Modern Collector's Guide: The Ford Mustang from 1965 to Today
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector
Few cars have captured the American spirit like the Ford Mustang. As the originator of the 'pony car' segment, the Mustang remains a symbol of performance, style, and mass appeal. First introduced in April 1964, the Mustang was an instant success and has since become one of the world's longest-running and best-selling sports cars. This modern collector's guide walks through every Mustang generation, right through to the latest S650 model.
The Mustang debuted in April 1964, sparking a frenzy with over 22,000 units sold on the first day. It came in hardtop, convertible, and later fastback form. Over its nearly decade-long run, the Mustang grew in size and power, peaking with the 1971–1973 models, which could be equipped with the potent 429 Cobra Jet V8.
Responding to the fuel crisis, the Mustang II downsized drastically and shared a platform with the Ford Pinto. Though underpowered, it sold over a million units and earned Motor Trend's Car of the Year in 1974.
Built on the Fox platform, this era balanced affordability with performance. It survived nearly 15 years, from the 2.3L four-cylinder to the revered 5.0L V8 GT. Later years introduced the LX 5.0 and SVT Cobra variants.
Marking a major redesign, the SN-95 adopted sleeker lines and new modular V8s. In 1999, the 'New Edge' facelift sharpened its look. High-performance Cobras, Bullitts, and Mach 1s marked standout models.
Retro styling made a comeback with this wildly successful reboot. The return of the 5.0 Coyote V8 in 2011 elevated performance, while Shelby GT500s and Boss 302s offered track-ready excitement.
Global ambitions drove the S550 with independent rear suspension and turbocharged EcoBoost options. The Shelby GT350, GT350R, and 760-hp GT500 raised the bar for street-legal Mustangs. A mid-cycle update in 2018 brought refined styling and tech upgrades.
Unveiled for the 2024 model year, the S650 continues Mustang's evolution. Still based on a heavily updated S550 platform, the new Mustang offers a Digital Cockpit, sharper exterior lines, and carries forward the 2.3L EcoBoost and Gen 4 Coyote 5.0L V8. A six-speed manual remains available on GT models, and the all-new 500-hp Mustang Dark Horse joins the lineup as the most track-capable 5.0L Mustang ever built.
Ford's first all-electric crossover, the Mach-E, controversially wears the Mustang badge. While it doesn't replace the two-door coupe, it expands the nameplate with trims like the high-performance GT and upcoming Rally edition.
First Gen (1965–73): ~3 million
Mustang II (1974–78): ~1.1 million
Fox Body (1979–93): ~2.6 million
SN-95 (1994–04): ~1.6 million
S197 (2005–14): ~1 million
S550 (2015–23): ~750,000+
S650 (2024+): Production ongoing
From Le Mans to Main Street, the Ford Mustang continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, the Mustang offers timeless appeal, a rich aftermarket, and a passionate global fan base. The legend lives on.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ford Slashes 2025 Bronco Raptor Base Price By More Than $10,000
The Ford Bronco Raptor just got $10,040 less expensive in the middle of the 2025 model year, with the price of the hardcore off-road SUV coming down to a starting MSRP of $79,995. This price reduction, initially reported by Ford Authority, arrives as a mid-model year shift. The 2025 Raptor initially went on sale for $90,035, but as of this story's publication, the configurator now lists it with the new $79,995 starting point. Adding the destination charge of $1995 (up $100 since the beginning of the 2025 model year) brings you to an out-the-door price of $81,990. Don't get too hype about the big decrease, however, as it's just the latest adjustment in what has been a pricing merry-go-round for the Bronco Raptor ever since it launched. The starting price for the Raptor at launch was a mere $68,500, but multiple price increases soon after brought prices into the mid-$80,000 range. The 2024 and beginning of 2025 model years saw the highest starting price yet, cresting $90,000 even before options. Today, though, the price for a Bronco Raptor is as cheap as it's been since 2023. It's common to see prices for a vehicle increase over time, but the massive shifts of the Bronco Raptor are anything but the norm. (Road & Track queried Ford to get a handle on why the price suddenly decreased mid-model year by such a large amount, but had not heard back as of this story's original publication time; we'll update this story if we hear back) Ford already had an advantage over the Jeep Wrangler 392 on price, but now the gap between the two is $20,000. Yes, Jeep's V8-powered Wrangler starts at $99,995 these days. That said, tacking on a few high-dollar options to the 2025 Raptor will get you within shouting distance of the pricey Wrangler, so mind your spec if you want to make the most of these new savings. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ford Slashes 2025 Bronco Raptor Base Price By More Than $10,000
