Generation of Mustangs

46addict

13726548
Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Posts
1,832
Reaction score
56
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
I have seen the internet refer to the S550s as "sixth gens" and I am wondering how it arrived at that. The only way to do that is if I group the 64 1/2 to 70 cars in one, and combine the Mustang II with the rest of the fox body years. This makes the S197s the fifth gen with the S550s being the sixth.

Has anyone dealt with the first two "generations" enough to know the differences? Are they actually based on the same platform? Are the 69-70 Mustangs based on the same old Falcon chassis the 64.5-66 cars ran on?

1) 64 1/2-70
2) 71-73
3) 74-93
4) 94-04
5) 05-14
6) 15+
 
Last edited:

Norm Peterson

corner barstool sitter
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Posts
3,615
Reaction score
326
Location
RIP - You will be missed
Has anyone dealt with the first two "generations" enough to know the differences? Are they actually based on the same platform? Are the 69-70 Mustangs based on the same old Fairmont chassis the 64.5-66 cars ran on?
The early cars were derived from the Falcon, not the Fairmont.

It was the Fox-body that came out of the Fairmont.


Norm
 

rjyote

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
Posts
90
Reaction score
1
The 64.5-73 cars actually have four distinct generations, as they are all significantly different from each other. It breaks down like this:

-64.5-66
-67-68
-69-70
-71-73

Additionally, Ford conveniently changed their anniversary years in order to favor the 15 as the "50th anniversary" car. Consider this:

-All 99 V6 and GT cars have a 35th anniversary emblem. There is also a 35th anniversary special edition GT.
-All 04 V6 and GT cars have a 40th anniversary emblem.
-All 09 V6 (with the possible exception of the Pony Package) and GT cars have a 45th anniversary emblem.
-The 14 has no 50th anniversary anything attached to it.
-The 15 is promoted as the 50th rendition of the Mustang, in total disregard to their previous math. There is also a 15 50th anniversary special edition GT.
 
Last edited:

46addict

13726548
Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Posts
1,832
Reaction score
56
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
That's what I was thinking too and it's what led me to start this thread. A 65 fastback looks nothing like a 70 and it is almost blasphemous to put them all in one group.

The S550s are an eighth gen at best, but that's just my opinion.
 

Mach2burnout

05 Redfire GT
Joined
May 16, 2011
Posts
4,799
Reaction score
912
Location
Central Louisiana
The chassis on the 64.5 - 70 was pretty much the same with subtle differences. Big differences in the body. 71-73 were almost identical except for minor body changes. Mostly bumpers. But still "basically" the same chassis. However, the 64.5-66 cars shared almost all parts, 67-68 shared a little less. 68-69 shared a lot of chassis/suspension parts but on a few body parts. 69-70 shared some chassis/suspension parts and the basic body structure and doors, but none other of the body parts were shared. With exception of the 69 Boss 429 which had 70 style 1/4 panels. 71-73 basically shared most of the 70 suspension parts.

Basically just an evolution of the 1st gen just like the 05-14 was the evolution of the 5th gen. And the 78-93 was of the fox body.

Sent from iPhone
 
Last edited:

06 T-RED S/C GT

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Posts
2,270
Reaction score
370
Location
Carnegie, PA
The auto industry has always worked in two different timing realms, 'model year' and 'calendar year.' Calendar year is what the world normally runs on. The first Mustang was, in fact vinned a 1965 model year car but it was introduced early in the calendar year (April instead of the traditional September). It was actually the media that first began referring to the first Mustang as a 1964.5 model but the original Mustang was not officially given that model year designation by Ford..


So the "1964-1/2" Mustang is branded as such by non-official sources such as historians, enthusiasts, and owners trying to identify the early build cars..
 

rjyote

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
Posts
90
Reaction score
1
I believe it was the MCA that first used the term "1964 1/2" Mustang. The VIN and window sticker all identified them as 1965 models. The same holds true for the 1985 1/2 SVO (minus the MCA connection).
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Posts
2,270
Reaction score
370
Location
Carnegie, PA
You pretty much posted what I had already stated in regards to the first Mustang being identified as a 1965 model according to the VIN..

The point is this.. When the first Mustang was launched on April 17th of 1964, it was officially designated by Ford as an early 1965 model and not as a 1964.5 model..

Therefore Ford got it right when they designated the 2015 S550 as the official 50th anniversary edition for the Ford Mustang..
 

46addict

13726548
Joined
Aug 25, 2016
Posts
1,832
Reaction score
56
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
That still doesn't explain how the 09 cars wore a 45th anniversary badge, but at the same time I see how the '15s got the 50th badge now.
 

rjyote

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
Posts
90
Reaction score
1
Therefore Ford got it right when they designated the 2015 S550 as the official 50th anniversary edition for the Ford Mustang..

No, 2014 was the 50th model year. They got it right in 99, 04, and 09. The 2015 being designated as the 50th anniversary was simply a marketing ploy. Sure, 1965 plus 50 equals 2015. But in model years the 2015 was the 51st.
 

MechE

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2015
Posts
259
Reaction score
2
Location
Southern CT
No, 2014 was the 50th model year. They got it right in 99, 04, and 09. The 2015 being designated as the 50th anniversary was simply a marketing ploy. Sure, 1965 plus 50 equals 2015. But in model years the 2015 was the 51st.

Or 51st and a half.
 

JimC

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2007
Posts
2,339
Reaction score
720
No, 2014 was the 50th model year. They got it right in 99, 04, and 09. The 2015 being designated as the 50th anniversary was simply a marketing ploy. Sure, 1965 plus 50 equals 2015. But in model years the 2015 was the 51st.
No, there was not a 1964 model year. The Mustang model year started with 1965, not 1964. You will not find a Mustang title that says "1964" for the model year, calendar year yes but not model year.

So the 2015 model year is the 50th. The 45th and such were off for the model year, and were done by calendar.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Back
Top