I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’m not a Mustang guy—as a rule, I lean towards mid-size muscle cars over performance pony cars. However, one of the best events I’ve ever attended was the Mustang’s 50th anniversary in Las Vegas. There was such a variety of these belly button cars that I forgot about the umbilical. The truth is that there are so many variations of the Ford Mustang that it would be absolutely unfair to use that dismissive epithet.
To commemorate the birthday of the most American of automobiles, join us as we discuss a few of the more unusual Mustangs from its heyday.
1965 Shelby GT350
If I’m not a pony car guy, then it makes sense I never gravitated towards the Shelby Mustang, especially the first ones that don’t look much different from regular Mustangs. However, wisdom comes with age, and I realize the ‘65 is pretty much a Boss 302 several years before there was such a thing. In comparison, I have no interest in the ’66, which was watered-down and most commonly found with an automatic.
However, there was a handful of early “carryover” 1966 GT350s that were hybrids between the two years. This ’66 is one of 78 carryover cars built without a back seat, just like the 1965s. Other unusual features include steel wheels, rear over-rider traction bars, and fiberglass hood with steel frame, while 1966 components include clear Plexiglas rear-quarter windows, functional rear brake-cooling scoops, and rear exhaust turndowns.
1968 “135” Mustang
Almost four months before the 428 Cobra Jet was to debut, Ford built a batch of 50 fastbacks—all in Wimbledon White—with most going to racers (especially for the Winternationals), though a few were sold to regular enthusiasts. Out of the 50, only 20 were built without sealer or sound deadener, so these could be considered lightweights. Unlike the later “production” Cobra Jets built in April-August 1968, these “135” Mustangs (so named due to all sharing a 135 sequence prefix) did not have the GT package or the black stripe on the hood. This is the exact car that Hot Rod called “probably the fastest regular production sedan ever built.” If you want to learn more about these cars, visit 428CobraJet.org.
1969 Mustang “The Going Thing”
There have been many Mustang regional and promotional specials, with the Twister Special being the most famous. But, to me, the cars produced for the “Going Thing” promotion is the bee’s knees. Looking like street versions of Ford’s drag cars, a batch of The Going Thing Mustang and mid-size Cobra SportsRoofs (plus a handful of regular Mustang hardtops) was ordered by several Cleveland-area dealers for the Ford Total Performance Show at Thompson Drag Raceway in Chardon, Ohio.
The Going Thing Mustangs were available in special-order Petty Blue or white, built with both pedestrian and performance Ford engines. They featured an unusual stripe that resembled the Boss 302’s yet included “THE GOING THING” stenciled at the bottom of the stripe, plus a huge Ford decal on the trunk lid.
1970 Mustang Sidewinder
Looking somewhat like a junior league version of the Twister Special, this regional special came out of the Iowa/Nebraska region. Not much is known other than it is believed these SportsRoofs were equipped with the 351-4V, Competition Suspension, 3.50 gears with Traction-Lok, Ford-produced side stripe (a design shared with the Twister, ARI Mustang pace cars, and Torino GT pace cars), and a rear snake decal.
The latter was hand-drawn by Michael Baze, a Ford employee in the Omaha district who submitted this idea for a regional promotion Ford was running.
1971 Mustang 429 Cobra Jet
Large and in charge? Maybe, but they’re not as big and heavy as initial impressions may suggest. The 429 Cobra Jet was new for the Mustang, and the CJ pony car was the only FoMoCo product to have the Drag Pack available for 1971.
Sure, the Mach I looks racy, and the Boss 351 may be better-balanced, but I appreciate the Plain Jane aspect of the hardtop or even a regular SportsRoof. With the right gears, these cars—Ford’s final high-compression big-block pony cars—were monsters.
1987 Mustang LX 5.0
Alright, maybe this car is not as unusual as the above examples. However, 1987 was the year the planets aligned and Ford introduced a 225-horsepower 302 with fuel injection. Doesn’t sound impressive today, but these cars easily could run fourteen-second ETs—happy days are here again! It could be said that high-14s were not impressive when CJs were easy 13-second cars, but those ETs were WAY faster than your usual 302 Mustang back in the day, and more comparable to a Boss 302. When these first appeared in the fall of 1986, I dug the boy racer accoutrements of the GT, but the wiser guy in me now prefers the LX coupe (or hatchback) with the 5.0. Don’t forget the five-speed! I’ve always wanted to drive one so here I am, lusting after a Fox.