The Ford Bronco Raptor just got $10,040 less expensive in the middle of the 2025 model year, with the price of the hardcore off-road SUV coming down to a starting MSRP of $79,995. This price reduction, initially reported by Ford Authority, arrives as a mid-model year shift. The 2025 Raptor initially went on sale for $90,035, but as of this story's publication, the configurator now lists it with the new $79,995 starting point. Adding the destination charge of $1995 (up $100 since the beginning of the 2025 model year) brings you to an out-the-door price of $81,990. Don't get too hype about the big decrease, however, as it's just the latest adjustment in what has been a pricing merry-go-round for the Bronco Raptor ever since it launched. The starting price for the Raptor at launch was a mere $68,500, but multiple price increases soon after brought prices into the mid-$80,000 range. The 2024 and beginning of 2025 model years saw the highest starting price yet, cresting $90,000 even before options. Today, though, the price for a Bronco Raptor is as cheap as it's been since 2023. It's common to see prices for a vehicle increase over time, but the massive shifts of the Bronco Raptor are anything but the norm. (Road & Track queried Ford to get a handle on why the price suddenly decreased mid-model year by such a large amount, but had not heard back as of this story's original publication time; we'll update this story if we hear back) Ford already had an advantage over the Jeep Wrangler 392 on price, but now the gap between the two is $20,000. Yes, Jeep's V8-powered Wrangler starts at $99,995 these days. That said, tacking on a few high-dollar options to the 2025 Raptor will get you within shouting distance of the pricey Wrangler, so mind your spec if you want to make the most of these new savings. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Motor 1
3 hours ago
- Motor 1
Woman Walks Up to a Brand-New Ford Lariat. Then She Learns it has a New 'Luxury' Feature
Dealerships always highlight the new features and perks of car models to lure people into buying. Sometimes these features don't necessarily improve the car's performance so much as its aesthetic or vibe. Still, they're packaged as something you can't miss out on. Often these features are described as a 'luxury.' Car manufacturers toss around the word luxury like a football on a Sunday. It may irritate some, but many buyers want a luxurious car, so it's also just good marketing. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . That doesn't mean you won't get called out for calling something standard a luxury feature. In a TikTok with nearly 6,000 views, Madi (@surpriseforddeals) claims the new Ford F-150 Lariat's way of greeting drivers is an example of its 'luxury.' But is this a new feature or has this been around? Is your truck excited to see you? Trending Now 'Do People Not Read the Owner's Manual Anymore?': Woman Buys New Honda. Then She Tries Filling It Up With Gas 'This Should Be Illegal': Customer Gets Approved for 2024 Jeep Wrangler. Then An Expert Exposes the Reality of Financing In her post, Madi showcases how the new Ford F-150 Lariat automatically turns on its headlights when you approach the truck. She begins by asking viewers, 'Have you ever been greeted by your truck?' Madi then proceeds to hype how the Ford Lariat automatically lights up when its key gets close to the vehicle, suggesting this is a reason you should buy one—from her. According to her profile, Madi works for a Ford dealership. 'Welcome back to your truck. That's the luxury of Lariat,' Madi concludes. Luxury or standard? While the F-150 Lariat's light-up greeting is arguably aesthetically pleasing and potentially promotes safety, many people who commented on Madi's post disagree with the suggestion that it's remarkable. 'Literally most manufacturers do this,' one TikTok commenter said. 'Oh, a 2004 Lexus LS does the same thing, nothing new here,' another added. A third shared, 'Luxury of Lariat? My $40k outback from 2020 does this.' The skeptics are correct: this isn't a new feature. Ford F-150s have even reportedly had this feature since at least 2021. It used to be called 'approach lighting'; now it's known as 'welcome lighting.' So why is it being highlighted as a selling point? Wouldn't it make more sense to simply focus on the F-150's reliability, towing capacity, or perhaps its warranty? This dives into the bigger conversation about how consumers have become increasingly driven to buy vehicles based on their technology. There's something of a tech race going on in vehicle manufacturing. Every brand wants to have the newest, most desirable tech under the hood and inside the passenger compartment. Critics say these features are used to distract from the fact that making dependable and reliable cars is slowly becoming a lost art. They claim manufacturers don't build them like they used—and there may be truth to that. But cars didn't used to have backup cameras , either, and that tech has unquestionably saved lives (and bumpers). If consumers want a vehicle that lights up when they approach, why not give it to them? Motor1 has contacted Madi over Instagram and TikTok direct messenger. We also reached out to Ford via email. We'll update this story if we hear back. More from Motor1 Here's the 2026 Ford F-150 Lobo Totally Undisguised NHTSA Investigating 1.3 Million F-150s Over Unexpected Downshifts Only Two of America's 10 Best-Selling Vehicles Earn IIHS Safety Award Tesla Just Released a Much Cheaper Cybertruck Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
