The 1966 model of Mustang underwent very few changes as far as performance was concerned. The car was flying off the showroom floor so the changes that were given to the “Stang” were mostly cosmetic. While the sheet metal body did not change, Ford gave customers the ability to customize their own Mustang with an options list of 70 (up from 50 in the previous year).

There was one feature change that is vital to mention. The gauge cluster was redesigned so that all vestiges of the Falcon were removed from the Mustang. The “Stang” was now its own.

There was a new option for convertible owners that were offered by dealers. The roof was removable allowing them to swap their rag top for a hardtop.

Ford’s 1965 production of the Mustang offered a few more choices for its many fans. The 2+2 fastback was introduced and Carroll Shelby introduced America to his legendary GT-350 fastback model. Ford also added optional power front disc brakes and upped the performance to the Mustang and added a couple of high performance engines to the options. The 289 ci V-8 with 271 hp gave the Mustang more power and Americans loved it!

Public response to the Ford Mustang was astounding. Even Ford was shocked at America’s voracious appetite for the Mustang. A total of 559,451 Mustangs were sold for the 1965 model year.

Of course, when you put a sporty car with a high performance engine on the road, especially more than 500,000 of them, people are going to race them. In response to this call, Ford introduced the two seatter ‘65 Shelby GT 350 with the 306 HP version of the HiPo motor. This allowed Ford to actively compete with the Chevy Corvette racing head to head.

An interesting fact is that Ford never called Mustangs “64″ or “64 ½” models. These cars are actually ‘65 models, but when those Mustangs became classics, collectors used these designations to be able to differentiate the early ‘65 models (‘64 and ‘64 ½) from the late ‘65 models.

On April 17, 1964, the first Ford Mustang was unveiled at the World Exhibition of New York and sported a base price of $2,360.00. That is the day that America fell in love with an American legend.

There were only two models offered in that first year, the convertible, and the coupe. The fastback did not make its appearance until the 1965 model year. Both models of the 64 ½ sported a long hood and shortened rear deck. Both had wrap around chrome bumpers, full wheel covers, and a chrome grill that featured that famous running horse. Because it was made before September 1964, it is considered to be a 1964 ½, so the first Mustangs are called 64 ½.

In an effort to reduce production costs of the early mustangs, many of its components, such as the drive train, were copied from the Falcon. The Falcon lent some of its sporty interior ideas to the new Mustang as well. A horizontal speed-meter, two seats in front and a small rear seat as well as a deep shaped steering wheel gave it a super sporty, fun look.

In those early days, the buyer would sleep in his car until his check had cleared as insurance against the car being sold to anyone else. And the love affair with this great little car has not wavered. Americans love their Mustangs!