There’s That Mustang

Most of us, those younger than 43 (that includes me), grew up with Ford Mustangs. You probably remember those kids in high school or college, I sure do, who had that cool car. Mustangs are more than just cars, they are status symbols.

What you may not remember is that Mustangs were first introduced to us at the New York City Exibibition in 1964, the same year I was born! From what I’ve been told the car was instantly a highly desired car and more than 20,000 cars were purchased THE first day that they were available and nearly a half million were sold their first year on the market.

Just before I got my license I remember my dad had a 1972 Mustang convertable. I can still visualize it, a beautiful bright yellow with a long hood and a licence plate ‘72 PONY’. I only got to drive it a few times before he sold it, … it really bummed me out, I thought that surely he was planning to give it to me!

www.squidoo.com/fordmustangs

by Kathy Austin

According to its aficionados, The Ford Cobra is taunted to as the best produced Mustang ever. Those who are speed freaks would be satisfied with the Ford Cobra because of its overwhelming engine that would prompt their immediate approval. This beast-looking car is revved up with a 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 engine. It has an aluminum cylinder with a big cast iron block. These specs have dramatically upgraded the performance of the already awesome engine of 2001 Mustang that produces 320 horsepower. Its secret lies within its supercharger. The intercoolers installed are credited to increase the hp to a very overwhelming 390. The torque has also increased from 317 lb.-ft to an almost unconvincing 390 lb.-ft.

The Ford Cobra’s performance on the road is simply impressive. This multi-dimensional car can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. The best thing about the Ford Cobra is that it cost half as much as cars that run half as fast. Indeed, the Ford Cobra’s powerful acceleration is the best reason to buy it.

When it comes to power, Ford Cobra is always in its lead. However it is not only in this aspect that Ford Cobra is best, its wonderful design and smooth handling is also a credit for this car. Apparently, these have been credited to its interiors and vital parts. For a true diehard racer, the Ford Cobra has metal pedals and titanium-cased gauges. Its drive shaft comes in aluminum that produces a smooth shifting. Adding to that are the seats fashioned with leather for a cozy and comfortable fit. Another highlight for Ford Cobra is its IRS or the independent rear suspension system, a development from older Mustangs. With IRS, Ford Cobra is more stabilized thanks to its tubular cross-brace. A ride in Ford Cobra will be totally moderate, neither too hard nor too soft. It also has an improvised steering feel compared to Mustang.

The Ford Cobra also features an IRS or an independent rear suspension system, an improvement from older Mustangs. The Ford Cobra also offers greater stability with its tubular cross-brace. All in all, the ride in the Ford Cobra is just right - not too hard and not too soft. Other improvements from the old Mustangs also include better steering feel.

To stick on the road, the Ford Cobra employs Goodyear F1 tires mounted on 17 inch cast-aluminum wheels. The performance of these tires can be better appreciated when maneuvering through tight corners at medium speed. Stopping is also easy with the big 13-inch Brembo front disc brakes and 11.65 rear discs.

The Ford Cobra comes in either a coupe or convertible. What distinguish the Ford Cobra from other Mustangs are the aggressive exterior features which include the side skirts, front fascia and decklid. The front hood features a flow-through vent to prevent overheating.

Of course the Ford Cobra is not the total vehicle one can get. In spite with its powerful engine, slick exterior and smooth interior, there are still some minor flaws. One thing is that it is not as polished as its more classy and luxurious counterparts like the Porsche 911 or the BMW 540i. However, the Ford Cobra’s price probably owes its competitiveness. With priced starting $34,000 mark, the Ford Cobra definitely eclipses the others in its class. And if you want to add a little of it, the Ford Cobra one can have a rear spoiler, chrome wheels and a limited edition Mystichrome appearance that cost you a few dollars.

And to complete your Ford Cobra experience, be sure to get a Ford Cobra key chain. The Ford Cobra keychains come in styles that would definitely complement the rugged charm of the Ford Cobra.

About the Author:

Kathy Austin is a writer for Wholesale keychains. Check out the intricate designs of these Ford Cobra Keychains, they are crafted in stainless steel, metal, chrome, and leather and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

by Falcon McCluer

There are times, in rare instances, that a fad turns a corner and becomes something more. The Beatles are a good example of this phenomenon. They invaded U.S. soil with their long hair and rock music. Many parents hoped that they were a fad that would eventually fade away, but instead, the Beatles went on to influence music for decades. The Beatles became a cultural icon and set the pace for rock music, as we now know it.

The Ford Mustang is another cultural icon. It was one of the first muscle cars and it raised the bar when it came to performance and handling. The unveiling of the Ford Mustang in April, 1964 sent other car manufacturers scrambling to create their own versions of high performance cars, but the Pony car was in a class by itself. The Ford Mustang did for cars what the Beatles did for rock music - it set a standard by which all other muscle cars would be compared.

From the moment that the Ford Mustang rolled off the production line, it was America’s sweetheart. The Ford Mustang launch is considered one of the most successful product launches in automotive history. The unveiling created considerable excitement among the American pubic.

Within the first 18 months, more than one million Ford Mustangs were sold. This serves to a testament of the effectiveness of Ford’s promotional campaign of the Mustang. With this wild success also came legends. There were stories of men sleeping in their Mustangs at the dealership while waiting for their checks to clear, sometimes for several days.

The genius of Ford’s marketing campaign is considered one of the most profitable in history. The day before unveiling the Mustang, Ford ran Mustang commercials on the three major networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS, at 9:30 p.m. The buzz that was generated propelled consumers into a buying frenzy on April 17, 1964 and for the two years following the unveiling, which occurred at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.

The Ford Pavilion housed the unveiling. When Henry Ford II introduced Walt Disney’s Magic Skyway ride he also introduced the Mustang. On the ride, the guests rode in Ford vehicles as they rode through history.

Early Mustangs were available with four engine options. One was the 289 cubic inch High Performance V 8. That bad boy kicked it with 271 horses. As word go out, dealerships were overwhelmed with people who wanted to be among the groundbreakers who owned a Ford Mustang.

History was made as a Wimbledon White convertible rolled off the production line and became the very first Mustang. It had a 260 cubic inch V 8. The now historic VIN was 5F08F100001. The car toured the United States, acting as a promotional tool for Ford until an airline captain from Canada, Stanley Tucker, acquired it.

Mustang 5F08F100001 spent some time in Canada with captain Tucker, but then in 1966 the executive director of the Henry Ford Museum, Donald Shelly, requested acquisition of it. Shelly stated in a letter that it was believed that the Ford Mustang would become a milestone car in the automotive industry. It was believed, he stated, that other car makers would use the Ford Mustang as a standard of measure and it would set the tone for other high performance, high power cars. They were right.

About the Author:

Ford Mustang History is a dedicated site to the history of the Ford Mustang. All the facts you always needed to know about this American Muscle Car superstar.