Slideshow: Romancing the Mustang: Stories of Love
It's a car that's built to love.
The True American Muscle Car
The Mustang is cool. By that, we mean it's a special kind of car, and while saying as much might not hold up as some sort of formal selling point, there's absolutely no doubt that it plays a big role in what has made the Mustang such a winner over the decades. Ford made their American sporting car remarkably easy to love, after all. While aesthetics ultimately boil down to an individual's tastes and preferences, there's a lot to be said about the way the Mustang has captured hearts across generations, for generations. And after all, this wild pony has got a lot more than looks alone riding under its hood.
Nostalgia is Powerful
One must wonder how much of the modern muscle car industry is based on a nostalgic longing for the past. Between tight environmental regulations and an industry-wide sway towards turbocharged efficiency, there's a sense that the industry left the glorious excesses of the high displacement performance demons behind. A model like the Mustang benefits from more than a half-century of lineage, stretching back as far as those days people think of when the word "classic" comes to mind.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
Through a Cinematic Lens
Although the Mustang would enjoy a fitting first significant showcase in the movies with the 1964 James Bond entry Goldfinger, it's 1968's Bullitt that stands out the most in the memory of fans. If you wanted to be cynical about it, James Bond films could be seen in some part as glorified sports car commercials-- just ask a sales analyst from Aston-Martin if you figure otherwise. However, where the Mustang in Goldfinger wasn't driven by Bond, the highland green fastback in Bullitt is as iconic a sight as anything the film has to offer.
This is an important point to bring up because of the indelible impact the movies have had on the auto industry, and sports cars in particular. There's no doubt more than a few Mustangs were sold based on an interest that first sparked from seeing them in fierce action in a film.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
The Practical Pony Car
When you cut away the hot air of the Mustang's cultural heritage, and all of the high-octane buzzwords that come along for the ride, there are still very real reasons why someone will stake their love on Mustang. In contrast with the competition, the Mustang is a car that strives to pair roaring brawn with practicality and real life. Add to that the Mustang's relatively affordable price to boot. All in all, the Mustang stands out as a sports car that was intended for real people with practical concerns. The Mustang's magic lies in the fact that said practical concerns don't force it to compromise its more boastful features.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
Full Customization and Trims to Gawk at
The Mustang is fully customizable; present or past, we'd be remiss not to mention the sort of power that custom Mustangs can have on the perception of the overall brand. A special trim or modded Mustang is not meant to accurately reflect the experience of a stock version of course. Rather, it can open the viewer's mind to the range of possibilities one can make from the car.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
Mustang Love is Going Worldwide
Historically, Ford had a tendency to put their eggs in one basket with the Mustang. That is, it was heavily slanted towards the US market. While the Mustang continues to rake in impressive numbers domestically, the international market is where things have really begun to gain momentum. Mustang sales in Europe have been rising, while the sales of same-class EU heavyweights like Audi and BMW have dwindled. One place where the Mustang has met surprising success is actually China; the 'Stang is the most popular two-door coupe in the Chinese market, and sales continue to rise with the growth of the Chinese middle class. In 2011, Chinese racing driver Richard Guo started China's first Mustang fan club in Beijing.
What may be attributed to this sudden foreign interest? One frequently mentioned cause is the brand's strong association with all of the best things about America. The freewheeling independence, roaring engine, and clever design all offer customers abroad a will of an imagined American spirit, the likes of which they may have only experienced before through movies.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
Mustang is Keeping up with the Future
Just because the Mustang is classic doesn't limit it from being forward-thinking as well. The evolution of the Mustang over decades has not been nearly as drastic as the Corvette-- many Ford owners will tell you they prefer it that way. All the same, the 2018 models look noticeably sleeker, sport an entirely fresh gearbox, and rake in a league of specs improvements across the board. Between the custom drive-setting Mustang MyMode feature, revamped dashboard and embracing new tech compatibility, it's clear that Ford will give us ever-more reasons to love this icon in the future.
>>Join the conversation about reasons why we love Mustangs right here in The Mustang Source.
For help with your repair and maintenance projects, please visit the how-to section of our sister site, Mustang Forum.