During the second generation, there was a huge sales drop. The Mustang II was not well received. They replaced the big block V-8 350ci engine with a 289ci four cylinder engine. Ford’s idea with the Mustang II was to give people a smaller, lighter, and a more fuel-efficient car. Ford, obviously, made a big mistake. Mustang sales dropped by 76%. Ford’s reputation took a huge beating. Another mistake Ford made was dropping the convertible models from their production line.
The second generation Mustangs turned out to be failures. In 1979 Ford came out with a brand new model of Mustang which began the third generation. This model replaced the standard 289ci with a 302ci module 5.0 liter engine. The new Mustang was supposed to be a compact powerhouse. The public loved the new idea and sales increased once again. In 1984 an ex-race car driver/entrepreneur, named Steve Saleen, founded a company that specialized in sport cars made from stock Mustang GT’s. This helped Ford to publicize the Mustang and also to improve Ford’s sagging reputation.
Also, in 1984 Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations team came out with a new edition called the SVO. The SVO was a 2.3 liter turbo-charged with an air- to- water intercooler, which was revolutionary for the time. Ford continued to improve the engine performance and to provide a full line of cars from the four-cylinder package to the V-8 luxury package. With the love of Mustangs thriving, Ford made a dramatic body change. In 1994 Ford put out the same powerful engine but in a sleek new style that caught the public’s attention. The 1994 Mustang won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award. Ford produced a well designed Mustang that impressed the experts. The first class styling and engine performance earned Ford the award from Motor Trend.
The Essay on The History Of The Ford Mustang
... In 98' making the exhaust ports on the engine bigger Ford added some horsepower. The Mustang then goes unchanged, but there is talk ... and not just any muscle car but a Mustang to me the best overall car, and best looking car ever made. My dream is by ... absorbing steering column for safety. There were several 'region specific' models offered from various dealers. Two of the most notable were ...
In 1996 Ford changed the 302ci engine back to the original 289ci engine. In 1999 Ford changed the body style in an effort to recapture the original 1964 style. A non-functioning air induction scoop was added to the hood. They also used more angular cuts in the body styling rather than the recent rounded style. Ford continues to produce Mustangs in the same tradition for new generations. Americans have an undying passion for Mustangs that began over thirty years ago.
It has never been just an ordinary car. With each new generation
Bibliography:
History of Mustangs by S.C Loken copywrited in 1989 Richmond, Virgnia.
