2011 Ford Mustang Gt 500
October 9th, 2010
This Pony Still Isn’t Ready For the Pasture
April 17th, 2011 marked the 47th birthday of Ford’s prize pony. The Ford Mustang which was unveiled at the 1964 New York World’s Fair sold 22,000 units on the first day of orders, and has grown into one of the longest running and best selling cars in the history of the American automotive industry.
As for the remainder of 1964, the Mustang served as the pace car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500, and served as a villain role in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. With more than 2,600 newspapers publishing stories about the Mustang, was sent into a frenzy. In just 18 months, the Ford Mustang had hit the one million sold mark. This is fascinating considering that today Ford sells around a million cars for the entire year!
These first generation Mustangs were initially offered as either a notchback coupe or convertible. To lower costs, the Mustang had to incorporate much of the same engineering as the Ford Falcon. The cockpit was pushed further back on the chassis than Falcon however. With other iconic touches such as the running horse in the grille, the side scallops along the flanks and the taillights divided into three sections. These differences are what set Mustang apart.
The most important aspect of the Ford Mustang is what happened next. Ford decided to improve the Mustang and has spent the last 47 years making the muscle car progressively better. In 1966, fueled by American’s passion for car racing, Ford brought Carroll Shelby in to put the Chevrolet Corvette to the test. These “GT 350″ models tossed aside the rear seats and added many performance items as oversize front disc brakes, a fiberglass hood, and a lowered suspension with oversize tires on 15-inch wheels.
1967 was marked by the “Second Generation” of Mustangs. During this year competition had arose from the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Plymouth Barracuda and even within Ford, Mercury was selling the Cougar. Mustang’s response was simple; let’s place an all-new slightly larger body over what was pretty much the same chassis. The grille opening was bigger, the side scallops were deeper, even the taillights were larger and concave. Also added was the “Big Block” V8 which blistered at 315 horsepower. The ’67 Mustang was one big, bad machine.
In 1969, Ford came up with the Boss 302 to rival the Camaro Z28. The Boss 302 was a 290 horsepower V8 with a flat-black hood, rear window louvers, and a rear deck spoiler. These power machines were effective weapons on the SCCA Trans Am road racing series.
In 1976, Farrah Fawcett’s character, Jill Munroe, drove the ’76 Mustang Cobra in the huge TV hit series Charlie’s Angels. The Cobra package had some radical changes including a big rear spoiler, a hood scope and 134-horsepower V8.
The 1994 Indianapolis 500 was paced by the ’94 Mustang Cobra Convertible. Ford assigned its Special Vehicle Team to build this pace car. The result was a 17-inch wheel wearing 5.0-liter 240 horsepower V8. With a uniquely blistered hood, rear spoiler and front fascia with round fog lamps and snake logos on the fender and grille, this Mustang was an absolute hit in 1994.
Over the years, the Ford Mustang has paced the Indianapolis 500 11 times, been raced in the NASCAR stock car competition, and provided drivers from every background a reason to get behind the wheel. With the unveiling of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, Ford looks to push through a slow economy towards its 50th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang. While most competitors have come and gone, 47 years later, the Mustang has refused to be “put out to the pasture.”
About the Author
Atchley Ford is proud to have served the Omaha, Nebraska area for over 35 years. Carrying a full line of new and used Ford cars, Atchley Ford offers the best selection when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. The knowledgeable and award winning service department at Atchley Ford is prepared to assist with repairs and routine maintenance and the Parts Department offers one-stop shopping on a full selection of Ford parts and accessories. Atchley Ford strives for 100 percent customer satisfaction for every visit.
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FORD MUSTANG GT 500 SHELBY INTERIOR WOOD CARBON DASH TRIM KIT 2010 2011 2012 $179.99 |
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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT500 SHELBY COBRA BLACK HAT/CAP! $23.99 |
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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 FORD MUSTANG GT500 COBRA BURNT CORDUROY HAT/CAP! $9.99 |
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2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Owners Manual Supplement $25.00 |
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Ford : Mustang Shelby GT500 2010 GT500 Shelby Mustang, 2011, 2012 $1,025.00 |
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RACE HORSE & JOCKEY BLK PENDANT BD CHN NECKLACE CLUB SCENE HOT RAT ROD MUSTANG $4.49 |
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Hot Wheels 2009 Treasure Hunt TH~Mustang Convertible~Metal/Metal~Red $0.95 |
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Ford 1999 Focus & Mustang Mag. Article Reprint $8.99 |
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1970 MUSTANG HEADLIGHT BRACKET PLASTIC RING $59.98 |
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FORD MUSTANG STOCK RACER BATTERY TIN LITHOGRAPHIE JUST FOR RETRO TOYS COLLECTORS $75.00 |
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USED 1971 FORD MUSTANG DOOR PANEL SPEAKER GRILL $29.98 |
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RACE HORSE & JOCKEY BLK PENDANT BLK VEL NECKLACE CLUB SCENE HOT RAT ROD MUSTANG $4.49 |
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Handmade Greeting Card-Happy Father’s Day-Keep Cruisin’!-Blue Mustang! $3.75 |
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1979 – 1993 FORD MUSTANG Twin Turbo Kit 750hp Package TT 260 289 302 351 5.0L 5L $979.00 |
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Ford Mustang Boss 302 RB Trans Am Racing Performance Car Sport Metal Watch $0.99 |