Mustangs in Movies: The First of its Kind: ‘Goldfinger’
There are many reasons why the Mustang became the most successful Ford launch since the Model A, but one of the biggest is Bond, James Bond.
Okay, the 1964 1/2 – the very first Mustang – released at New York City’s World’s Fair on April 17, 1964 – had already WAY outsold projections by the time Bond (Sean Connery) forced Tilly Masterson’s (Tania Mallet) beautiful convertible off the road in Goldfinger. But you still have to give credit to the third Bond film for being the first to give the Mustang her big-screen break.
Though Goldfinger didn’t open wide in America until January 9, 1965, after Ford had already sold more than 260,000 ponies, there’s no denying the power of choice product placement. What better product placement than to be beautifully framed within arguably the best of Connery’s bunch, and the only film of the franchise to feature Pussy Galore?
There are only two faults I find with the use of the “1964 and-a-half” in Goldfinger. First of all, the ease with which she’s passed by Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 is insulting, even if Bond is a super-spy trained to drive as well as he kills. Secondly, can you believe he’d endanger such a fine-looking filly? How ’bout a little respect for the one who started it all?
Upon reflection, perhaps I should make that three objections; I mean, shouldn’t Bond, the bowtied embodiment of suave, have been somewhat concerned about Tilly’s safety, too? It’s kind of dangerous blowing up someone’s tire while they’re passing you on a high mountain road. Come on, James, treat her like a lady. Oh wait, that’s how successful men treated women back in Don Draper’s day. Note: the hyperlink preceding this note is NSFW.