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Mustang Time Line
Icons In Time: Ford Mustang
The CarConnection
by Mike Davis 4/13/2003
1962
Mustang I show car with mid-ship V-4 debuts Mustang name, somedesign cues.
1963
Mustang II show car, a prototype of production model, unveiled tocontinue the tease.
1964
April 17 — Mustang production car introduced at N.Y. World’s Fair;goes on sale in coupe and convertible versions on 108-inch wheelbase with choice of 170-cid inline six, 260-cid V-8, or three 289-cid V-8s.
October 1 — fastback body added to Mustang lineup, permitting intro of Shelby Mustang GT-350.
1965
April 17 — 418,000 Mustangs sold in first year.
October 1 — 1966 models introduced with 170 six and 260 V-8 dropped in favor of 200 six and 289 V-8; “Six and the Single Girl” advertising campaign plays on pop sociology book.
1966
September 30 — introduction of 1967 Mustang with all-new, larger body and provision for 390-cid V-8 engines; muscle-car era spreads
1967
September — Intro of 1968 model with added 302-cid, 427-cid, and 428-cid V-8 engine options.
1968
September — Introduction of 1969 Mustang with quad headlamps, larger body (six inches longer and 240 pounds heavier than the original); 289-cid and 427-cid V-8s dropped and 250-cid six and 351-cid V-8 options added; Boss 302, Mach I and Cobra Jet models; last year for Shelby Mustangs.
1970
September 19 — Introduction of 1971 Mustang with new body on 109-inch wheelbase, now nearly 500 pounds heavier than original, partly due to federally mandated safety equipment; 200-cid six dropped and 429-cid V-8 options have replaced 428s.
1971
September 24 — 1972 models introduced, still in three body styles, coupe, convertible and fastback, but muscle begins to shrink with elimination of 429s
1972
Fall — Model year 1973 Mustangs are the last of the original concept for some years and likewise feature Ford Motor Company’s last convertible for a decade.
1973
Mid-year — Pinto-based 1974 Mustang II introduced as “luxury sub-compact” powered by choice of 140-cid four or imported Ford of Europe 171-cid V-6; shorter but heavier than original ’Tang, it was mounted on a 96.2-inch wheelbase in coupe and fastback configurations; offerings included “luxury” Ghia and “sheep in wolf’s clothing” Mach I models.
1974
September — 1975 Mustang II introduced with optional 5.0-liter (302-cid) V-8 as Ford switched to metric engine designations; economy "MPG" model introduced mid-year.
1976
October 1 — 1977 Mustang II model intro with copy-cat “poor man’s convertible” T-roof option.
1978
October 6 — Mini-Mustang replaced by all-new 1979 Mustang on 100.4-inch Fox chassis wheelbase; weight back to under 2450 pounds like original ’65 in two bodies, coupe and hatchback, with choice of 2.3-liter four, turbo 2.3-liter four, 2.8-liter V-6 or 5.0-liter V-8.
1979
October 12 — Intro of 1980 model offered with 3.3-liter (200-cid) straight six in place of imported 2.8 V-6, and downsized 4.2-liter V-8 in place of 5.0.
1981
September 24 — 1982 model Mustang brings back the 5.0 as Ford learned how to comply with fuel economy regulations.
1982
November 5 — return of the Mustang convertible as a 1983 model, first since end of 1973 run; also new, a 3.8-liter V-6, plus GT models with choice of turbo four or 5.0-liter V-8 for a two-model-year run.
1983
September 22 — Introduction of 1984 models including SVO Mustang with turbo four.
1986
October 2 — Intro of restyled 1987 Mustang; SVO model eliminated andengine choices reduced to venerable 2.3 Four and 5.0 V-8.
1994
Model year 1994 Mustang with all-new rounded body in convertible and coupe versions on longer 101.3-inch wheelbase and only two engine choices: base 3.8-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8.
1996
For 1996 Mustang, 5.0-liter V-8 replaced by new 4.6 in both SOHC andDOHC versions.
1998
December — 1999 Model with less rounded sheetmetal introduced.
1999
Mustang featured on a U.S. postage stamp.
2003
Mustang for 2003 little-changed from 1999 — or, for that matter, 1994 model — but still sells at enviable clip; number one in convertible sales through 2002.
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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid. 
My next Ford.....
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