Souvenir pendant struck
for the award occasion.
Photo courtesy of Pete Grant petegrant@comcast.net

"Among the many accolades heaped upon the first Mustang, including the prestigious Industrial designer's Institute Award, perhaps the most cherished by Henry Ford II was the Tiffany Gold Medal Award, bestowed by the famed diamond merchant "For Excellence in American Design." Walter Hoving, Tiffany & Company chairman, presented the medal to Mr. Ford during the April 13th World's fair press introduction ceremonies, and it marked the first time this prestigious honor had been awarded to an automobile.

Actually, according to then Mustang product planner Hal Sperlich, it had happened because Ford PR people had approached Tiffany, instead of the other way around. "Somebody said, 'You know, the car really ought to win an award; it ought to be an award-winning car,' but these wasn't anything suitable, "Sperlich recalls. "So somebody was dispatched to see Walter Hoving, and Walter agreed ...provided he could look the car over to make sure it was suitable, and the deal was struck."*

*Mustang The Complete History of America's Pioneer Pony Car
by Gary L. Witzenburg, published in 1979.