Ford Mustang Magic – How It All Began May 17, 2010
Ford Mustang Magic – How It All Began
Sep 13, 2014
The first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan, on March 9th 1964. A month later, on April 17th 1964, Mustang made its worldwide debut. http://www.shipcarsnow.com
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Ford Mustang Magic – How It All Began
May 17, 2010
A Union Pacific Company
Reminiscence...
• Ford Motor Company has sold well over 10 million Mustangs in the past 46 years and created:
– 100 million more memories of youthful indulgence,– magical first dates– unforgettable Friday night cruises.
• Now, as the fifth-generation 2011 Mustang rolls off the assembly line and into Ford dealership showrooms across the country, many who have experienced and reveled in the Mustang mystique think back to how it all started.
A Union Pacific Company
Mustang Mystique
• The first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan, on March 9th 1964. A month later, on April 17th 1964, Mustang made its worldwide debut. But, the journey from drawing board, to assembly line and to driveways all across the American landscape actually began many years before, in the fertile imagination of a young man named Lee Iacocca.
A Union Pacific Company
Iacocca joined the Ford organization in 1946
• Although trained as an engineer, he soon realized his personal passion and future was in sales. Iacocca spent years as a field manager helping dealers promote and sell some of Ford’s most undesirable products.
A Union Pacific Company
“56 for $56”
• In 1956, his “56 for $56” campaign, advertising that buyers could purchase a new 1956 Ford for only $56 per month, caught the attention of senior management. Robert McNamara, then vice president of Ford Division, summoned him to Detroit. Once there, Iacocca’s sales savvy soon helped him lap everyone else on the executive fast track. In 1960, Ford chairman Henry Ford II promoted him to Vice President and General Manager of the Ford Division.
A Union Pacific Company
Back Seat In A Sports Car?
• Iacocca had long thought that putting a back seat in a sports car would be a great idea. He reasoned that a well-styled, fun-to-drive compact car would appeal to America’s growing number of Baby Boomers.
A Union Pacific Company
World War II Inspired
• After a number of presentations to Ford board members, the first prototype 1962 Mustang I was produced. It was a mid-engine two-seat roadster, named after the legendary World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane. On October 7th 1962, race driver Dan Gurney drove the Mustang I prototype over the U. S. Grand Prix course at Watkins Glen, New York.
A Union Pacific Company
A Practical Sports Car?
• Iacocca, however, wanted a more practical vehicle, one that would be cheap to produce and generate volume sales. Based on his time in the field as a Ford district manager, he knew its ultimate success would depend on three things: great styling, strong performance and a low price.
A Union Pacific Company
1964 ½ Mustang Is Born
• After countless re-designs, the 1964 ½ Mustang emerged. The chassis, suspension and drive train components were taken from the Ford Falcon, but the finished vehicle featured a long sweeping hood, full-wheel cutouts, a functional rear seat and high-mounted grill with a free-spirited Mustang as its centerpiece. Multiple extra-cost options gave the buyer an opportunity to customize their Mustang and also generate generous extra profits for Ford.
A Union Pacific Company
Cougar...Thunderbird...T-5?
• Automotive legend has it that other names considered for the first Mustang included the Cougar, Thunderbird II, T-Bird II, Torino, Turino and T-5. Ford executives agreed that the name Mustang was a perfect fit for the low slung, dramatically styled vehicle, but they objected to an image of a World War II fighter plane as the logo.
A Union Pacific Company
...And The Rest Is History
• After months of debate, it was decided that the image of the galloping horse best represented the free spirit of the car and its intended buyers. To further drive home the message, the galloping horse on the Mustang logo is shown running the opposite way that trained racehorses run around a track.
A Union Pacific Company
About
• We are a Union Pacific Company – Trusted name & leader in transportation– Delivering over 6 million cars annually
• We deliver autos nationwide– Speedy truck delivery– Economical and green rail options
• We make it easy to ship cars!– Easy-to-use, no hassle, online
www.shipcarsnow.com– One call, we do it all 1-866-207-3360
Related Documents
