As household a name as Folgers, Marlboro or Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, the Ford Mustang is the longest surviving of the affordable breed of classic American muscle cars. Sold always in coupe and most times in convertible and 2+2 fastback forms as well since its 1964 introduction, the Ford Mustang is the only one of the original pony cars to enjoy an uninterrupted production run. It hasn't been easy either, as oil crises, tightening emissions standards and corporate budget cuts have put the Mustang's future in doubt on more than one occasion. Ultimately, though, its iconic status within the Ford lineup and popularity with consumers has seen it through.
There have been many great Mustangs over the decades: Most revered as collector cars are the 1965-'70 Shelby Mustangs, the '69 and '70 Boss 302 and 429 and the '69 and '70 Mach 1. Even newer versions are revered, such as the 1984-'86 turbocharged SVOs, 2000 Cobra R and 2003 and '04 supercharged SVT Cobra. Most Mustangs have had far more pedestrian credentials, of course, but the Mustang has long been the choice of consumers seeking power and style in a rear-wheel-drive coupe, fastback or convertible. The current-generation Ford Mustang is easily the best ever from the standpoints of performance, refinement and day-to-day livability.
Completely redesigned for 2005, the Mustang moved to an all-new chassis after a 25-year run on the late-'70s-era Fox-body platform. Ford's pony car still uses rear-wheel drive and a fairly basic solid-axle rear suspension, but ride quality and handling are more precisely controlled than on any previous Mustang. The car's styling pays homage to the famed Mustangs of the 1960s with its big grille, round headlights, high-mounted foglights and fastback roof line. The classic motif continues inside where an old-school dash, steering wheel and instrumentation are integrated into a modern, ergonomically friendly design. Some materials are low in quality, however, as Ford sought to keep the price tag low as well.
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