| Walt Disney introduced "It's a Small World" in 1964 at | | | | comparison to the small trunk. Research had shown |
| the Worlds Fair in New York City. While thousands of | | | | Ford that cars had become too large for many |
| people floated in the little boats through this attraction | | | | women drivers by 1960. Remember that this was |
| to hear children singing the theme song that sticks in | | | | before power steering was common. Ford's first |
| your head forever there was something else going on | | | | answer was the Falcon, the first American compact |
| at the fair. One day in April, at that same fair, Ford | | | | car. Designers of the Mustang wanted to build a car |
| Motor Company was making their own introduction, | | | | that had appeal for both men and women. The design |
| the new, 1965 Ford Mustang. Both of these traditions | | | | did so well that the Falcon production ended in 1970. In |
| now have a forty-five year history. Initial sales of the | | | | the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, |
| Mustang were only surpassed by Henry Ford's Model | | | | the models became progressively larger. In response |
| "A." The original Mustang had a MSRP that was | | | | to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the |
| $2368. The vehicle borrowed framework as well as | | | | Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but |
| other parts from Ford's Falcon as well as their Fairlane | | | | heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight |
| models. Some of the first Mustangs had the Falcon's | | | | was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices |
| 100 HP engines. The Falcon's emblem even showed | | | | required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II |
| up in the horn ring in the first models of the Mustang. | | | | was severely underpowered. Fans of the original |
| Although Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) identify | | | | Mustang complained and in 1984, Ford listened and |
| those first Mustangs as 1965 models, collectors call | | | | produced the Mustang II. The Mustang II was smaller |
| them a 1964 1/2 model. There were several very | | | | than the Mustang introduced at the World's Fair, but |
| significant differences in the actual 1965 models. A | | | | due to new federal regulations on air pollution actually |
| 1964 1/2 Mustang in good condition today could bring | | | | weighed more than the original. Ford had included a |
| over thirty thousand dollars. The body of the Mustang | | | | smaller engine resulting in an underpowered car. |
| has changed throughout the years, yet it is still easy to | | | | Purchasers of today's Mustang can expect to pay a |
| spot a Mustang. The characteristic grill and side swoop | | | | base price of twenty-one thousand dollars. If you want |
| make the vehicle easily recognizable. Trying to copy | | | | your Mustang fully loaded, add another eleven grand. In |
| Ford's success, other automakers quickly brought out | | | | the forty-five year history of the Mustang, there have |
| their own version of the "Pony car." The main | | | | been many changes. Even so, the Ford Mustang |
| characteristic of each was the large hood in | | | | remains one of the best sellers for Ford. |