Easily one of the most iconic classic cars of all time. the Ford Mustang has almost become synonymous with Americana. Even non-enthusiasts can pick out a Mustang from a classic car line-up. Not too many cars can claim that type of notoriety.
America has had a love affair with this little pony and the 2018 models look like they will keep the romance going! There are however some very interesting facts you may or may not know. Here are our 6 favorite facts about the Ford Mustang.
- The very first Mustang was sold on accident.
The Mustang was to be released on April 17, 1964 at the world’s fair. Dealerships across America were instructed to start selling the Mustang on the same day. A salesman in Illinois did not realize that the car was not technically for sale yet and sold the very first Mustang to a young woman named Gail Wise on April 15. We wrote an article a few years ago that tells the entire story. - The Ford Mustang was almost called the Ford Cougar.
In early concept design years and all the way up to 1963, Ford leaned towards naming the car after the big cat. There are designs and emblems alike that had the cougar name on them. The Cougar logo design actually looks very similar to the Mustang logo. Other names that were considered include the Torino, Bronco, Puma, Colt, Thunderbird II, and Panther. It was the Mustang that eventually won the naming battle and the rest is history. The Cougar was eventually released by Mercury some years later. - Mustang #1 was accidentally sold to a Canadian.
An airline pilot by the name of Stanley Tucker fell in love with a white convertible Mustang he saw in a dealership in St. Johns, Newfoundland and bought it immediately. What Stanley (and Ford alike) didn’t know is that he was taking home Mustang VIN 5F08F100001. After realizing that the car was mistakenly sipped to that dealership, Ford contacted the new owner and pleaded for its return. At first, Stanley was not willing to part ways with his pony, but after some persuasion, Ford enticed him to return the first production car in exchange for a brand new 1966 convertible. The new one was the 1-millionth off the line. Mustang #1 is now safe and sound at the Henry Ford Museum. - The Mustang convertible went extinct for a decade.
For reasons only known to Ford executives of the time, the Mustang convertible ceased to exist. Production on the convertibles remained non-existent for 10 years from 1973 until 1983 when it was re-introduced. Designers at Ford Motor Company must have finally realized that Americans wanted to put the roof down and feel the wind in their hair. - The most expensive Mustang sold for 1.3 million dollars.
In more than 50 years of production, Ford has debuted almost countless special editions, but none quite as special as the 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. Shelby only built one of these as a prototype and it remains the only one in existence. In 2013 the car was auctioned off at a Mecum auction for 1.3 million dollars. - Ford considered making a Mustang wagon
During early production years, Ford considered offering a family car that could haul more than groceries with the Mustang Aspen station wagon. In fact, Ford is rumored to have produced two Mustang Aspen station wagons in 1966, but if they exist, few people have ever laid eyes on them. With the rumors of this wagon squashed, custom builders have taken matters into their own hands and there are custom Mustang wagons cruising the streets of America.