Happy Birthday! Ford celebrates 45 years of the Mustang
45 years of the Ford Mustang, including timeline – Click above for high-res gallery
While some might be celebrating in their own way (Ford to Hyundai: Let us know when you sell nine million Genesis Coupes), the Blue Oval is putting on a huge birthday bash for the Mustang's 45th anniversary. Over 2,500 Mustang enthusiasts, many of whom are driving cross country with their pony cars, are expected to attend four days of festivities at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the revelers will be nine original owners of 1964 1/2 Mustangs who still own their cars.
On the schedule is a huge cruise of 500 Mustangs, plenty of track time, car show, a Mustang Challenge race,and more. More details on the event can be found in the press release after the jump or by visiting www.MustangEvents.org, but be sure to check out Ford's Mustang timeline graphic in the gallery below.
Gallery: 45 Years of the Ford Mustang
PRESS RELEASE:
It was 45 years ago this week that marked the birth of the undisputed king of the American road: the Ford Mustang. And thousands of Mustang fans from all over the world are gathering in Birmingham, Ala. to mark the occasion.
"The Ford Mustang is one of the world's most beloved automotive and cultural icons," said Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. "Since April 17, 1964, it has been a symbol of American freedom and fun."
Ford and the Mustang Club of America are commemorating the birth of America's favorite pony car with a four-day celebration at the Barber Motorsports Park. The event is expected to draw more than 2,500 Mustang enthusiasts and their beloved steeds, as well as hundreds of thousands of spectators. Included among those enthusiasts are nine of the muscle car's most enduring fans: original owners of the 1964½ Mustang.
"People come up to the car and they don't believe that I'm the original owner," said Phil Florio, of Summerfield, Fla., about his Wimbledon White 1964½ Mustang Coupe. "I knew from day one that it was going to be a very special vehicle. A lot of car manufacturers have come out with their own particular type of pony car, but there's only one 'first.'"
Laki Malamatenios drove his Poppy Red 1964½ Mustang coupe all the way to Alabama from his home in Grass Valley, Calif. to take part in the 45th anniversary festivities.
"My 'Poppy' is something special," he said. "This car is a chronicle of my life with my family – some happy memories, some sad, but always interesting. Whenever I drive it, my whole life flashes before my eyes."
A host of exciting events are planned for the 45th anniversary celebration. For example, professional road racers – including four-time Mustang champion and SPEED TV personality Tommy Kendall – will be on site to provide hot laps for lucky attendees around the park in Mustang FR500S race cars. And world champion drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr., will be on hand all weekend to give demonstrations and rides.
"Whether you're a casual observer interested in seeing the latest model Mustang or a true fanatic who eats, sleeps and breathes Mustang, this is where you want to be to celebrate the 45th anniversary," said Steven McCarley, president of the Mustang Club of America.
"The '10 Unleashed" campaign
In addition to the events in Alabama, Ford is commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by introducing "The '10 Unleashed" campaign, which gives enthusiasts the chance to unleash their Mustang side behind the wheel of the new 2010 Mustang – whether it be drifting in Japan like world champion Vaughn Gittin, Jr. or customizing a new Mustang using Ford Racing Performance Parts.
Through Aug. 15, consumers can submit their own Mustang dream experience in 250 words or less via Ford's "The 'Unleashed" site at www.the2010Mustang.com. Written submissions will be judged based on creativity, uniqueness and execution of idea. Winning submissions will be selected every few weeks, and winners will be able to turn their Mustang experience into reality.
"During its 45 years, Mustang has touched people's lives in so many different ways, and we've enjoyed hearing those stories leading up to the introduction of the new 2010 Mustang," said Allison Revier, Ford Mustang brand manager. "Now, it's time to look forward and create new stories to fill the next chapter in the history book of America's favorite muscle car."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr.Oak 12:38PM (4/17/2009)
Happy Birthday to the MUSTANG. Still Hot after all these Years.
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Randy 2:51PM (4/17/2009)
Ditto! Happy Birthday Mustang!
Though I haven't driven you since 1998 I have admired you all along! From my first new White / Black 1990 Mustang GT , to my 1994 Mustang GT 5 Speed (white / black) to my final 1996 Mustang GT convertible in Laser Red Clearcoat Mettallic tint! with a Saddle top and Saddle interior!
