The 1965 Mustang Inspired A New Generation

Never before had an American auto manufacturer produced such a spirited and fun vehicle focused at a youthful customer base. The 1965 Mustang inspired such songs as "Mustang Sally" and quickly became a part of the new baby boomer mantra "We are different from our parents, we are unique!" The 1965 Mustang was exactly the right car, at the right time for the new generation of young American consumers.

Styling for the new vehicle came from the two passenger 1957 Thunderbird and the experimental "X-cars" from Ford's Styling Department known as the Mustang I and Mustang II. No other car produced in 1965 had such new brave styling or offered as many options. A new owner was able for the first time to practically "custom order" a car that fitted their individual likes or needs. Wasn't that the cry of the early 60's? People wanted to be different from the norm, the new generation cried out to be individuals. The new Pony Car gave them exactly what they were looking for.

Options from a standard 6 cylinder 3-speed manual transmission to a High Performance 289 4V with 4-speed transmission were available. Interior colors and styles ranged from the standard interiro to the deluxe "Pony" style interior were offered. Bucket seats or bench seats, air conditioning, power steering, disc brake options were available. Never before the Mustang had a manufacturer offered a car with so many custom features.

The new model also out performed the competition in areas of fuel mileage and performance. The closest comparison the early Mustang considering weight and size was the Corvair Monza Spyder (Turbocharged). Comparing a 1965 Mustang 6 cylinder to a Corvair Monza Spyder:

Distance traveled in 10 seconds from a standing start: Mustang 440 feet and the Corvair 410 feet. Economy, average miles per gallon for 1000 miles: Mustang 19.8 mpg and the Corvair 15 mpg.

What a comparison! The base 6 cylinder Mustang was a definite winner in every category vs. the Turbocharged Corvair. The results were even more profound comparing upgraded power trains to the competition of that time in automotive history. The excitement of that first introduction of the 1965 Mustang to the public remains with us today. Many of us remember the new Mustang on the road in 1965; some of us were lucky enough to purchase a brand new 1965 Mustang. Many of us are searching for a link to our youth and memories of less stress full times by buying and restoring a vintage Pony Car.

What ever your reason for owning a 1965 Mustang, you can't go wrong. The timeless beauty and style of the 1965 Mustang is still popular and desirable today!