Ford Mustang - The American Dream

To the question: "What kind of car can be regarded as a symbol of America?" - Almost every motorist answer - Mustang. The American dream was born March 9, 1964. The legendary "horse" was born thanks to designers of Ford plant in the race for the preferences of motorists, and in response to an unsuccessful attempt to buy the Italian concern Ferrari. On the day of its debut at the World Auto Expo in New York, Mustang is so subdued audience that has sold 22 thousand copies. Over one hundred days the number of sales reached 100 thousand vehicles, despite considerable for those times the price in 2368 dollars. Represented public the first Mustang developed speed of 200 km / h thanks to the engine capacity of 4.7 liters, which provides power to 271 hp. with. Incidentally, the symbol of Mustang, a galloping horse on the grille, runs the wrong way, as is customary at the races, but in the opposite direction. "Nonstandard" And this explains quite prosaic: a sketch should draw on the mirror projection of the emblem, is produced using the cliche, turned over, turned right. But as so often happens, it all happened exactly the opposite. The result is a mustang, who rides against the rules, "which perfectly in harmony with the image of the new car. The author and inspirer of the idea was made famous Lee Iacocca. Sports cars up to that time were an attribute of life of aristocrats and wealthy. Iacocca also purposed to make a sports car, available for an average buyer. To maximize the production of cheaper, Mustang has been designed on the chassis of Ford Falcon - the most compact and popular at that time "fordovtsa. Initially the car had to go into a series under the name Cougar («Panther), but was renamed in honor of the American fighter P-51 Mustang World War II. The first generation Ford Mustang two-door hardtop was presented and convertible. Low sports car with long hood and sharp stump back created a stir not only in the United States and Europe. One of the key elements of such popularity was also the fact that the manufacturer produces a car as standard, and with "special effects" to the customer. One of the advertising slogans and sounded: "We will do our Mustang specially for you." In the two years since launching the mass production have been sold over a million "iron horses". It surpassed all expectations of management concern Ford, and output has been increased. In April 1965 came standard package «GT». It included tuned suspension, sharper steering, disc brakes all wheels, dual exhaust system and a special coloring of the body. But an individual approach to client not decreased. On the contrary - in 1966, the design and color of the car was performed in 34 variants at the request of the future owner. In the same year, a special modification of the sport, developed in conjunction with the famous by Carroll Shelby, created the legendary Cobra. In the performance Shelby GT-350 car engine gave out 306 hp. sec. and a special racing Shelby GT-350R - 360 liters. with. Soon after the car has received additional equipment to increase capacity to 430 liters. with. that was achieved by a mechanical supercharger brand Paxton. Also been improved and the model of Carroll Shelby GT 500. The only horizontal bars on the grille was gone, to decorative air intakes at the rear wheels were added dividers air. Linings and decorations were shuffled. There was also a standardized 6-cylinder engine. A series of V8 engines continued to exist and continue. However, if someone is not happy with the standard capacity of 271 liters. with. he could order the equipment from dealers Cobra Ford, increased engine power to 350 hp. with. In 1967, the Mustang was a few inches longer and got eight versions of powertrains to choose from: from the six-cylinder volume of 3.3 liters and output of 115 hp. with. to the new V8 in volume of 7 liters, whose power reaches 355 l. with. True, this power had only Mustang Shelby GT-500. There is another option for an individual order - automatic gear box. In the same year over a short collaboration of Ford and Carroll Shelby. All rights to produce cars with the prefix Shelby switched to the "parents» Mustang, as well as caring for the preparation of new sports versions of the car. In 1968, eight were added to the existing two variants of engines. Now, the buyer could choose from a powertrain volumes 3,3, 4,7, 5,0, 6,4 and 7 liters, with the following options for power: 115, 120, 195, 230, 250, 271, 320, 325, 335 and 390 horsepower. Of the new models appeared