It’s National Mustang Day! What’s Your Favorite Generation?

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Apr 17, 2024 | Ford Mustang, National Mustang Day

Photograph Courtesy Ford

Sixty years ago today, Ford revealed the Mustang at the New York World’s Fair. Since then there’s been seven generations of Mustang.

Which variety is your favorite? The classic first generation? The rad fox-body Mustangs? Or perhaps, you love the S197?

Either way, there are celebrations of the Mustang across the country. You can find a list here.

We’re headed to Mustang 60 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this afternoon. The event will feature the world debut of the Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Appearance Package Mustang, as well as the full Mustang lineup, racing lineup and top Ford race car drivers.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
4/17/24 9:40 a.m.

Since I've gotten older, I really think the earlier S197s have aged pretty well. It's hard to beat a well-sorted, first-gen fastback, though.

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea Associate Editor
4/17/24 9:50 a.m.

I have a soft spot for hatchback fox-body Mustangs but the 03-04 Cobras are also high on my list. 

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/17/24 9:59 a.m.
Colin Wood said:

Since I've gotten older, I really think the earlier S197s have aged pretty well. 

I'm inclined to agree:

But my all time favorite is still probably the 85-86 "4 Eye" Fox body:

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
4/17/24 10:01 a.m.

My favorite is the 1970 Torino Cobra-Jet.

But if I had to buy a hairdresser car cheeky, it would be the 1970s big Mustang.

The original still wins on style and character, even though the new ones admittedly keep getting better, sleeker, faster, safer, more efficient, etc.

I loved my 5.0L 1985 GT!  The fit and finish were horrible, the clutch disintegrated after a few months, the heater core started leaking soon afterward, but I could overlook all that because it was a sweetheart to drive!  We thought it was ridiculously overpowered at the time.  Today, its "awesome" 210 hp is weaker than even the basic entry-level models. 

 

HotNotch
HotNotch Reader
4/17/24 10:17 a.m.

I'm a bit biased, but I love my Fox Bodies.  85 T-Top Hatch and 93 SSP Coupe

 

RaabTheSaab
RaabTheSaab Reader
4/17/24 10:22 a.m.

Favorite? 1st gen. Favorite that I have a chance of owning? 05-09 s197

Cooper_Tired
Cooper_Tired Dork
4/17/24 10:24 a.m.

Foxbody

 

 

I was thinking about it this morning, a huge part of who I am is a direct result of Mustangs, and that all started 29 years ago when my dad bought that foxbody

HotNotch
HotNotch Reader
4/17/24 10:27 a.m.
Cooper_Tired said:

I was thinking about it this morning, a huge part of who I am is a direct result of Mustangs, and that all started 29 years ago when my dad bought that foxbody

Same.  One of my earliest formative memories is Dad opening up the door to a storage unit, me seeing the front clip (same bumper that is on my Tan car now) of the 79 Mustang he had, followed by the first time I had ever heard a rowdy, uncorked, cammed up V8 as he fired it up and pulled it out.

Some things tend to stick with you.

Tony Sestito
Tony Sestito UltimaDork
4/17/24 10:27 a.m.

1979-93 Fox Body cars will always be my favorite. Specifically the 1985-86 Four Eyes GT and the 1987-93 cars, especially in Calypso Green on Pony wheels. 



Perfection. 

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