The Evolution of Mustang Generations

The Ford Mustang is an iconic car with an over 60-year history, and it keeps evolving to get better and better. It has had a huge impact on car culture and remains a beloved car. Let us take you through the Mustang generations, innovations and special editions, as well as how they compare to competitors in different eras.

Introduction to the Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been in continuous production since 1964. It was originally predicted that 100,000 cars would be sold per year, but in its first year, it sold 400,000 units! It is still just as popular and is now in its sixth generation. In fact, the one-millionth Mustang was sold in less than two years since its launch date, and the 10-millionth Mustang was sold in August 2018.

Over the years, the instantly recognizable short deck and long hood design of the Ford Mustang has influenced many competitors including the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda.

Between 1965 and 2004, the Mustang’s chassis had a rear-wheel-drive like other Ford models. However, the subsequent generations saw modifications that included longer-wheelbases.

The Mustang name is credited as being the idea of designer John Najjar, who was a fan of the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane. Najjar co-designed the first Mustang prototype with Philip T. Clark, which was known as the Ford Mustang I. It debuted at the US Grand Prix in New York in October 1962. However, the origins of the name are disputed, with some suggesting that Ford Division market research manager Robert J. Eggert suggested it after receiving a book on racehorses called The Mustangs.

When the Mustang first came onto the market in Germany, they were sold as “T-5s” until December 1978, as a company called Krupp was selling trucks with that name and Ford didn’t want to pay for the name. Mustangs remain a popular choice because of their affordability and sleek design. Each generation has also improved with new features and interior design details to keep them looking fresh.

The Mustang Generations

First Generation (1964-1973)

After debuting at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, the original pony car first became commercially available in 1965. It was aimed at a new post-war generation looking for a sporty yet affordable car, and it sold in the hundreds of thousands.

It won the 1965 Motor Trend Car of the Year award, prompting other car manufacturers to create their own versions of a family-friendly sporty car in response. So, when admiring the Pontiac Firebird, Dodge Challenger or Chevrolet Camaro, you should remember that they were all made in response to the Ford Mustang.

The first Mustangs were known for their long hood, sleek lines and short rear deck, and for being family cars with a luxury feel at an affordable price.

During this era there were a few standout models:

• Mustang GT: A more powerful version of the standard Mustang with an enhanced engine. It also has more sporty design features and has been available in every generation of the Mustang.
• Shelby GT350/GT500: The Shelby models were developed in partnership with automotive designer Carroll Shelby as high-performance variants, becoming a symbol of muscle car performance.
• Boss 302: Introduced in 1969, the Boss 302 was created to compete in Trans-AM series racing and was designed for performance.

Second Generation (1974-1978)

The 1973 oil crisis had a huge impact on the automotive industry. A sharp rise in fuel prices in the US saw consumers looking for more fuel-efficient cars. In response, Ford released the Mustang II in 1974. It came with smaller, more fuel-efficient engine options. These engines meant that the Mustang was less powerful, but crucially, had better fuel economy. It also had a more compact and efficient design, reduced weight and shorter length, meaning better fuel efficiency.

The Mustang II also featured improved interior comfort, maintaining its sporty appearance. The Mustang II was still intended to look like the original Mustang, though fuel economy was put before performance. Ultimately, drivers and critics were divided, the Mustang II provided the efficiency required of the time, but it took away from its previous muscle car image.

Third Generation (1979-1993)

During this period, the Mustang used a new Fox platform, giving them the name Fox-body Mustangs. Once the oil crisis was over, consumers were hungry for what the original Mustang once offered in terms of performance, but still with the added fuel efficiency.

The Fox Body looked like a shortened version of the original Mustang, but was also 100 pounds lighter than the Mustang 11, improving overall fuel efficiency. The Fox Body debuted with a 2.3-L inline 4 engine, producing 90 horsepower. By 1982, a 5.0-L V-8 engine was introduced, upping that to 157 horsepower with impressive performance. Throughout this period engine upgrades increased the Fox-Body’s power and performance.

The Fox Body was also praised for its suspension and handling. The 1987 redesign introduced revised shock absorbers, new front suspension geometry and new bushings. Around this time larger rotors, improved calipers and upgraded brakes further upgraded stopping power and boosted handling. The Fox Body Mustang also had a wider stance, improving stability and cornering performance.

