In the early 60s, in an effort to keep up with its main competitors Chevrolet, Ford represents the Mustang. The car, which was destined to become one of the most successful and revered in the range of Ford. During the development of the car bore the name Cougar (panther), and the name of the Mustang was given preference before launching into mass production, for the similarity of the model with the P-31 Mustang fighter of the war.
The emblem in the form of a galloping horse was chosen a little later, based on the name of the car. For the first time the Mustang was presented to the public in 1964. In two versions - as a two-door sedan and convertible. The market reacted with great enthusiasm to the appearance of the new model, the million mark was overcome in two years. The car looked great: low, sporty, with a long hood and sharply chopped off the back.
This look came to the Americans to taste, but for the sake of justice it is worth saying that the Europeans took the Mustang with a bang. The car conquered the inhabitants of the Old World with a powerful engine, stylish design and reasonable price. The stunning success of the Mustang was a huge list of custom equipment, thanks to which one client could order a copy with a modest appearance, a Spartan interior and an unassuming engine, while another received a Mustang with a metallic body painted generously decorated with chrome, with a powerful engine, sports box gear, leather interior and air conditioning.
In April 1965, “ordinary” buyers were offered a GT package, which included a tuned suspension, sharper steering, disc brakes on all wheels, a dual exhaust system, and special body coloring. By 1966, the individualization of the Mustangs reached new heights - according to the advertising booklets, the interior of the car in style and color scheme could be decorated in one of 34 options. Next came sporting modifications developed in collaboration with the famous firm Carroll Shelby, the efforts of which created the legendary Cobra. In the performance of Shelby GT-350 car engine produced 306 liters.
with., and in a special racing Shelby GT-350R - all 360 hp Only in the 1966 model year, a mechanical Paxton supercharger was also installed on the GT-350, which, when the engine reached a certain speed, increased the power to 420-430 hp. Over time, the need to update those or other details increased. These decisions affected the more powerful 1966 “Karrol Shelby GT 500” model. A single horizontal bar on the grille disappeared, air splitters were added to the decorative air intakes at the rear wheels, and lining and decorations were shuffled. At the same time, the 6-cylinder engine was standardized. A series of V8 engines continued to exist.
Of course, if someone did not like the power of 271 hp, then he could order the Cobra equipment from Ford dealers, increasing the engine power to 350 hp. By the 1967 model year, the Mustang adds dimensions of several centimeters, which resulted in a change in body panels. The range of power units consisted of eight: from the “six” with a volume of 3.3 liters and a capacity of 115 liters. from.
up to a new V8 of 7.0 liters, which developed 355 hp Installing the latter was made possible only by lengthening the engine compartment and only on the Mustang - Shelby GT-500. Of great interest is another option - hydromechanical transmission FMX, gearshifts in which could be carried out both automatically and manually. In the same 1967 Karrol Shelby transferred all rights to the production of the Mustang with the Shelby prefix of Ford Motor Corporation, refusing to participate in the preparation of subsequent sports versions of the car.
B1968 two new eight-cylinder engines appeared. Now a potential buyer could choose from ten power units with volumes of 3.3, 4.7, 5.0, 6.4 and 7.0 liters, with the following power options: 115, 120, 195, 230, 250, 271, 320, 325, 335 and 390 horsepower. In 1968, a modification of the Shelby GT-500KR with a seven-liter Ram Air 428 Cobra Jet engine with a special air intake system, which, with an official capacity of 325 liters, comes out. from.
easily developed 410 l. from. In 1969, the Mustang was waiting and repeated this time for capital improvements. With the same wheelbase, the length of the car increased by 10 cm, and the weight - by 60 kg; In the lineup, new versions appeared - cheap E, expensive Grande and Mach 1 with a 335-horsepower engine. Of great interest was the appearance of the Boss series. The Mustang Boss 302 with a 290-horsepower engine was designed to fight the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 in the Trans Am series, which took place on oval tracks. Mustang Boss 429, was created to participate in the NASCAR series. The car was equipped with an eight-cylinder engine capacity of 375 liters.
s., developing torque 611 Nm at 3400 rev / min, and many details made of light alloys. The installation of a large, powerful engine caused an audit of the front suspension, as a result of which the attachment points of the shock absorbers changed and the double wishbones were lowered by 25 mm. The Boss 429 also received a sports four-speed transmission, oil cooler and the best interior. Externally, the car differed hood with a huge air intake, spoilers and extended wheel arches. In conclusion, we add that the reliability of control on winding roads Mustang Boss 429 did not know his equal. In 1974, a completely new model appears, the second-generation Mustang era begins.
