As the Ford Mustang Turns 60, We Look at Some of Our Favorite Blue Oval Pony Cars
Hey, Ford Mustang, you don’t look a day over 45. Well, that’s probably what the Blue Oval staple wants to hear or read in its birthday cards. Regardless, the Mustang has developed into an icon among sports car nameplates over the course of 60 years. To celebrate the Mustang’s big birthday, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite badass Ford Mustangs through the ages.
These Ford Mustangs capture the appeal of America’s original pony car
60 years. That’s quite a bit of time. 60 years ago, the United States hadn’t yet put a man on the moon. 60 years ago, mud-covered music lovers hadn’t yet been treated to Jimi Hendrix scraping out the national anthem to fans at Woodstock. But America did have the Ford Mustang. As the seemingly immortal Mustang turns 60, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite Blue Oval pony cars.
- Boss 429
- GT 390
- Shelby GT500
- Shelby GT350
It’s the big-block bad boy from yesteryear, the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. Seven star-spangled liters of naturally aspirated Mustang. ‘Murica. Moreover, it’s the first time Ford fitted a Mustang with a factory rear sway bar. Ford wanted you to be able to bury your right foot without introducing your Boss 429 to the nearest telephone pole. How considerate.
What list of Mustangs would be complete without the iconic Mustang GT 390? What? You say you’re unfamiliar with the GT 390? Well, all you have to do is cue up the 1968 cult classic film “Bullitt” to see why the GT 390 is so spectacular.
It’s likely the most famed model of Ford Mustang ever: the Shelby GT500. Whether it’s “Eleanor” from the “Gone in 60 Seconds” remake or the 200-mph S197 halo car, the Shelby GT500 is the period at the end of the Ford Mustang statement. I mean, how many cars out there can boast a TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, a supercharged V8, a 200-mph top speed, and a used car price under $60,000?
The Shelby GT 350 of the 1960s proved the Mustang’s mettle as a muscle car with track-day potential. After all, Carroll Shelby essentially stiffened a first-generation Fastback, added some power, and sent it on a killing spree. Moreover, the S550 GT350 is one of the most unique Ford Mustangs of all time.
