While the things you mention are neat, they're just indicative of the car itself - not the reasons for its popularity.

The reason these cars were so good is simple. And I mean the car itself is simple. It had clean, fun-looking styling without being overdone. It didn't have tons of chrome (especially for its time). It didn't have big overhangs. But it did have a spirited, lightweight V8 engine that loved to rev, it had light weight, and it was just fun to drive.

In part because of that simplicity, it was a 'blank canvas' for guys that wanted to make it even better.

And last but not least - there were lots of options, so your car could come exactly the way you wanted it to. Sleek, performance oriented fastback with a HiPo? Sure! Cute grocery getter with a nice stereo and 6 banger for cheap? You bet!

There were other cute little fun-to-drive cars. But none of them did each part of that formula in such a simple, reliable, and fun way as the Mustang, for as little money.

 

I think some had to do with the excitement. When these came out, Ford guy fell in love, Chevy guys respected, even my brother, a Chevy lover bought a new Mustang in 64.
I know for a fact when I saw that Fastback coming down the farm drive I fell in love with the Mustang.
I guess the overall acceptance of this new concept was a driving force that is still with us.

 

No offense, but your three threads created to date seem to be you "doing research". Nothing wrong with that, just trying to understand what your interests are in Mustangs and VMF in particular. Your first thread ended when you were asked a similar question.

 

Anyone here ever release a chatbot onto a forum for no good reason? Anyone know the purpose of doing so?
Just asking, for no particular reason. At all.

 

I thought the exact same thing

Chris

 

Crafting a truly timeless car design from scratch is about as easy as teaching a hippopotamus to tap dance. Back in the day, car designers weren’t just “car designers” - they were painters, architects, sculptors, people with the kind of academic heft that made their work transcend mere function. Today, the field is so specialized that many designers have all the depth of a puddle after a light drizzle. It’s rather like those journalism degrees that produce “journalists” who’ve never read a classic text or studied a lick of philosophy. They can rattle off headlines, but can't add depth.

 

Simplicity and well-balanced design as mentioned above were key. IIRC, the 65 Mustang was the first mass-produced American car where the body rolled inboard of the tires. Harder to keep clean, but gave the car a sporty image related to its namesake, the P-51 Mustang.

 

Except that it wasn't named after the P51 Mustang. There's a reason there's a running horse on it, and not wings.

 

Another question, when people keep replying to a banned bot's dumb pointless thread is it better to close the thread or let it roll for more replies.

 

close it.

 

The pony logo, obvs…

 

We don't need no stinkin' AI research bots. Close it down.

 

The OPs question is interesting tho, cuz John Clor gave a presentation at ShelbyFest in May pretty much on that very subject. And it was phenomenal.

 

What makes Mustangs so timeless?

Your mother.

 

No, your thinking about trains. His mother was a real engine.

 

The fact that, in '66 (?)they sold over 600K, followed by a prolific aftermarket of Vendors, it's super design and mechanical simplicity, these made it a popular choice still 50+ years later. Even recent pathetic commercials are showing the Mustang, although there's denial in the omitted badging and emblems.

 

The Mustang has a distinctive enough look and no look alike cousins (even the Cougar looks different enough to not be mistaken as a Mustang). Most manufacturers kept the same platform car very similar. This is also why the VW Bug has such a following..... it can't be mistaken for any other car.

 

Siri on my new iPhone 16 with AI says this thread was not started by a chat-bot and that everything is going to be fine, just fine. Started by a chat-bot or not we on this forum can ramble on about nothing for months so I don't see any real harm? How many one post wonders have started threads that went on for pages of this forum before chat-bots even existed?

 

It's a Classic car that has NEVER stopped its product!
Unlike other muscle cars of the 60's.

 

A couple of votes to close the thread but more people blowing right past all the replies and just posting in reply to the first post. So I guess let it roll.

 

Yeah, why not let it roll? At least us "real" people can come and see what others have said at a later date....LOL...

