Since its initial release in 1964, Ford Motor Company has sold over 10 million Mustang models. This number would have been nearly impossible to believe when Ford executives drummed up plans for the new sports car in the early 1960s.

The popularity, staying power, and overall allure of the Mustang are unmatched. The release of the 1964 Mustang set off a chain of events that has yet to be replicated in the automotive space. Here's a look at how the 1964 Mustang came to be and how it has maintained its allure for six decades.

Ford Created an Irresistible Sensation With the 1964 Mustang

In the years following World War II, much like the rest of the world, Ford Motor Company sought to rebuild its struggling company. One key rebuilding strategy the automotive company devised was to launch an affordable car that would appeal to young men nationwide. This new marketing strategy would soon propel the company to heights, creating a pop culture icon that would transcend generations.

Named in honor of a World War II fighter plane, Ford officially released the "Mustang" in April 1964. Lee Iacocca, the VP of Ford then, coined the Mustang as the "poor man's Thunderbird." However, this verbiage didn't prevent a single soul from being thrown into complete awe upon first laying eyes on the newly unveiled 1964 Mustang.

The initial Mustang offering in April 1964 consisted of two styles: a hardtop and a convertible. In August of the same year, a fastback version was also added to the lineup. At the time, the starting MSRP was around $2,300. When adjusted for inflation, that calculates to around $23,000 in 2024.

The Mustang became an instant sensation. Within its first production year, Ford could sell over 400,000 Mustangs. This was monumental for Ford, given that it had only expected to sell around 150,000 Mustang models during its first year. The popularity of the Mustang certainly didn't die down there, either. In March 1966, just two years shy of the Mustang's initial debut, the one-millionth model rolled off the production line. While undoubtedly impressive, this was only just the beginning for the Mustang.

The Birth of the 1964 Ford Mustang Gave Way to a Whole New Class of Pony Cars

While the sales performance and the overall draw toward the Mustang far outweighed expectations, the success of the original 1964 Mustang was no accident. What drew buyers to the 1964 Mustang was Ford's marketing plan. Not only was the 1964 Mustang unveiled at the New York World's Fair in front of almost 15 million visitors, the Mustang was featured on billboards and television commercials that ran on all three of the major television networks. The night before the 1964 Mustang's official release, the car was also featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines.

Of course, the 1964 Mustang embodied a sporty look that was designed to attract young car buyers. However, the Mustang has always been more than just a looker; it has a powerful engine, a reasonable starting price, and a legendary name that hails from the World War II fighter plane. Combined with Ford's detailed development and marketing strategy, these elements created the perfect storm for the birth of an entirely new class of cars, coined the "pony car."

Fellow automakers saw the success of Ford's new Mustang model and wanted in on the action. Thus, after the release of the 1964 Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger, and an assortment of other highly styled coupes and convertibles with a sport-performance-oriented appeal were released to compete. However, the 1964 Mustang had an edge that these competitors simply couldn't match. This edge only seemed to grow as the Mustang became increasingly woven into pop culture.

The Ford Mustang Has a Lasting Legacy in Pop Culture and Beyond

During its first year of production, the 1964 Mustang made its Hollywood debut in the James Bond film Goldfinger. Given its sleek design, powerful engine, and raging popularity among young Americans, it's no surprise that the Mustang became the go-to vehicle among filmmakers. Of course, the Mustang already had a large fan base. However, its first appearance on the silver screen did help aid in the creation of a cult-like following for the Mustang nameplate.

Four years later, the Mustang solidified its status in Hollywood even further by making a legendary appearance in the 1968 film Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen. McQueen's character operates the Mustang through numerous car chases throughout the film. The thrilling scenes of the green Mustang 390 GT barreling down the roadways helped to elevate the Mustang's status even further.

Since the 1960s, the Mustang has appeared in hundreds of Hollywood films. Some films include Gone in 60 Seconds, Charlie's Angels, The Fast and the Furious, John Wick, and I Am Legend, among many others. Now in its seventh generation and officially celebrating 60 years of production, the Mustang has maintained its legendary status for six decades. While the new generation Mustang models are stunning and powerful, nothing can compare to the iconic status that the original 1964 Mustang embodies.

The 1964 Mustang was the first of its kind, introducing a new class of "pony cars" and creating a craze among the general public that has yet to be replicated. The unique styling, powerful performance, affordable price point, and the spirit of freedom it exuded were ultimately the key elements that established the allure of the 1964 Mustang.