The Ford Mustang has had an exciting history and continues to be automobile at which many people marvel. On April 17, 1964, the world got its first taste of the car that would become an automotive legend. Ford executives had seen the need for a small sporty car in the lower price range. R. Perry Zavits, Mustang historian, notes the Mustang aimed to become "the working man’s Thunderbird." Using the Falcon’s chassis, Ford constructed hardtops, coupes and convertibles with a wheelbase of 108 inches, an overall length of 181.6 inches, and a 170-cubic-inch, 101 horsepower Six engine, with optional upgrades. The hardtop originally sold for $2,368.
The Mustang so quickly became popular that demand outstripped the capacity of the Dearborn factory where is was first produced. The number of cars sold in the first four months alone surpassed the 100,000 cars Ford estimated would sell in the first year. In fact, 22,000 orders were taken the first day. By its first birthday, April 17, 1965, the Mustang had established a new world record of over 418,000 sales in the first year on the market for a new model.
(NOTE: From the old Ford website dating back to January 16, 1998.)
Year-to-year changes[]
1991[]
As of the 1991 model year, the third-generation Mustang's lineup consisted of eight trim levels: two for the 2-door coupe (LX and LX 5.0), and three each for the 2-door convertible and hatchback (GT, LX and LX 5.0).
1994[]
The Ford Mustang got a complete makeover for the '95 model year.
1995[]
The '95 'Stang gallops into the new season virtually unchanged. A new model, the limited edition Cobra, joined the lineup in March '94.
All three models, the base Mustang, the GT and the Cobra, are available in coupe and convertible versions. The Cobra, with its enhanced 240-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, will be sold through a network of some 750 Special Vehicle Team (SVT) dealers.
Mustang and its arch rivals, the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, all compete in the same large-sport-coupe market segment. Buyers fall into two groups, those who want a sporty-looking car larger than a Japanese import, and those who want a true high-performance sports car.
In addition to making the power driver's seat optional instead of standard, and adding an AM/FM stereo with CD and premium sound, the '95 Mustang adds two new colors, Sapphire Blue and Silver Frost, while dropping Iris and Opal Frost.
The power picture starts with a 145-horsepower V6 for the base car, with a 215-hp 5.0-liter V8 for the GT. Both come with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The potent Cobra is available only with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Mustang's option list shows an ear-wax-melting 230-watts-per-channel, Mach 460 killer sound system with 10 speakers. Options also include antilock brakes, air conditioning and 17-in. wheels (for the GT; they come standard on the Cobra).
Retail prices[]
As of May 2, 1994:
- $20,765 (1994 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Coupe)
- $23,535 (1994 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Convertible)
As of mid-1994:
- $14,330 (1995 Ford Mustang 2DR Coupe)
- $17,905 (1995 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Coupe)
- $20,795 (1995 Ford Mustang 2DR Convertible)
- $22,595 (1995 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Convertible)
As of late 1994:
- $16,910 (1995 Ford Mustang GTS 2DR Coupe)
- $21,300 (1995 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Coupe)
- $25,605 (1995 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Convertible)
As of January 12, 1995:
- $14,530 (1995 Ford Mustang 2DR Coupe)
- $18,105 (1995 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Coupe)
- $20,995 (1995 Ford Mustang 2DR Convertible)
- $22,795 (1995 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Convertible)
As of June 15, 1995:
- $15,180 (1996 Ford Mustang 2DR Coupe)
- $17,610 (1996 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Coupe)
- $21,060 (1996 Ford Mustang 2DR Convertible)
- $23,495 (1996 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Convertible)
- $24,810 (1996 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Coupe)
- $27,580 (1996 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Convertible)
As of July 27, 1997:
- $15,355 (1997 Ford Mustang 2DR Coupe)
- $18,000 (1997 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Coupe)
- $20,755 (1997 Ford Mustang 2DR Convertible)
- $23,985 (1997 Ford Mustang GT 2DR Convertible)
- $25,335 (1997 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Coupe)
- $28,135 (1997 Ford Mustang Cobra 2DR Convertible)
Shipping prices[]
- $475 (1993 to early 1995 models)
- $500 (1995 and early 1996 models)
- $525 (1997 models)