It’s the Ford Mustang. Making its debut on April 17, 1964, this car was sporty and European looking, and it was affordable. For just over $2,000, you could buy a bare-bones model. By paying a little more, you could add options such as a radio, power steering or air conditioning. On that spring day, dealers nationwide took orders for Mustangs in colors from Twilight Turquoise to the super-popular Rangoon Red.
One year later, sales reached 417,000, more than quadruple Ford’s expectation. Within two years, sales topped 1 million.
My husband and I were aware of the Mustang in 1964. It represented doing fun things, creating great memories, and it exemplified freedom and optimism. But we drove a Chevrolet station wagon – necessary for transporting three little girls, my parents and various pets. Our workhorse Chevy made countless trips to schools, grocery stores and Ruidoso, NM.
Today, fifty years after its first appearance, 9 million Mustangs have been sold. More significantly, the Pony Car has maintained a firm grip on car lovers’ hearts. The Mustang has more than 5.5 million Facebook fans, and has long affirmed its place in pop culture in hundreds of songs beginning with the 1966 hit “Mustang Sally.”
The Pony has appeared in over 3,000 TV shows and movies, from the original white convertible in the 1964 James Bond movie, Goldfinger, to the blue and white striped 2015 model in the new film Need for Speed.
From 60s convertibles with long, sweeping hoods and sharp, sculpted flanks, to current models with 400 or more horsepower, the Mustang is a car that inspires something in everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment