The Ford Mustang is a legendary American automobile, based on the Ford Falcon compact car and named after the Southern Methodist University Mascot. First introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964, and then via all three American television networks on April 19, the Mustang was an instant success. It sold over one million units in its first 18 months on the market and has remained popular to this day. Its combination of sporty design, low price, and overall performance inspired the term 'pony car' and prompted many imitators.
Though Mustang artwork features horses throughout, the car actually gets its name from the World War II-era P-51 Mustang.
The next generation
By 1970, Ford replaced the Falcon with the Maverick and the Mustang grew larger and heavier with each passing year, culminating with the 1971-73 models. Designed under the supervision of Ford's product design manager, Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, who was formerly with General Motors, the last high-performance big-block Mustang was the 1971 375 hp (280 kW) 429 Super Cobra Jet. However, the Mustang's size and weight limited it to just 351 in³ (5.8 L) in 1972 and 1973 due to strict U.S. emission control regulations and low demand for big block musclecars due to high insurance premiums.
Two more high-performance Mustang engines were introduced in 1972 - the 351 "HO" and 351 Cobra Jet - both powerful machines, but not comparable to the Boss cars or the original Cobra Jet. The changes in power and torque ratings in 1972, combined with the manufacturers making low-compression motors with different, far more restrictive induction systems, made it difficult to compare their ratings. The Mustang had changed drastically since 1964, and Ford received a deluge of fan mail from enthusiasts who wanted the Mustang to go back to its original style.
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