OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang stands to this day as the fastest selling car of all time. When the car made its debut at the New York World’s Fair on the 17th of April 1964, Ford sold 100,000 in the first three months of production. People like Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds ordered theirs on the first day. It was off to a good start and it only got better. Then worse. Then a LOT worse. Then better again. But the original is still the best…
The Mustang has gone through several generations since its launch but the first generation cars will always be considered as the best. First generations were sold as either a hardtop/notchback, convertible and the sexy looking fastback. Production lasted from 1964 until 1973 with more and more testosterone-fuelled extra additions made during those years: Boss 302’s, Mach 1’s and when legendary racing driver and father of the Cobra, the late Carroll Shelby got his hands on a Mustang, you ended up with beasts like the GT350 and GT500, real raw blue collar horsepower!
The car featured here is a 1967 Ford Mustang notchback. 1967 was the first year to feature stylistic alterations to the design – the nose was more aggressive and steeply raked, while the tail featured concave taillights, and side scoops completed it nicely. This look continued until the end of 1968 and also had the benefit of more passenger and luggage space. Of all the variants produced, the 67-68 has to be one of my favourites, it just looks the business.
You could choose from a variety of engines from a 200ci straight-six, right up to the brutish 428ci Cobra Jet V8, more commonly found in its Shelby brothers and sisters. However under the hood of this Mustang lies the infamous C Code 289 cubic-inch V8, which to you means 4.7-litres, 147kW of power and 382Nm of torque.
Sure that is minuscule compared to not only other Mustangs, but other pony cars of that time. For example the smallest V8 found in the Chevrolet Camaro, (the Mustang’s main rival) was 307ci or 5.0-litres. However, the 289 is a dependable unit and let’s be honest, 147kW should be enough for the average bloke or blokette! (Editor: No, Ben, no…)Plus mated to the classic Ford three-speed cruise-o-matic box and you have a combined unit with plenty of get up and go.
Get inside and you find you have plenty of room and the steering wheel extends towards you rather nicely. The white on black dials are simplistic and easy to read. The seats are so comfortable it doesn’t take very long to snuggle in and get on with the business at hand, driving.
Driving round town in an American icon might seem daunting and intimidating, but this ‘67 Mustang is fairly easy to get your head round. Thanks to power steering going round bends at cruising speed is a doddle, however high speed turns may need some effort on your part.
When coming up to lights it pays to brake quite firmly, although the brakes on this Mustang are better than those of other muscle cars, you do need to apply a bit of pressure, but that’s only expected of an old car. It also is worth considering braking with your left foot when the engine is cold, so you can avoid the risk of flooding it and stalling by keeping up the revs with your right foot, I will confess this did happen to me…
Cruising on the open road is what the Mustang is all about and it did this without fault. I would be quite happy to drive this down to Dunedin and back. It is really relaxed and docile when you want it to be, put your boot up it however and the noise and vibrations of the 289 are a great sensation as you shoot forward on a wave of grunt.
I absolutely understand the appeal of muscle cars and I will also confess to being a particular fan. With this 1967 Ford Mustang Notchback 289 you get power, style and a legend that will not die.
This particular car is for sale in Christchurch for $39,999, go to www.moorhousemusclecars.co.nz for more information.
Need to know
Year: 1967
Production: 1965-1973
Engine: 4700cc V8 petrol
Power/torque: 147kW/382Nm
Transmission: Three-speed automatic
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