The car has decreased in size, but retained all three bodies in its range. Followed in the same year, there are varieties of Mach I and Cobra models of the second generation. In 1978, the Mustang III debuted in Geneva. The car is characterized by angular forms and significantly reduced to the size of the European car body. In 1982 - coupe and targa bodies appear. In 1983, the open model Konvertible was released.
Ford is launching a high-speed Mustang. In 1984, the SVO model was introduced. A year later, there were modifications Cobra and Mach. The car was completely rebuilt. In 1985, he made his debut Mustang GT Cabrio. In 1986 I saw the light LX car with a designation with a sharp-featured body. In 1992, a prototype of Mach III was shown in Detroit.
From 1993 to this day, the Mustang IV, styled as a 1964 car, has been produced. In 1997, the fourth generation underwent some changes. The exterior elements of the body were updated, he received a new rear vertical three-lane lighting engineering (previously it was horizontal). In 1998 she made her debut 320-strong modification SVT. However, as it turned out later, the SVT engine does not develop the declared power, and in the summer of 1999 the production of this modification had to be curtailed.
In 2000, the fourth generation Mustang acquired a more formidable appearance: new headlights and bumpers, a differently shaped hood, larger air intakes in front of the rear wheels and steeply protruding wheel arches. The traditional emblem of a fast-moving horse was shackled in a chrome rim, as on the first-generation Mustang. The changes affected the engine. The upgraded 4.6-liter V8 now develops 260 hp. from.
and accelerates to 240 km / h. In November 2003, in Las Vegas, Ford introduced a new version of the famous Mustang, the debut of which is timed to the 10th anniversary of the appearance of one of the first cars with the SVT index. The current Mustang SVT Cobra produced in 2 versions: a coupe and a convertible. In total, they will be produced 2003 copies - in exact accordance with the year of the anniversary series.
Under the hood - forced by a volumetric supercharger to 390 liters. from. The 32-valve V8 4.6 engine of the Triton family, as well as independent rear suspension. It is possible to order a version with a manual 5-speed transmission. As a commemorative series, the Mustang SVT Cobra can be distinguished by some details hidden from the unsophisticated look.
For example, golden-colored unique 17-inch twin-spoke rims, rear panel and body sills with the words “10th anniversary” and the image of a cobra standing in the attacking pose. Special colors are provided for the car: Torch Red (“Red Torch”), Black Clearcoat (something like “Classic Black”) and Silver Metallic (“Silver Metallic”). The jubilee Ford Mustang seat cushions are covered in red leather, and carbon fiber inserts are fashionable on some panels of the interior. Ford celebrated the debut of the Mustang GT-R model for the 40th anniversary of the Mustang.
Under the hood, the novelty hides a 5-liter aluminum V8 engine with two camshafts. Its power is 440 hp. at 7.000 rpm, and the maximum torque reaches 542 Nm. At the request of the client, the engine power can be increased to 500 hp. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox that drives the rear wheels. Behind the 20-inch wheels there are powerful brakes with 370 mm discs in front and 335 mm discs in the back. Tire sizes: 275/35 front and 315/30 - behind. The exterior of the Ford Mustang GT-R is distinguished by its extended wings, carbon fiber hood with air intake, rear diffuser and impressive rear wing.
Exhausts displayed on the rear fenders, front wheels. At the auto show in Detroit was presented a completely new generation of the legendary American sports car 2005 Ford Mustang. The updated car is built on a modernized platform, has received new engines and is distinguished by a new, more aggressive body design. Novelty was the original design of the front end with a classic round headlamps. Fully updated and the interior, now the Ford Mustang looks sporty modern and stylish. Under the hood of the 2005 Ford Mustang can be located one of two new gasoline engines.
It can be either a four-liter V6 with 200 hp, or a new 4.6-liter V8 with 300 hp. At the same time, the 2005 Ford Mustang retained the classic rear-wheel drive, which, in combination with the new, completely redesigned chassis, can give the pleasure of driving true fans of powerful rear-wheel drive cars.
