Ford Mustang GT

At the beginning of the 1960s, market analyses assumed that a large proportion of future new car buyers would be under 30 years old. This generation preferred inexpensive sports cars and because the sporty Thunderbird, which had been offered by Ford since 1955, was getting bigger and more expensive, a new model was needed.

The car is to cost less than 2500 dollars, be less than five meters long, weigh less than 2500 pounds and be able to carry four people in a sporty manner. To minimize costs, the car is to be based on the existing Ford Falcon.

In 1962, a prototype with the name Mustang is ready. The name comes from a legendary US fighter plane, the Mustang P-51. The car was a roadster with a mid-engine and only two seats. Visually, there were hardly any similarities with the later production model.

After just 18 months of planning and design, Ford's River Rouge plant near Dearborn churned out the first Mustangs on March 5, 1964. The car was officially unveiled on April 17 and the rush was enormous. Over 20,000 sales contracts were signed on the first day.

Right from the start, the convertible and coupé body styles were available with different engine versions. A 170-ci six-cylinder engine (2.8 liters) made the start and the V8 was available in sizes 260 with twin carburetors and 289 with quad carburetors as well as the 289 HiPo with a whopping 275 hp. Manual transmission was available with three or four gears and the automatic was available with three gears. Due to a lack of power, the 170 was replaced by a 200 ci six-cylinder in the same year and the 260 ci V8 was completely removed from the range. The V8 was now only offered as a 289cc, but with a choice of 2- or 4-barrel carburetor.

The 66 model could be recognized externally by the Mustang emblem on the radiator grille, which was no longer „supported“ by vertical chrome bars. There were also three new chrome inserts on the dummy air scoops in front of the rear wheel arches. The safety equipment was supplemented by front and rear seat belts, a padded dashboard and a hazard warning system. The speedometer with horizontal scale used in the first model year was replaced by round instruments.

The 1966 GT is distinguished from the standard Mustang by various small details. There are no horses on the fenders but GT emblems, as well as on the fuel filler cap. The GT was always fitted with fog lights ex works, which were switched on together with the rear lights. The tailpipes exit the body of the GT through the rear apron and not underneath, and disc brakes and a larger master cylinder were standard at the front.

The chassis of the GTs was harder thanks to the «Handling Package» and a «Quick-Ratio» steering gear was installed. A GT can also be recognized by the engine, which must be an A or a K code, whereby the transmission could be ordered either automatically or manually for the 66 model year. The A-code GT had a 289 with four-barrel carburetor and the K-code had a 289 Hi-Po.

All 1965 K-code Mustang GTs had a manual transmission. 65 A-code Mustangs could be ordered with both manual and automatic transmissions. On the 66 models, both transmission variants could be fitted ex works regardless of the engine code.