Ford’s Mustang Concept Car: A Brief History
The Ford Mustang has become a quintessential American muscle car that has stood the test of time. It all began in the 1960s when the auto giant Ford recognized the need for a sporty, youthful car that had both style and performance. The first-generation Mustang, which debuted in April 1964, was an instant hit. But did you know that Ford had a plan to introduce a four-door Mustang in the early 1960s? This article will discuss the history of the Mustang concept car that never made it to production.
The Mustang Concept Car Design
The concept car was designed in 1962-63 by Gene Bordinat and Joe Oros. The car was essentially a Mustang coupe riding on a longer wheelbase with an extra pair of doors added. The only significant departure from the coupe’s styling was a stretched C-pillar, presumably to give rear-seat passengers more space. The car had a “Cougar” emblem on the front fender, a model name that Ford’s Mercury brand later used for a luxury version of the Mustang introduced in 1967.
Was the Concept Car Functional?
Sources report that the car was only a full-size clay model and not an actual functioning vehicle, although it looks remarkably realistic to our eyes. In any case, the project was never advanced toward serious production consideration. For the originator of the pony car genre, the need to pivot never occurred.
Mustang’s Success
By the end of the 1965 model year, over 680,000 Mustangs were sold, and at the close of the decade, that number ballooned to more than 2 million. The Mustang was an unqualified success, becoming an icon of the era and one of the most recognizable cars in history.
The Redesigned Falcon
As for Ford’s compact sedan, a redesigned Falcon emerged in 1966 on a shortened version of the Fairlane’s frame. The Falcon would remain in production until 1970.
The Current Mustang Status
Nowadays, Ford only sells about 47,500 non-Mach-E Mustangs per year, and quite frankly, the automotive world breathed a collective sigh of relief when the latest-generation S650 was announced. It would have been easy for Ford to justify axing its pony car altogether, following the lead of Chevy with the Camaro and Dodge with the Challenger. We’re just grateful that the old-school Mustang has at least a few more years of life remaining, even if it does mean sharing the badge with an electric SUV.
Final Thoughts
The Ford Mustang and its concept car have come a long way since the 1960s. Although the four-door Mustang concept car never made it to production, it remains a unique piece of automotive history. Today, the Mustang is a beloved classic car that continues to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings