Celebrating six decades of speed: The Ford Mustang turns 60

Celebrating six decades of speed: The Ford Mustang turns 60

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‍The Ford Mustang continues to be a cult icon in the world of classic cars, sought after by global collectors.‍

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Launched in 1964, this vehicle served as a catalyst for numerous rival models from other US carmakers, including Chevrolet's Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and the Dodge Challenger. 

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Despite the harsh competition, the Ford Mustang thrived and became what it is today. This year, the American sportscar is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Looking back, the Mustang has seen remarkable success, especially in the United States, where 418,812 units found homes in the first year while it topped the 1 million mark a year later. In 2018, it surpassed 10 million sales, making it the best-selling sportscar in the US. 

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For the first time in the history of the Mustang, the sixth generation introduced in 2016 was built in right-hand drive guise—a move that saw its initial introduction in Mzansi. Limited-edition variations of the standard Mustang have been available for the past eight years, including the Bullit, Mach 1, and California Special. All things considered, over 4,060 Mustang models have been sold in SA.  

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As a way of celebrating the sportscar’s 60th anniversary before the arrival of the new Mustang later this year, Ford has revealed its special Vermillion Red and Ebony Black logos, which are both inspired by the badging and wheel centre caps on the first Mustang model.

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The new Mustang range will consist of the GT and Dark Horse models, each with distinctive characters to set them apart. Both will make use of an advanced fourth-generation 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine with 362kW and 567Nm in the case of the GT and 372kW and 567Nm for the Dark Horse. 

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Speaking of the latter, Ford says it will have powertrain enhancements, unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars, and MagneRide shocks. Other features include a thicker, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in suede and finished with Bright Indigo Blue accent stitching, silver paddle shifters, a dedicated drive mode button at thumb’s reach, and a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster with customisable screens. 

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In a nutshell, the Ford Mustang stands as a remarkable sportscar that also serves as the flagship for the manufacturer’s entire range. Its iconic design makes it one of the most instantly recognisable cars on the road, with a dedicated fanbase. The forthcoming model promises to uphold this legacy.

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