It was way back in 1964 that the first series production Mustang – the pioneer of the muscle car genre – rolled out of Ford's plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Over half a century later, Ford has now produced the 10 millionth – yes, 10 millionth – Mustang. That's one crore Mustangs produced in 54 years.
Ford specced the 10 millionth Mustang to pay tribute to the first serialised example and rolled out a GT Convertible powered by a 460hp, 5.0-litre V8, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and finished in Wimbledon White. It is of the same colour as the first series production Mustang (VIN 001) built in 1964, which was powered by a 164hp V8 paired to a three-speed automatic transmission.
To mark the occasion, Ford had a celebration at its Flat Rock plant – where the Mustang is manufactured – by organising a parade involving Mustangs from across generations, driving from Dearborn to Flat Rock, and fly-overs from three World War II-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes.
Speaking on the iconic muscle car crossing this major production milestone, Jim Farley, president of global markets, Ford Motor Company, said, “Mustang is the heart and soul of this company and a favourite around the world. I get the same thrill seeing a Mustang roll down a street in Detroit, London or Beijing that I felt when I bought my first car – a 1966 Mustang coupe that I drove across the country as a teenager. Mustang is a smile-maker in any language.”
Now in its sixth generation, the Mustang received a mid-life facelift in 2017. While the pre-facelift model is still on sale in India (priced at Rs 74.62 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi), the facelift is expected to arrive on our shores in early 2019, with a power upgrade and a 10-speed automatic gearbox replacing the six-speeder on the current model.
Also see:
Ponytale: 3 iconic Ford Mustangs driven
Drag Race: Ford Mustang GT vs Audi RS5
5 unquestionably American things about the Ford Mustang GT
Going wild with the Mustangs, old and new
2016 Ford Mustang GT review, test drive