Mustang Of The Day: 1964½ Ford Mustang
1964½ Ford Mustang

Mustangs built between March 1964 and August 17, 1964 were identified as 1964½ Mustangs, or early 1965 Mustangs. The first year mustang, later called the 1964½, was available in two models: the coupe and the convertible.

Mustang Of The Day: 1964½ Ford Mustang
1964½ Ford Mustang | © RM Sotheby’s

Both of these models featured lengthened hoods and shorter rear decks than the prototypes, also chrome wrap-around bumpers and grilles with a running hose, and full wheel covers. Both the coupe and the convertible were available with a 170 cid 101 horsepower 6 cylinder engine, a 260 2-V 164 horsepower V-8, a 289-4V 210 horsepower V-8, and beginning in June, a powerful 4 barrel, solid lifter, 289 cid 271 horsepower V-8 engine.

Mustang Of The Day: 1964½ Ford Mustang
1964½ Ford Mustang | © RM Sotheby’s

While beat to the punch – if only just – by the Plymouth Barracuda and the “gotcha-by-two-weeks” release of the 1964 model year ‘Cuda, it is the 1964.5 Mustang that is remembered as the original pony car.