Historically, few American automobiles are considered classics in their own time. The Ford Mustang (1965-1973) is one of the few exceptions. Celebrating its fortieth anniversary, the Mustang has maintained a contemporary look and feel, and is right at home on the highway or on display at a car show.

The original Mustang came about in the early 60's, because of efforts by a Ford management team the Fairlane Group, headed by Lee Iacocca, then Ford Division General Manager.

The group through marketing research had come to the conclusion that Ford was not attracting its share of the youth market. After a series of studies, and much discussion, the "Sporty Car" concept was given the funding and go ahead for product development. Ford was cautious and still feeling the financial effects of the ill-fated Edsel program. The Ford Motor Company couldn't withstand another major product failure in the automotive marketplace.

A budget for the new Ford car, designed by Dave Ash, assistant to Chief Stylist Joe Oros at the Ford division studio, was approved September 1962, with a Job 1 production target date of March 1964 (an eighteen month timetable). The vehicle had the long hood, short rear deck, sculptured sides look that reflected the "Sporty Car" image of the 50s & 60s & would sell for $2,368.00 MSLP. Initial production took place in the Dearborn Michigan assembly plant, close to Ford World Headquarters where management could oversee the quality control & closely monitor production.

Public announcements was set for April 17,1964, with Henry Ford II to introduce the new Ford Mustang at the New York World's Fair. The Mustang also appeared on the covers of Time & Newsweek  magazines the same week. The 1965 Mustang also earned Ford the Tiffany Gold Medal award for excellence in American design.

Four engines and three transmissions provide eight power-team combinations tailored to Mustang economy and performance. The standard power team is the 170-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine with three speed non-synchronized manual transmission. This 101-horsepower engine offers the buyer low initial cost, maximum operating economy, and good performance.

Three optional V-8 engines are offered -- the Mustang "260" V8 2V at 164 horsepower, the Mustang "289" V8 4V at 210 horsepower, and the Mustang "289" 4V High Performance V8 at 271 horsepower.

Ford's three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission is optional with all engines except the "289" High-Performance V-8. For those desiring a "fun-to-drive" car with maximum road performance, the all-synchronized four-speed manual transmission is available with all engines except the "260" V-8. The three speed non-synchronized manual transmission is standard with the "170" six and the three speed fully-synchronized manual transmission is standard with the "260" V-8 engines.

Ford dealers were swamped, and Mustangs were bought so fast that the first day 22,000 were sold, within four months over 100,000 were sold, and a Million sold by mid 1966. In nine years of production in three full time assembly plants, over 2.9 Million Mustangs were built .

On the strength of this original demand, and the wide acceptance of the Ford Mustang as a much sought after & desirable collector car, we formed Mid-County Classic Mustang in September of 1982.

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