There were also a number of special Fox-Body models:

• Mustang GT: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the GT350, these models came in either convertible or hatchback. Known for their styling, they featured a Canyon red interior, Oxford White body and side stripes with the GT350 markings.
• SVO: SVO stands for Special Vehicles Operations, which were developed with a focus on motorsport. The 1984 Mustang SVO was a turbo 4-cylinder hatchback with the first air-to-air intercooler.
• Cobra: This Mustang was known for its design. When it was released in 1979 it had an egg-crate style grill, which was replaced in 1980 with a Pace-Car style slat grill. It also featured front and rear spoilers, as well as a rear-facing hood scoop.

Fourth Generation (1994-2004)

These Mustangs are often known as the SN95 generation, the first redesign in 15 years since the Fox Body.

The fourth generation Mustang introduced the 4.6L V8 engine, as well as refined suspension and more rounded, aerodynamic styling. The car’s body had more defined edges, with tri-bar taillights, a design feature from earlier Mustang models.

During this period, Ford introduced modular engines. The base engine was a 3.8L V6 which had 15lb-ft of torque and 145 horsepower, guaranteeing a balance of fuel efficiency and performance. The GT and Cobra models had even more powerful engines, with up to 390 horsepower. Suspension was also improved, with the introduction of strut tower braces and larger anti-roll bars.

These new Mustangs came with both automatic and manual transmission options. The 5-speed manual option was most popular, although the 4-speed automatic transmission offered ease and drivability.

Fifth Generation (2005-2014)

Fifth-generation Mustangs were given retro-inspired styling, inspired by the classic Mustangs of the 1960s with a modern twist.

The Mustang’s front got a larger grille with a horse badge, while the body was muscular and wide with a long hood. The interior retained its classic look but also introduced updated technology like keyless entry, Bluetooth technology and premium sound systems.

In terms of performance, the fifth generation had many engine options and in 2011 offered a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission. It was also built on a Ford D2C platform for enhanced handling, with upgraded independent rear suspension and an improved braking system.

During the fifth-generation era, there were several notable models:

• Shelby GT500: This was developed with Shelby American and built to have track-ready performance abilities, straight-line acceleration and handling prowess. This model came with a 5.4L V8 engine, providing 550 horsepower in the 2011-2014 models.
• Boss 302: This Mustang had a 5.0L V8 engine with 444 horsepower. With improved aerodynamics and revised suspension, it was a track-ready Mustang.
• Bullitt: This car was inspired by the 1968 Bullitt Mustang from the film Bullitt, which was driven by Steve McQueen. It had a 4.6L V8 engine with 315 horsepower. In terms of styling, it had a dark green exterior with black accents.

Sixth Generation (2015-Present)

The most recent Mustangs are the most advanced Mustangs yet. This Mustang came with a complete redesign, retaining the classic long hood and short rear deck, but adding a wider grill, more prominent pony design, and a more sculpted overall body design to give it a more muscular look. The interior now comes with modern technology, including digital screens, and infotainment systems that sync with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto.

The sixth generation Mustang introduced the turbocharged EcoBoost engine, producing 330 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered both strong performance and fuel efficiency. It also offered a V8 engine, with 450 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque by the 2018 model. There are also 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmission options, as well as independent rear suspension. This allows for improved stability, better handling and smoother ride quality.

The sixth generation Mustang also produced some special editions:

• Mach 1: This Mustang was released in 2021 with road and track capabilities. It has a 5.0L V8 engine that produces 480 horsepower. It also has Brembo brakes, Magneride suspension and additional cooling features.
• Shelby GT500: Released in 2020, the Shelby GT500 features a supercharged V8 engine and performance-enhancing technology including Magneride adaptive suspension, advanced braking systems and active exhaust.

The Impact of Mustang on Car Culture

The Mustang is credited as defining the pony car, inspiring other iconic cars like the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda. It offered the ultimate performance car for an affordable price. It is also synonymous with the muscle car movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Moreover, the Mustang has also had an impact in motorsports, being involved in Trans-AM and NASCAR and most recently, IMSA and NHRA drag racing.

Furthermore, the Mustang has been an icon in movies from the very beginning, appearing driven by Steven McQueen in the movie Bullitt in 1968. It has also been seen in TV shows like The Dukes of Hazard and films like Gone in 60 Seconds. It has also been featured in songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Thanks to its rich history, Mustangs are highly desirable and collectible, especially the older models. There are also many enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and restoring older models. In addition, there are a number of Mustang clubs especially for Mustang owners, including the Mustang Club of America, who organize car shows and events.

With over 60 years of innovation already, there is no doubt that the Ford Mustang will continue to evolve and be loved for generations to come. Excitingly, there are now electric versions of the Mustang, which were first introduced in 2019, proving that the Mustang will continue to make a statement on the road when electric cars become the norm.