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Ford Mustang Turns 58 This Week
Ford's iconic pony car first appeared on the scene in April of 1964. Exactly what day? Well, that might be up for interpretation. The Mustang's grand debut came on April 14, 1964 for the press and April 17, 1964 for the general public.
Ford's iconic pony car first appeared on the scene in April of 1964. Exactly what day? Well, that might be up for interpretation. The Mustang's grand debut came on April 14, 1964 for the press and April 17, 1964 for the general public.
Because Ford wanted to have examples of the new Mustang in the dealerships for the launch, pre-production models were shipped out early to all dealerships across North America. To ensure that the dealerships received the cars in time, cars were sent to the furthest dealerships first. At the time, the furthest dealership was George G.R. Parsons Ford in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Ford shipped the very first Mustang, VIN 5F08F100001, to St. John’s where it was quickly spotted and sold to airline pilot Stanley Tucker on April 16, 1964.
The pre-production models were never meant to be sold. They were essentially practice cars for workers assembling them. They don’t have the quality of cars intended for sale. These examples of the new Mustang were intended to be just that – examples to be returned to the factory and then destroyed.
The pre-production models were never meant to be sold. They were essentially practice cars for workers assembling them. They don’t have the quality of cars intended for sale. These examples of the new Mustang were intended to be just that – examples to be returned to the factory and then destroyed.
When Ford heard that the first car built had been sold, they did their best to get it back. However, Tucker couldn’t be persuaded to sell it back just yet. It took two years and a new, fully loaded, 1966 model to change his mind..the one millionth Mustang ever built. The first Mustang built is now housed in the Henry Ford Museum.
Here in the United States, on April 15 a young school teacher, Gail Wise, walked into a Ford dealership in Chicago, her first paycheck in hand to purchase a car. Her one requirement – it had to be a convertible. Unfortunately, or fortunately for her, there weren’t any convertibles on the showroom floor but the salesman knew there were two new Mustangs in the back. Gail fell in love and purchased her convertible, driving it home that day…two days before the big reveal. 58 years later, Gail Wise still owns the vehicle with no intentions of selling it.
