Ford Mustang Cars For Sale In United Kingdom

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In the early 60s, in an effort to keep up with its main competitors, Chevrolet, Ford introduced the Mustang. The car that was destined to become one of the most successful and revered in the Ford range. During development, the car bore the name Cougar (panther), and the Mustang name was given preference before launching into mass production, for the similarity of the model with the P-31 Mustang fighter during the war. The emblem in the form of a galloping horse was chosen a little later, based on the name of the car.

The Mustang was first introduced to the public in 1964. In two versions - as ddoor sedan and convertible.

The market reacted to the appearance of the new model with great enthusiasm, the millionth mark was overcome in two years.

The car looked great: low, sporty, with a long hood and a sharply chopped off rear. The Americans liked this look, but for the sake of fairness it should be said that the Europeans took the Mustang with a bang. The car conquered the inhabitants of the Old World with its powerful engine, stylish design and reasonable price.

Key to the Mustang's overwhelming success is its huge list of custom-madeequipment, thanks to which one customer could order a copy with a modest appearance, a spartan interior and an unassuming engine, while another received a Mustang with a body painted in metallic paint, lavishly decorated with chrome, with a powerful engine, sports gearbox, leather interior and air conditioning. No wonder one of the advertising slogans sounded like this: "We will make a Mustang especially for you."

"Ordinary" buyers in April 1965 were offered the "GT" package, which included: tuned suspension, sharper steeringsteering, disc brakes on all wheels, dual exhaust system and special body paint. By 1966, the individualization of Mustangs reached new heights - according to advertising brochures, the interior of the car in style and colors could be decorated in one of 34 options.

This was followed by sports modifications, developed in conjunction with the famous company Carroll Shelby, through the efforts of the specialists of which the legendary Cobra was created. In the performance of the Shelby GT-350, the car's engine produced 306 hp. with., and in a special racing Shelby GT-350R & mdash; all 360 hp Only in the 1966 model year, a Paxton mechanical supercharger was also installed on the GT-350, which made it possible to increase the power to 420-430 hp when the engine reached a certain speed.

Over time, the need to update certain details increased. These decisions affected the more powerful 1966 Karrol Shelby GT 500. The single horizontal bar on the radiator grille has disappeared, air vents have been added to the decorative air intakes at the rear wheels, and the trims and decorations have been reshuffled.At the same time, the 6-cylinder engine was standardized. The V8 engine series continued to exist. Of course, if someone was not satisfied with the power of 271 hp, then he could order the Cobra equipment from Ford dealers, increasing the engine power to 350 hp.

For the 1967 model year, the Mustang added a few centimeters in size, which entailed changing the body panels.

The range of power units consisted of eight: from the "six" with a volume of 3.3 liters and a capacity of 115 liters. with. to the new 7.0-liter V8 with 355 hp. Installation is latestit became possible only by lengthening the engine compartment and only on the Mustang - Shelby GT-500.

Another option is of great interest - the FMX hydromechanical transmission, in which gear changes could be carried out both automatically and manually.

In the same 1967, Karrol Shelby transferred all rights to manufacture the Mustang with the Shelby prefix to the Ford Motor Corporation, refusing to participate in the preparation of subsequent sports versions of the car.

In 1968, two new eight-cylinder engines appeared. Now the potential buyer could chooseof ten power units with volumes of 3.3, 4.7, 5.0, 6.4 and 7.0 liters, with the following power options: 115, 120, 195, 230, 250, 271, 320, 325, 335 and 390 horsepower.

In 1968, a modification of the Shelby GT-500KR was released with a seven-liter Ram Air 428 Cobra Jet engine with a special air intake system, which, with an official power of 325 hp. with. easily developed 410 hp. with.

In 1969, Mustang was waiting for a second and this time a major overhaul. With the same wheelbase, the length of the car increased by 10 cm, and the weight - by 60 kg; new versions appeared in the lineup - cheap E, expensive Grande and Mach 1 with 335-horsepowerthe driver.

The appearance of the Boss series aroused great interest. The Mustang Boss 302 with a 290-horsepower engine was intended to fight the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 in the Trans Am series races, which took place on oval tracks.

Mustang Boss 429, created to participate in the NASCAR series. The car was equipped with an eight-cylinder engine with a capacity of 375 liters. with., developing a torque of 611 Nm at 3400 rpm, and many parts were made of light alloys. The installation of a large powerful engine led to a revision of the front suspension, as a result of which the shock absorber mounting points were changedin, and the double wishbones were lowered by 25 mm. The Boss 429 also gets a sporty four-speed transmission, oil cooler and the best interior. Externally, the car was distinguished by a hood with a huge air intake, spoilers and widened wheel arches. In conclusion, we add that the Mustang Boss 429 was unrivaled in terms of steering reliability on twisty roads.

In 1974, a completely new model appears, the era of the second generation Mustang begins. The car has decreased in size, but retained all three bodies in its range. Following, into thisIn the same year, varieties of the second generation Mach I and Cobra models appeared.

In 1978, the Mustang III debuted in Geneva. The car is characterized by angular shapes and a body significantly reduced to the dimensions of European cars.

In 1982, coupe and targa bodies appear.

1983 - the Konvertible open model was released.

Ford begins production of high-speed modifications of the Mustang. In 1984 the SVO model was introduced. A year later, the Cobra and Mach modifications appeared. The car has been completely rebuilt.

The Mustang GT Cabrio debuted in 1985.

In 1986saw the light of the car with the designation LX, which has sharpened body features.

In 1992, a prototype of the Mach III was shown in Detroit.

From 1993 to this day, the Mustang IV has been produced, stylized as a 1964 car.

In 1997, the fourth generation underwent some changes. The exterior elements of the body have been updated, it has received a new rear vertical three-lane lighting technology (previously it was horizontal).

In 1998, the 320-horsepower SVT modification debuted. However, as it turned out later, the SVT engine does not develop the declared power, and lvolume of 1999, the production of this modification had to be curtailed.

In 2000, the fourth generation Mustang gained a more formidable appearance: new headlights and bumpers, a differently profiled hood, larger air intakes in front of the rear wheels and steeply protruding wheel arches. The traditional emblem - a swift horse - was chained in a chrome rim, like on the first generation Mustang. The changes also affected the engine. The redesigned 4.6-liter V8 now develops 260 hp. with. and accelerates to 240 km / h.

In November 2003, the Las Vegas corporationation Ford has unveiled a new version of the famous Mustang, the debut of which is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the release of one of the first cars with the SVT index. The current Mustang SVT Cobra comes in two versions: coupe and convertible. All in all, they will be produced in 2003 copies - in exact accordance with the year of release of the anniversary series. Under the hood - boosted by a volumetric supercharger up to 390 liters. with. 32-valve V8 4.6 Triton engine and independent rear suspension. It is possible to order a version with a manual 5-speed transmission.