The Ford Mustang debuted in the 1960s and became an American cultural icon. This muscle car symbolizes freedom, style, and American culture. The vehicle was a breakout success for Ford Motor Company. The team at Speedway Motors celebrates this legacy with a chart showing the price of the Mustang every year since its release, along with an image of each model. The official release price is listed, along with the price adjusted for inflation. As we look over the graphics, we can see the history of this car spanning changing trends in history, economics, and culture. The first Mustang hit the road in 1964 for only $2,368 ($24,344 adjusted for inflation). The vehicle was meant to be an affordable muscle car that the average American could buy. It was inspired by expensive European sports cars with a more economical design. The first Mustang was a huge hit, with over 100,000 vehicles sold in its first four months. The Mustang rode the wave of success through the 1960s into the 1970s until the gas crisis hit. With gas being expensive and hard to obtain, Americans’ priorities shifted suddenly to fuel economy. The Mustang was updated with the Mustang II in 1974, featuring a smaller chassis and reduced power for improved fuel economy. As the Mustang’s popularity dropped, Ford successfully revived excitement in the 1980s with the Fox Mustang. They were trying to compete with Chevrolet’s Camaro and held steady until the new millennium, when they returned to classic models. The interest in horsepower returned, and buyers were willing to pay approximately $64,235 in today’s money. Today’s Mustangs are equipped with cutting-edge technology and a higher sticker price of $69,375.
