About this vehicle

The Ford Mustang was introduced on April 19, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. It was an instant hit with first-year sales of 418,000 units. One-million Mustangs were sold in just 18 months. It was Ford’s most successful product launch since the introduction of the Model “A” in 1928.

Ford Division Vice President and General Manager Lee Iacocca came up with the concept for the car. He saw an opportunity to produce an inexpensive, four seat “sporty” car designed to appeal to the new generation of Post-War “Baby Boomers”, just reaching driving age.

The Mustang design utilized many components from the popular Falcon compact, making it possible to introduce the car with a base price of just $2,368. The car was optioned to allow the buyer to personalize their car to suit their tastes. Accordingly, it was possible to have anything from a basic six-cylinder coupe to a high-performance V-8 fastback, or a near-luxury car, like the one here at the Elliott.

This Sauterne Gold 1966 Mustang coupe represents a good example of the first-generation Mustang. The car is very nicely equipped with a 289 cubic inch V-8 engine, “Cruise-O-Matic” automatic transmission, power steering, air conditioning, radio, deluxe steering wheel, deluxe “Pony” interior, vinyl top, and wire wheel covers. The car was originally owned by a local Grumman Aircraft executive. 

This Mustang was donated to the Elliott Museum in 2013 in honor of Nicholas Cuneo.

Specifications:

• Engine: V-8, 289 cubic inches, 9.3:1 compression, 2 bbl carburetor, overhead valves

• Horsepower: 200

• Transmission: Three-speed automatic, “Cruise-O-Matic”

• Original price: $2,416 (base)

• Options on museum’s car: 200 hp, 289 V-8 engine, power steering, “Cruise-O-Matic” automatic transmission, air conditioning, “Deluxe “Pony” interior, pushbutton AM radio, vinyl top, wire wheel covers.

• Production total: 607,568 (1966 model year, all models)