I know this is not a Shelby specific post, but I wanted to remind everyone that our wild stallion turned 47 years old today. On April 17th, 1964 the Mustang was officially unveiled at the New York World's Fair. What started out as a secretary's car, an inexpensive, sporty car targeted directly at the baby-boomer generation, has grown up to be an American icon. She's faced stiff competition, oil shortages, recessions, and many other potentially fatal challenges over the years. These have only served to make her stronger.
But as good, or as bad, as the Mustang has been over the years, she wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the fans like you. Her head has been on the chopping block more than once. In the 1980's, Ford brass had decided to 'modernize' the Mustang by giving her more efficient engines and front wheel drive. When the Mustang faithful found out, the letters writing campaign began, and the response was so overwhelming that Ford decided to keep producing a V8, rear drive Mustang and introduce what would have been the FWD 'Mustang' as a new vehicle, the Ford Probe, instead.
In the early 90's, the Mustang was once again the subject of death rumors. At that time, a little known Mustang fanatic inside Ford (let's call him Oscar) led a skunkworks team of engineers to give the old pony new life. Oscar has since become an icon in the Mustang's legendary history. You'll hear about Oscar occasionally in the Terminator forums, O. John Coletti.
Many of you have heard these stories before, and there are many more worth telling. However, we can never take it for granted that the newest members of the Mustang family know these stories. We must keep this flame burning brightly, and pass our passion on to the next generation, so that they may know and understand what we have fought for. Mustang will certainly face more challenges in the future.
Thank you to all who have kept the movement going. It's because if you that we can enjoy the GT500's and Bosses of today.
Oh, and once again, Happy Birthday Mustang!
But as good, or as bad, as the Mustang has been over the years, she wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the fans like you. Her head has been on the chopping block more than once. In the 1980's, Ford brass had decided to 'modernize' the Mustang by giving her more efficient engines and front wheel drive. When the Mustang faithful found out, the letters writing campaign began, and the response was so overwhelming that Ford decided to keep producing a V8, rear drive Mustang and introduce what would have been the FWD 'Mustang' as a new vehicle, the Ford Probe, instead.
In the early 90's, the Mustang was once again the subject of death rumors. At that time, a little known Mustang fanatic inside Ford (let's call him Oscar) led a skunkworks team of engineers to give the old pony new life. Oscar has since become an icon in the Mustang's legendary history. You'll hear about Oscar occasionally in the Terminator forums, O. John Coletti.
Many of you have heard these stories before, and there are many more worth telling. However, we can never take it for granted that the newest members of the Mustang family know these stories. We must keep this flame burning brightly, and pass our passion on to the next generation, so that they may know and understand what we have fought for. Mustang will certainly face more challenges in the future.
Thank you to all who have kept the movement going. It's because if you that we can enjoy the GT500's and Bosses of today.
Oh, and once again, Happy Birthday Mustang!
Last edited:
.
