April 17th 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of an icon: the Ford Mustang. When it was first went on sale it became one of the fastest selling cars in the USA, shifting 22000 at its launch event in New York alone. Whilst the Ford Mustang is that most American of things, it also has a global appeal particularly here in the UK.
Possibly with the exception of the Corvette, American cars never really took off in the UK in the 1960s and 70s. However, the Ford Mustang developed a following which has remained strong ever since. So much so, that in 2015 it was officially sold in the UK for the first time and also came in right-hand drive form and that all important V8 engine.
It is believed that the first Mustangs were brought across by US service personnel wanting to have a slice of home with them whilst they served in the UK. They were certainly on the UK roads in the 1960s and by the 1970s, it was the owners of two of these Mustangs that formed the Mustang Owners Club of Great Britain (MOCGB). Photographs from 1964 of Dagenham Wharf show the Mustang being scrutinised by Ford engineers. Staff at Ford UK tested the Mustang before it went on sale, giving valuable feedback to their US counterparts. Alan Mann Racing’s website shows photographs of the 3 cars that Ford sent across being put through their paces on the track.
But what was (and still is) the appeal of the Ford Mustang in the UK? Car Dealer and TV Presenter Paul Cowland believes that it was because so many were made and that the British knew the Ford brand well and so were willing to embrace the Mustang more than other makes. “The racing success of the Mustang was one that people could identify with. People understood Ford and felt comfortable with it,” states Paul. “That and the fact that they are easy to maintain and parts would be readily available. It was a no brainer really.” The UK buying public may also have been taken to the Mustang for another reason – the entertainment industry. Paul comments, “Popular culture is not to be overlooked when considering the appeal of a car. Films like Bullitt had a big effect on the buying public. The chase scene was cool! It appealed to people.” This is echoed by MOCGB member Allan Richards who states that the buying public was attracted to it. “It has an amazing performance that rivalled the E-Type,” he says. “Famous people owned them, including the model Twiggy.”
Owners smile when they talk about the Mustang. The Mustang’s performance, noise and general character made people feel special when they drove them. This coupled with its affordability, made the car appealing. Peter Cavallo who is owner and operator of American Classic Cars Sales near Colchester describes the Mustang as, “A lively car that I like and so do all my customers. It is the antithesis of modern cars. If you disobey the cues it will bite back at you! It’s that front engine, light weight rear wheel drive car that makes for a peppy drive.” The sound of the V8 engine is another massive appeal for owners of the Ford Mustang. Steve Penfold of the MOCGB remarks that the most common question he is asked by new Mustang owners is, “What modifications can I do to the exhaust system to enhance the sound?”
Ford Mustangs are a relatively cheap way of getting in to classic cars and with an active owners club, support is never far away. There are price entry points to suit everyone. A 1960s Mustang with a V8 engine can be found online for as little as £15000. Paul Cowland states that, “When buying a Mustang you have to ask, ‘What do you like?’ It also depends on your mechanical expertise. There are cars out there that are relatively cheap and provide a good opportunity for restoration. You can pay more for a finished article.” Paul also remarked that the 1960s market seems to be more static now but that late 1980s cars and 1990s cars seem to be becoming more popular. “The 1990s Fox Body cars do seem to be gaining in popularity. Once again, it’s popular culture thing that is important, Ken Block modified a Fox Body 1990 Mustang. This sort of thing has great appeal.”
Today, the Mustang is still very popular in the UK. The Ford Mustang Owners Club of Great Britain is very active and has regular meet ups where owners chat about a variety of things and learn even more about their cars. The MOCGB have Mustang Day at the British Motor Museum on April 13th to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the iconic car. Membership of the MOCGB continues to increase showing the enduring popularity of the car which Paul Cowland says, “Has that X Factor,”
With the 7th generation Mustang (still with a V8 engine) set for release later this year it continues to go from strength to strength in the UK. It would seem that the special relationship is as good as ever.
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