Ahh good times, good times!
ninteen66mustang 12:39PM (4/17/2009)
Happy Birthday Mustang!
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jpfletch 12:42PM (4/17/2009)
I'm surprised the 99 Cobra with IRS wasn't mentioned. Not high volume, but a significant milestone.
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Shipey 1:18PM (4/17/2009)
The '99 Cobra had a bad rep for being down on power... that's why they introduced the PI (Performance Improved) heads for the '01 model.
I'm more surprised by the abscence of the supercharged '03 & '04 Terminators... those things are the ultimate in the New Edge years.
Jsams4131 2:14PM (4/17/2009)
@Shipey
I agree with ya when taking consideration to the new edge cobras. Being fairly young myself in comparison to the life of the Mustang, the 03' 04' Terminators are what made me fall in love with mustangs from the get go. 03' terminator sonic blue is like one car I'd love to have for life.
Matt 12:49PM (4/17/2009)
Congratulations Mustang on still using the same rear suspension that you were 45 years ago!
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arinzeuno 1:19PM (4/17/2009)
LOL. Very true.
dukeisduke 1:34PM (4/17/2009)
Except that the original cars were leaf-sprung.
Shawn 1:37PM (4/17/2009)
Congratulations Matt, 45 years from now you'll still be on every Ford thread with something negative to say!
Shipey 1:44PM (4/17/2009)
K.I.S.S.
Worked then, works now.
If it ain't broke...
Matt 2:04PM (4/17/2009)
Shipey:
Then why does it have HIDs?
Why does it have a FM radio?
Why does it have rear disc brakes?
Why does the trans have 5-speeds?
Why does it have fuel injection?
Why does it have OHCs?
Shawn 2:54PM (4/17/2009)
Matt, some might argue that live axle is good for drag racing...It is a muscle car and it is all about that quarter mile...
Some people might argue that the Mustang have won many, many road course races with a live axle and IRS is not the end-all be-all that people claim...
Some might even argue that live axle is far more reliable and works better for a muscle car...
But I don't buy any of that...Clearly Ford kept the live axle so you can go on every automotive message board on the internet to post about it.
Matt 5:54PM (4/17/2009)
Shawn:
The window sticker...the one that Ford designs and prints, says the Mustang is a sports car.
Furthermore, 99% of these silly Mustangs are used as daily drivers...not drag racers. The improvements in ride is far better than to keep a jumpy, uncontrolled ox cart suspension for the sake of a couple people that *may* drag the car.
But again, if the ancient live axle is so good why does the rest of the car get modern appointments?
Then why does it have HIDs?
Why does it have a FM radio?
Why does it have rear disc brakes?
Why does the trans have 5-speeds?
Why does it have fuel injection?
Why does it have OHCs?
s13hybrid 12:53PM (4/17/2009)
I am not a big mustang guy or anything, so excuse my ignorance. Why 45 years? Why not 50 years? I would think 50 is a more rounded number and something to look forward to. Does the number 45 have a huge signifacance in the mustang world?
Again I am not bashing the mustang, I think it is great it has lasted so long, but I am just curious as to why 45 years is this huge deal?
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Joe 12:57PM (4/17/2009)
I think it's just because they're at a 5 year milestone, and they're still the sales leader in the segment.
I think the party in five years is going to be pretty insane, provided Ford is still around, then, which I think they will be.
If I had known about the party a couple months ago, after I bought my GT, I'd be there with the wife.
s13hybrid 1:00PM (4/17/2009)
I assumed it was just a 5 year milestone. Thank you for the answer.
mikecanada 3:59PM (4/17/2009)
45 is really not so significant, 50 is the biggie. However, from a marketing perspective, it's a good move, since the new Camaro and Challenger are competing with the Mustang for media buzz.
Kaveh 1:26PM (4/17/2009)
The Mustang is great, well except for the mustang 2.
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xtasi 1:16PM (4/17/2009)
I"m glad that Ford has sort of spun the Mustang as it's own brand. It doesn't follow all the design languages that change every couple of years. Imagine the Mustang with the "bold" 3 bar chrome grill? nasty!. Ford is definitely doing something right with the brand. Good job Ford! Looking forward to another 45 years!
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