SVO with a power-packed 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine along with high-quality suspension, brakes and rear spoilers. An aerodynamic design was introduced with the 1987 models and airbags were added to models that launched in 1990 and beyond.
The Fourth Generation
From 1994 to 2004, Ford manufactured the fourth generation Mustangs with a high-performance engine and impressive styling. Named as SN-95, this model was integrated with a 3.8-liter V6 engine and remarkable suspension. This model was redesigned in 1999 to give an edge to the styling peculiar to Mustangs. There were larger wheel arches, sharp contours and a sleek body shape in the subsequent models. In the 2004 model, the company upgraded the engine to a 5.0-liter V8 format.
The Fifth Generation
The models from 2005 to 2014 were built on a brand-new platform. They were called S-197 and were designed with an improved quality. These models were powered by a 4.0-liter V6 overhead cam engine with an automatic five-speed transmission. In 2010, the company introduced an improved version of the S-197 with a 3.7-liter Duratec37 V6 engine along with an automatic six-speed transmission.
The Sixth Generation
In 2015, Ford celebrated its 50th anniversary with the beginning of the sixth generation Mustang. With this launch, the Mustang became one of the longest manufactured cars that have been consistently under production. This all-new model was launched with remarkable features like independent rear suspension and a four-cylinder Ecoboost engine. This was a limited edition model and the subsequent Mustangs were also launched with few changes.
In 2018 and beyond, the company is expected to add a refreshing upgrade to the sixth generation models that will continue until 2020.
