Ford Mustang through the years

Since 1964, the Ford Mustang has been an iconic sight on American highways. From the classic muscle cars of the 1960s to the sporty speed machines of today, the Mustang has gone through a number of different styles in its nearly fifty years on the road. Take a tour of the historic Mustang, from the early 60s concept cars to the high performance vehicles of today.

1962

The original concept for the Mustang came out in 1962. Like many concept models, the prototype Mustang was more like a rocket ship than a car. But many distinctive features of the Mustang were already apparent.

1964

The first Mustangs came out in 1964, just five months before the production of '65 vehicles began. This odd timing earned the first generation of Mustangs the nickname "64-and-a-half" year models.

1964

The Mustang debuted at a price of $2,368. The car was a hit immediately, selling over a million vehicles in its first 24 months.

1965

Shelby American, a car customizing company, entered the Mustang's world in 1965. The Shelby Mustang, a higher power version of the standard Ford Mustang, would be a staple throughout the Mustang's life. Seen here is the Shelby Mustang GT350, the first of what would be known as "Cobras."

1965

The first full year of Mustang production was drastically ramped up to meet a soaring demand. The '65 model was a refinement of the original.

1969

The 1969 model Mustangs were refitted to be heavier, more powerful, and more aggressive. The cars to come out during the following years would be some of the most iconic American muscle cars on the road.

1969

1969 was the first year of the "Mach 1" model Mustangs. Like the Shelby cars, these Mustangs were high-performance models that offered more power, more speed, and more attitude. The "Mach 1" series ran from 1969 to 1979.

1970

The "Mach 1" was designed as an "in-between" model between the standard Mustangs and the racing-oriented Boss 302's. Both came equipped with the "Shaker hood", the distinctive air intake scoop mounted on top of the hood.

1970

One of the most famous American muscle cars, the 1970 Mustang Boss 302. The Boss 302 was designed for racing, and featured the most power of any Mustang models at the time. The cars are collectors' items now, but in 1970 they sold for $3,720.

1976

The mid-seventies saw the introduction of the "Mustang II." The main goal of this reinvention was to reduce the size of the car to make it more efficient. The '70s Mustangs were smaller than previous models. One of the most famous models of the '70s was the 1976 Cobra II, which was featured on the original "Charlie's Angels."

1978

Ford debuted the "King Cobra" in 1978.

1980

Photo provided by Ford.

1983

Photo provided by Ford.

1991

Photo provided by Ford.

1998

Photo provided by Ford.

1999

Thousands of Ford Mustang fans - and nearly 6,000 classic Mustangs - gathered at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, Saturday, April 17, 1999, to salute the 35th birthday of the American icon. The 70,000-member Mustang Club of America hosted the weekend show.

2000

Photo provided by Ford.

2001

Photo provided by Ford.

2005

Photo provided by Ford.

2007

Photo provided by Ford.

2012

Photo provided by Ford.

2014

The 2014 Ford Mustang.