Ford Mustang 351 Convertible

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. 

Due to the many model updates in Mustang history, we will jump directly to the years 71 to 73. The fourth version of the first Mustang was characterized by strong growth in all dimensions. While the glass surfaces were smaller, the body was designed to be much more massive. A hatchback coupé, a notchback coupé, a grandé version and the convertible were offered. 

The basic engine was no longer a 3.3-liter engine, but a 4.1-liter straight-six. In addition, the output of the 4.9-liter engine was reduced to 210 hp and the 5.8-liter engine introduced in 1969 was available with 240 hp and 285 hp. 

The changes did not go down well with all Mustang fans, which is why the sales figures of earlier models were far from being achieved. Even the big appearance in the movie «James Bond: Diamond Fever» could not raise the numbers to the astronomical sales of earlier versions. 

In 1972, only 6,401 Mustangs were built as convertibles, of which only 377 were painted in the Gold Glow color.