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MUSTANGS THE AMERICAN CLASSIC
by
Dane Allman

Round Round – get around – I get around; were the Beach Boy sounds heard over the AM radio when cruising in the early Mustangs. Lee Iacocca and his design team truly hit the mark and raised the bar with the genius advent of this true soon to be classic.



From the simple but bold grill with the flared chrome horse with its eye on the side of the road longing the freedom of the green pasture beyond to the sleek but powerful lines that just screamed “FUN” – this two-seater was the automotive purist’s enthusiastic choice in the mid 60’s.



Straddled in the lightweight chassis and body the hyper little 289 small block V8 had enough ponies to chirp the tires in 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear and was a joy to drive.



This inevitable classic was available early on in the standard straight back or much more aggressive looking fastback and was also available in my personal favorite, the lighter and slimly rear-seated convertible, as well.



On the track or off, stock or modified, this right-on-target, ahead of its time creation was a real head-turner and crowd pleaser.



Girls wanted to ride in or drive them and guys ached to own them and fix them up with the hottest Mags and meats of the day. They adorned the exterior with racing stripes and high gloss lacquer finishes buffed to a mirror finish. Some cut precision holes in the hoods to allow the Air rams to peek ominously through. Most, however, were happy with endless tinkering under the hoods with after market bolt-ons. Race-ready Holly carburetors, and exhaust modifications which drastically increased this magically configured and potent little engine’s breathing capacity turning them into fire-breathing animals were the order off the day.



Obviously there were other engine and transmission packages offered, both smaller and larger, but the 289 C.I. with either the 4 speed or automatic remains somehow my favorite.



With a few minor after market ignition components and possibly replacing the intake and exhaust manifolds, the drivers of the day were set to cruise the local haunts of Anytown, USA.



One of the most popular American manufactured automobiles of all time – the Ford Mustang has endured countless model changes and has well earned new fans in each generation for nearly half a century.

After a not so impressive line in the 90’s the latest models of super cool and well appointed Stangs of the 21st century are truly mind boggling. They have the cleanest and most aerodynamic shapes in the vehicle’s history. The comfortable leather seating and wholly redesigned interiors match the vast increase in stock HP production in the big bores. The finely re-tuned suspension capable of handling both the twisty turns and G’s of the local race tracks and city roads alike, are much improved over prior models and truly add to the car’s comfort, responsiveness and thrill of driving this enduring and masterfully refined American motor car classic.