Everything You Need to Know About the Ford Mustang

TGR Staff - 01/26/2023

The Ford Mustang is a sports car that was first introduced by Ford in April 1964. It was based on the Ford Falcon compact car platform but featured a longer hood, shorter deck, and more powerful engine options. The Mustang was an instant success and sold over 22,000 units on its first day of release. The first Mustang, known as the "1964½" by enthusiasts, was offered as a coupe or convertible and had a base price of around $2,300. It was powered by a variety of engines, including a 170 cubic-inch six-cylinder and a 260 cubic-inch V8. The Mustang quickly became popular among young buyers and was marketed as a "personal car," appealing to those who wanted a car that was stylish and affordable. Here is everything you need to know about the iconic Ford Mustang.

The First Generation: 

The first-generation Mustangs were available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Mach 1"  and "Boss" performance models. Engine options included a 170-200 cubic-inch six-cylinder, a 260,289, 302, and 351 cubic-inch small block V8, and from 1967 on big blocks like the 390,427,428, 351 cubic-inch V8s could be found between the shock towers. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a three or four-speed manual, a three-speed automatic, and later a four-speed automatic. From 1965-1970 the Mustang was also the platform that Carroll Shelby used to create the Shelby GT350 and GT500 sports cars which raced in SCCA and other series around the world. 

In 1971, the Mustang underwent its first major departure from the original formula of the Mustang, with a larger, heavier body and new styling. The 1971 model was also the last year for the first generation Mustang, as the second generation was introduced for the 1974 model year, the Mustang II.

Second Generation: 

The Mustang II was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "Ghia" luxury model, and the "Mach 1" performance model. Engine options included a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a 2.8-liter V6, and a 4.9-liter V8. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a four-speed manual, a three-speed automatic, and a five-speed manual.

The Mustang II was not as popular as the original Mustang, and sales were relatively low. Some enthusiasts criticized the car for its lack of power and performance, while others appreciated its smaller size and more efficient engines. Despite this, Mustang II was considered a commercial success for Ford, it helped the company to boost its sales and increase its market share during the oil crisis in the 70s.

The Mustang II is considered a significant departure from the original Mustang and a significant transition from a muscle car to a compact car. It was a product of its time, designed to meet the demands of the market for more fuel-efficient and smaller cars.

Third Generation: 

The Fox Body Mustang is the third generation of the Ford Mustang, produced from 1979 to 1993. The Fox Body Mustang was based on the Fox platform, which was also used for several other Ford vehicles, including the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. One of the most notable changes in the Fox Body Mustang was its size. The car was smaller, lighter, and more compact than the original Mustang, but slightly larger than the Mustang II.  The Fox Body Mustang also featured a more aerodynamic design, with a sloped hood, and later models featured flush headlights and were offered in a Coupe, Convertible, and Hatchback.

The Fox Body Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "GT" performance model, a four-cylinder turbocharged "SVO" model, and the "LX" luxury model. Engine options included a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, 2.3 Turbo, a 2.8 and 3.8-liter V6, and a 5.0-liter V8, which was introduced in 1982. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a four-speed manual, a five-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic. Much like Shelby did in the 1960s, racing driver and car builder Steve Saleen took the Fox Body Mustang and turned it into a world championship-winning racing car. In 1993, the last year for the Fox Body, Ford brought the Cobra back as a limited edition high-performance model which is highly coveted by collectors today. 

Fourth Generation:

The SN95 Mustang is the fourth generation of the Ford Mustang, produced from 1994 to 2004. The SN95 Mustang was based on a new platform known as the "SN-95," which was designed to improve the car's handling and performance. One of the most notable changes in the SN95 Mustang was its design. The car featured a more aggressive and aerodynamic look, with a lower hood line, and a more steeply raked windshield, borrowed from the radically different Mach 3 concept car. The SN95 Mustang also featured a more modern interior, with a revised dashboard and instrument cluster, as well as improved materials and build quality.

The SN95 Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Cobra" high-performance model. Engine options included a 3.8-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8, and a 5.4-liter V8 for the cobra models. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a five-speed manual, a four-speed, and a five-speed automatic. Saleen contained to offer street and racing packages for the SN95, and Roush also joined the tuning scene offering special edition packages sold through dealerships. Special editions like the Mach 1, Bullitt, and Boss were introduced again on the SN95 calling back to the styling cues of the original versions from the 1960s. 

Fifth Generation:

The S-197 Mustang is the fifth generation of the Ford Mustang, produced from 2005 to 2014. The S-197 Mustang was based on an all-new platform, known as the "S-197."  The car featured a more retro and refined look, that echoed the original Mustang and was offered in a coupe and convertible body style. 2005 also marked the year that Shelby began offering tuning packages for the Mustang, including the Shelby GT, GTS, GT350, GT500, and the GT500 Super Snake. 

The S-197 Mustang was available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "V6" model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Shelby GT500" high-performance model. Engine options included a 4.0-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8, and a 5.4-liter V8 for the Shelby GT500 models. The car was also available with a variety of transmission options, including a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual, and a five-speed automatic. 

Six Generation:

The S550 Mustang is the sixth generation of the Ford Mustang, produced from 2015 to the present. The S550 Mustang is on an all-new platform and features a continuation of the retro design trend that harkens back to the original design from the 1960s.

The S550 Mustang is available in several different trim levels, including the base model, the "Ecoboost" model, the "GT" performance model, and the "Shelby GT350/GT500" high-performance models. Engine options include a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, a 5.0-liter V8 for the GT models, and a 5.2-liter V8 for the Shelby GT350. The car is also available with a variety of transmission options, including a six-speed manual, a ten-speed automatic, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While some previous Shelby models were still produced and finished at Shelby American in Las Vegas, with the S550 all Shelby Mustangs were built by Ford with Shelby American's input. 

The S550 Mustang is popular among enthusiasts for its improved handling and performance, as well as its more modern and athletic design. The GT models, in particular, are well received and considered a good value for the money. The Shelby GT350/GT500 models, with their powerful V8 engines and high-performance suspension and braking systems, include the new GT500 which is the fastest production Mustang ever built.  

Mustang Mach-E:

The Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric crossover SUV produced by Ford. It was first unveiled in November 2019 and began production in late 2020. It is available in several different trims, with a range of up to 300 miles per charge and a top speed of around 90 mph. The vehicle features a sleek, modern design, with a spacious interior and advanced technology features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system and over-the-air updates. It is also available with all-wheel drive and a performance package that increases power and acceleration. The Mustang Mach-E is an important step for Ford in its transition to producing more electric vehicles.

Ford Mustang is considered one of the most iconic American muscle cars and has a huge following. The Mustang has been featured in many movies, TV shows, and music videos, and has been continuously in production since 1964 making it one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history.