Shelby GT-500KR with semilitrovym engine Ram Air 428 Cobra Jet with a special air intake system, which when the power rating of 325 hp. with. easily reached 410 hp. with. In 1969, the Mustang was again redesigned, this time radically. The length of the car increased by 10 cm, weight - 60 kg. In the lineup there were new versions of: cheap E, expensive Grande and Mach I c engine at 335 hp. with. Also there was a separate series of Boss. Mustang Boss 302 290-horsepower engine was designed for racing series Trans Am, held on oval tracks. Mustang Boss 429 was created to participate in a series of NASCAR and was equipped with 8-cylinder engine producing 375 hp. with., develops a torque of 611 Nm at 3400 rpm, and many details were made of light alloys. Installing a large powerful engine caused the audit front suspension, which resulted in changed the attachment of shock absorbers and double wishbones were lowered by 25 mm. Boss 429 also received a four-sport transmission, oil cooler and a better interior. Externally, the car was different hood with a huge air intake, spoiler and extended wheel arches. And this car was very good at managing on a winding road. The next few years were marked by the release of new models or fundamental improvements. Reason was the release of a number of laws, tighten the requirements on an average fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and passive safety. As a result, not only was not possible further increase in power and speed, but quite the contrary - they have become increasingly unsustainable. This has been a severe blow to the American auto industry. Ford is a long time to wait. Only in 1974 the second generation car Mustang, which decreased in size, retaining, however, all three variants of the body. Models Mach I and Cobra also received a second life. Mustang III debuted in Geneva in 1978. The car was characterized by angular forms and a significant decrease to the European dimensions of the body. B 1982 appear coupe and targa and a year later - an open model of the Convertible. In 1984, concern Ford begins production of high-speed "horses" with the model SVO, and the Cobra and Mach rebuilt from scratch. In 1985 he debuted Mustang GT Cabrio, 1986 - Mustang LX, which has sharp features of the body. But, of course, classic Mustang will remain forever in the hearts of millions of motorists around the world. For this reason, since 1993 and still produced Mustang IV, stylized car in 1964. In 1997, the fourth generation has undergone restyling - updated exterior body parts, he got a new rear three-band vertical light engineering (previously it was horizontal). In 1998 debuted the 320-strong modification of SVT. True, it lasted only a year, because the engine did not develop SVT declared capacity. In 2000, the fourth-generation Mustang has acquired a more "menacing" appearance: new headlights and bumpers, a differently shaped bonnet, larger air intakes to the rear wheels and sharply protruding wheel arches. Traditional emblem - a rapid runner - dressed in chrome bezel, as the first generation Mustang. Touched on the changes and the engine. The upgraded 4.6-liter V8 developed 260 hp now. with. and accelerated to 240 km / h. In November 2003, in Las Vegas Corporation Ford introduced a new version of the famous "wild horse" in honor of the first decade of SVT. The current Mustang SVT Cobra is available in two versions: coupe and convertible. A total of 2,003 copies will be produced - in strict accordance with the model year anniversary series. Under the hood - forced by volumetric supercharger to 390 liters. with. 32-valve V8 4,6-liter engine family Triton, and an independent rear suspension. It is possible to order a version with a manual 5-speed transmission. Also the car is distinguished by painted in golden color unique 17-inch wheels with twin-spoke design, rear panel and the thresholds of the body with the inscription «10th anniversary» («10-th anniversary) and the image gets up in the attacking position cobra. Designed for the car and the special colors: Torch Red («Red Torch»), Black Clearcoat («Classic Black") and Silver Metallic («Silver Metallic). Seat Cushions Anniversary Ford Mustang were covered in red leather, and some interior panels trendy carbon fiber inserts. Cost of the new Mustang in the United States ranged from 19.5 to almost 47 thousand dollars depending on the appetites of the owner. In Russia, the car also has ardent fans, but they are few: Mustang officially in our market is not for sale, it brought only under the order.