Ford, which was founded in 1903 and is still one of the most important names in the automobile industry, has come up with car models that will never be forgotten. One of those models was the Mustang, which has a special place for car enthusiasts. The company officially introduced the 2024 model Mustang at an event held today.
The Mustang has always been Ford’s favorite, and it looks like it will always be. Because the 2024 model Mustang enchanted with both its design and technical details. So how did Ford Mustang come to these days? Now we will take you on a time travel and take a closer look at Ford’s iconic model. If you’re ready, let’s start…
Here is the history of the Ford Mustang
The Mustang, which we had the chance to meet for the first time in 1964, has been extensively renewed 6 times, including the version introduced today. The muscular car, which has not worn out for years, has appeared with intermediate versions over the years. The car, which always maintains its unique style, has also managed to enchant the consumer with its powerful engine.
first generation | 1964-1973 |
second generation | 1974-1978 |
third generation | 1979-1993 |
fourth generation | 1994-2004 |
fifth generation | 2005-2014 |
sixth generation | 2015-2023 |
seventh generation | 2024 – |
First generation Mustang (1964-1973)
The first Ford Mustang, which was put on the market, was showing its difference even in those years. The car, which has a not bad design, made the viewers look again with its 3-door structure. The horse-shaped logo that became iconic with the Mustang, the muscular and simple structure were among the prominent design details.
The rear design of the vehicle was as unique as its front design. The round logo placed under the tailgate has been preferred by the vast majority of Ford Mustangs released over the years.
The first Mustang attracted attention not only for its design, but also for its engine. Using a 100-horsepower 2.8-liter flat engine in the base model, the company preferred 4.2 and 4.7-liter V8 engines in upper equipment packages. The car, which fascinated itself with its sound and high speed for that period, managed to become a bestseller as soon as it was launched. Pleased with the sales figures, Ford improved the vehicle a bit and launched the second generation Mustang in 1974.
Second generation Mustang (1974-1978)
The second generation Ford Mustang, which we met in 1974, was a continuation of the first generation in terms of design language. Ford engineers, who went to define the muscles, started their work from the hood. The headlights were larger than the first generation, and the hood was protruding. The 1974 Mustang, whose bumper design was also renewed, now had extra lighting. The three-door structure continued to be protected.
The rear design of the vehicle was quite different from the model released in 1964 and was considered modern for the time. However, this generation Mustang did not have a circular logo, instead it was content with a small Ford lettering.
The interior design of the second generation Ford Mustang had also changed. Moving away from luxury, the company filled the interior of the vehicle with indicators. The reason for all this simplification was that Ford preferred the “Pinto” compact car platform in the second generation Mustang. Thanks to this platform, the company was able to produce different versions of the second generation Mustang.
The 1974 Ford Mustang appeared as an economy model, not for power. The 4.9-liter V8 engine was used in the vehicle, but the power of this engine was also quite weak. The Mustang, where we can see the maximum 140 horsepower, said goodbye to the roads after a few years of adventure and left the place to the third generation Mustang…
Third generation Mustang (1979-1993)
Ford was trying something on the Mustang. The model, which was released in 1979, was far from “muscle”. Adopting a two-piece headlight design for modernization, the car came with a prominently angled front overhang.
The third generation Ford Mustang no longer had a sporty look. In those years, this was relatively acceptable. However, the interior design did not satisfy the consumer either. Because the indicators had increased and the interior of the vehicle was now literally depicting a family car. The car, which can be purchased in coupe or hatchback versions, nevertheless managed to sell for more than 10 years.
By the way; The third generation Ford Mustang also offered low-power engine options like the second generation. Equipped with a V8 engine towards its last years, the car finally reached 240 horsepower.
Fourth generation Mustang (1994-2004)
In 1994, we had the opportunity to meet a brand new Ford Mustang. The horse-shaped logo associated with the Mustang was back, and the muscles were starting to show themselves. But this time there was another problem. The 1994 Mustang looked like it belonged to a European manufacturer rather than the US. Still, considering previous generations, the 1994 Mustang was acceptable.
The fourth generation Mustang had an impressive stance with the ventilation holes on its side body. The Mustang, which impresses the consumer with its race car-like design, would also be unique with its engine.
The interior of the fourth generation Ford Mustang was not bad at all. The signs, which were in shambles in the previous generation, took on a tidy shape this time. The analog display screen was placed in front of the driver’s eyes. The engineers, who placed the clock on the upper part of the center console, added units such as air conditioning and radio just below the clock. The fourth generation of the Mustang seemed to have evolved in every sense.
Fourth-generation Mustang models have been equipped with engines that have gotten stronger over the years. Having a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 215 horsepower at the first stage, Mustang was offered with turbocharged engines reaching 390 horsepower in the following years. The unique power of the Mustang brought this vehicle to a completely different point for car enthusiasts.
Fifth generation Mustang (2005-2014)
When we came to 2004, we met that Ford Mustang that was engraved in everyone’s memory. Launched as a 2005 model, the Mustang was recreated, inspired by the first Mustang in the 1960s. The fifth-generation Mustang, with its unique design, reasserted that it was American. The car, which has coupe and convertible versions, appeared everywhere from video games to movies.
The rear design of the Ford Mustang was generally the same as the first and second generation Mustangs. The design language referring to those years was being launched as the rebirth of the iconic model. Because it looked very stylish and managed to get full marks from consumers.
The interior of the fifth-generation Mustang wasn’t bad, either. The first detail we encountered in the interior design, which seemed quite modern for those years, was the display screen, which was even more tidy than the previous generation. In the center console, the air conditioning and radio units were simply modernized. This vehicle was just “perfect” for many car enthusiasts.
Equipped with a 210-horsepower engine in 2005, the Ford Mustang became a beast in the truest sense of the word in the following years. Introducing the renewed Shelby GT500 version of Mustang in 2013, Ford appeared in this vehicle with a 662 horsepower V8 engine. This 5.8-liter engine could go over 320 km/h.
Sixth generation Mustang (2015-2023)
In 2015, Ford launched the latest Mustang. The automobile that became the synonym of “muscle” was the result of Ford’s lessons learned from 50 years of work. The sixth generation Mustang was absolutely flawless and mesmerized. The front design, which looked harder than ever, was most enchanting with its headlights.
The sixth-generation Mustang was so unique that it stood out wherever it was found. Moreover, after the introduction of this model, we witnessed that especially the backlighting design was tried to be copied. The vehicle looked so good that it could not be criticized anywhere.
The Mustang, which has been on the market since 2015, was also unique with its interior design. The sports car with analog gauges now had a touchscreen infotainment screen and looked very stylish for those years. The car, which also has the ambient lighting package, is among the most admired models even today.
The engine options of the sixth generation Ford Mustang were quite extensive. So much so that a consumer could choose a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, and a consumer could choose a 5.0-liter V8 engine. Aren’t they enough? If you want, you can also choose the Shelby GT500, which was introduced in 2019 and comes with a full 760 horsepower engine…
And September 15, 2022: The seventh generation Ford Mustang is introduced!
Ford officially introduced the seventh generation Mustang, which was launched as the 2024 model, at an event held on September 15, 2022. The brand new Mustang, which comes with a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine with at least 480 horsepower, seems to be popular again when it is released…
You can find all the details about the 2024 Ford Mustang here.