Existing comment:
1965 Ford Mustang"
In 1964, Ford introduced the Mustang in response to changing motorist demographics. Young adults, multi-car families, and sports car enthusiasts liked the Mustang's sporty looks, compact size, and low price. Strong sales confirmed Ford's belief that driving could be fun and emotion could sell cars. With its bucket seats, wild pony emblem, and optional V-8 engine, the Mustang evoked the excitement of the open road. The Smithsonian conservator who donated this car enjoyed her daily commute in the sporty hardtop and took it on the road to Delaware beaches and the Maine coast.
Ford Mustang: A New Type of Car for a New Generation of Motorists:
The Mustang's debut at the New York World's Fair in April 1964, six months before other new cars appeared in showrooms, focused attention on novel features that many consumers found trendsetting and appealing. With its distinctive looks and low price, the Mustang satisfied growing demand for affordable sports cars. And it was a practical car; unlike the two-seat Ford Thunderbird of the mid-1950s, the Mustang was built for the mass market and could carry four people. The Mustang met the needs of young married couples, single drivers including women and men, and families with young drivers. The first "pony car" quickly became a symbol of youthful exuberance and a popular culture icon.
Record Jacket:
Mack Rice's 1965 rhythm and blues song "Mustang Sally," recorded by Wilson Pickett, became a hit and epitomized cultural euphoria over the Ford Mustang. |