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With the 50th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang just around the corner, Ford Motor Company released this interesting chart chronicling the Mustang from its inception. It includes both a visual representation of a model that represents each year as well as a brief description of the highlights from each year. We’ve chosen a few notable model years to focus on ourselves as shown below.
1967 was the year the 2+2 model went from a semi-notchback to a full on fastback roof line which gave a sweeping, squatting, more racy stance to the body line. For you race car junkies, this is also the year that the very first Shelby GT500 was introduced, powered by a 428 CID V8 that made 355 hp.
In 1984 Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations department created the Mustang SVO with a turbocharged 2.3 liter four-cylinder engine also upgrading tires and brakes along with a dual rear wing spoiler. The SVO rivaled the GT for performance and market share. In 1987 the Mustang underwent a restyling to add the “aero” body. 1987 through 1993 become some of the most popular year “Fox-bodied” Mustangs to own for both consumer and racers.
1996 marks the first year of the modular 4.6 liter V8 engine in all Mustang GT’s and Cobras. This design, unlike the V8 it replaced makes use of an overhead cam configuration to open the intake and exhaust valves unlike the previous pushrod engine.
2004 marks the 300-millionth car produced by Ford, a 2004 Mustang GT convertible 40th anniversary edition. The 2004 Mustangs are the last cars ever built at Ford’s Dearborn Assembly plant in Michigan, which had produced every model year Mustang since the car’s inception. The all-new 2005 model begins production at the assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.
The ultimate Mustang – the 662 hp 2014 Ford Shelby GT500
The 2011 Mustang sees the return of the 5.0 badge with the brand new Coyote V8 while in 2013 the Shelby GT500 becomes the most powerful production V8 in the world with its 662 hp supercharged 5.8 liter engine.
The biggest and most anticipated milestone in Ford history is yet to come… the unveiling of the 2015 Mustang, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. There have been many rumors of what the 2015 may look and be like, but until Ford shows us the real thing it’s anyone’s guess what that car will bring to Mustang history.
