| DIMENSIONS |
| Wheelbase | 108 in | 107.1 in |
| Track, front | 56 in | 62.3 in |
| Track, rear | 56 in | 62.5 in |
| Overall length | 181.6 in | 187.6 in |
| Overall width | 68.2 in | 73.9 in |
| Overall height | 51.1 in | 54.5 in |
| Weight | 3,150 lbs | 3,450 lbs (manual) |
The 50-year-old Corvette may have dibs as America's sports car, but we'll lay claim to the Mustang as America's fun car. For the past 40 years, ever since legions of buyers stormed Ford dealer showrooms at the Mustang's unveiling on April 17, 1964, the Mustang has been a source of fun and frivolity. Just throw the top back and stomp into the V-8's throttle. And there's room for the kids and luggage.
In early April 1964, some two weeks before the Mustang's official introduction day, Captain Stanley Tucker managed to convince a salesman at George Parsons Ford in St. Johns, Newfoundland, to sell him the white Mustang convertible on the showroom floor. Neither Tucker nor the salesman realized, or maybe understood, the Mustang carried serial number 5F08F100001, meaning it held significant historical value to Ford as the first production Mustang. Ford managed to get the car back two years later, after some wrangling with Tucker, and tucked it away at the Henry Ford Museum for the next 18 years, when it finally went on display. In early 2003, volunteers at the museum, now called The Henry Ford, refurbished the car to running condition for the Ford 100th anniversary.
Like the first production Mustang, the new '05 Mustang was designed for fun. With a new 300hp engine, the GT comes with the most power ever for a mainstream Mustang. And when the convertible debuts next year, the top-down fun will be back as well.
From driving excitement to restoration enjoyment to show-winning joy, the Mustang has given us 40 years of fun. And may we have many more.