 

For me it's mostly a case of nostalgia. Had great times when I bought my 66' coupe while in high school (1972) and those good times we had together never died in my heart. Although that car died of rust a few years later, it was the beginning of my life's fascination of early Mustangs. I'm approaching 70 and I still have two 65's in the stable that I've lovingly restored.

 

As stated by myself ad nauseam, I bought my 65 six banger Poppy Red coupe at 16 back in 74. Bought a stripped down black K code coupe and swapped everything over. Drove that car everywhere and drove it HARD. It to this day is the second greatest love of my life. Only reason I’m trying to build my current fastback is because the GREATEST love of my life said she was tired of hearing about the old one and to go out and get another one.

 

BOTS GATHERING INTEL...

 

Not sure if this is Intel or how a Bot would use it. An alien gathering this as Intel would be scratching it's probiscis and thinking WTF?

 

It's a coming of age story. Teenage boy looking for freedom, excitement, and girls. No mater how old you get the teenage boy lurks in memory.

 

Yep, I relate to this comment big time. I just moved to a new town when my Dad transferred from his old Army unit. I was a freshman in high school and the neighbor across the street was a senior in the same high school. He had a 65 coupe with a 289 and a 3 speed. Man, he treated me like his little brother. He gave me rides to school in the 65. On the weekends he would take me to hang out with the other seniors while they over looked the city and listened to AC/DC, Van Halen, Judas Priest (I won't mention what else they were doing LMAO!). And other times he took me to the arcade.

It was an awesome time for me. I had a lot of really good memories tied to that 65 Mustang. So, when I turned 16 in 1983 my friend was getting ready to sell that Mustang. He said he would let me have it for $300. My parents were out of town. They came home Sunday night and we talked. My parents said I could buy the Mustang. So, on Monday, when my friend came home from work, I told him I could buy the car. He told me his boss agreed to buy the car for $600. Damn It!!!!!

After that I kept looking and finally, in 1989, I was able to get the elusive 65 Mustang. And I still have that car today. If I could, I would be buried in that car LMAO!!!! However, it will most likely go to my oldest.

Mustang Forever!!!!

 

Honestly I think it's just culture defined the early Mustang as a symbol of cool, youth and freedom and that is what you buy when you own a Mustang.

I'll never understand why a potential car buyer in 1965 would have ever chosen a Mustang coupe over a comparable Falcon hardtop. The Falcon wins in looks, interior space and I bet price. The only logical explanation is marketing. That same marketing/branding is still there.

 

Honestly I think it's just culture defined the early Mustang as a symbol of cool, youth and freedom and that is what you buy when you own a Mustang.

I'll never understand why a potential car buyer in 1965 would have ever chosen a Mustang coupe over a comparable Falcon hardtop. The Falcon wins in looks, interior space and I bet price. The only logical explanation is marketing. That same marketing/branding is still there.

The 64.5 - 66 Mustangs were just re-skinned 63 Falcons. I have two 66 coupes and one 65 fastback. If you pop the center cap off of a 66 Mustang horn ring, on the underside it says "Falcon". And I love everyone of them.
TB

 

I think the first Mustang that I ever saw was one that my 5th grade teacher bought and I've been hooked ever since. The Mustang looked different than anything that was ever made before it. It was sporty looking and the Fastback took that to another level. The entry level Mustang had a price that most people could afford and most people of that era had the pleasure of riding in one.

The first Mustang I ever rode in was a 65, six cylinder, three speed, Rangoon Red Fastback that my brother bought, slightly used. He was looking at a blue convertible but I like to think I helped him with his decision to buy the Fastback.

The first Mustang that I owned was a 67 GTA when I was in high school. I'd sure love to have that car right now.

I know there are quite a few younger people that love the vintage Mustang but I think as the older owners pass on that the popularity will diminish quite a bit.

 

Its the ol WHO, WHERE , WHEN, WHY. Weird as SHI-

 

Chat Bot will have more post than Barti before you know it!