Fifty years after
debuting one of the world’s most popular cars, Ford is marking the
milestone by revealing a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition. Created to
honor five decades of Mustang heritage, only 1,964 examples of the 50
Year Limited Edition will ever be built when it goes on sale this fall.
Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition
“When Mustang was approved for development more than 50 years ago, I
don’t think anyone imagined it would spawn such a dedicated base of fans
around the world and still be in production today,” said Bill Ford,
executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We are thrilled to be here in
New York – where Mustang was first shown to the public at the 1964
World’s Fair – to re-create that historic event for today’s Mustang
enthusiasts.”
Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance pack,
the 50 Year Limited Edition is designed to provide customers with
outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly
recognizable on the road. The only options for the 50 Year Limited
Edition are the choice of two exclusive colors and a six-speed manual or
automatic transmission.
50 years of inspiration
“The new Mustang blends a muscular, contemporary shape with design cues
that define it as quintessentially Mustang,” said Moray Callum, Ford
vice president of design. “The 50 Year Limited Edition adds details that
set it apart from other Mustangs, while hearkening back to the 1965
original.”
The only two available colors are Wimbledon White, like Mustang
serial No. 0001 that was first sold to Capt. Stanley Tucker in April
1964, or Kona Blue. Both are exclusive to this limited-edition car.
“Chrome trim was much more prevalent on cars in the 1960s than it is
today, so we added some discreet highlights for the grille, side glass
and tri-bar taillamps,” said Callum. “The darker Kona Blue provides a
particularly striking contrast against the chrome.”
Chrome bezels surrounding the base of each of the three taillamp
blades take inspiration from the original 1962 design proposal by Gale
Halderman that became the basis for the production model that debuted in
1964. The three individual lamps on each side of that design were
combined into a single tri-bar lamp cluster for production, but the
original concept has returned five decades on. The Mustang 50 Year
Limited Edition will be the only 2015 model with the large faux gas cap
badge on the rear fascia, with 50 Years added to the GT designation.
Another visual element that won’t be found on any other Mustang is
the louvered rear quarter-windows. Unlike the external louvers on the
quarter-windows of the 1965 fastback, the new windows are comprised of
layered sheets of glass built with a construction technique uniquely
developed for this car.
Unique cockpit experience
From behind the wheel, drivers will know they are driving a very special
car. The aluminum trim panel that spans the double-brow instrument
panel gets an axel spin finish different from other 2015 Mustangs, plus a
special serialized 50 Year Limited Edition badge on the passenger side.
Each badge will be individually etched at Flat Rock Assembly Plant
where Mustang is built.
The limited-edition is the only 2015 Mustang with a
cashmere-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The stitching is also
used on the instrument panel, shifter boot, center armrest, door
inserts and seats. The seats feature exclusive two-tone cashmere and
black leather upholstery, and the Mustang 50 Year logo on the seat
backs.
Limited-edition cars will be equipped with loop-carpet floor mats
with cashmere stitching and suede binding not available on other
Mustangs.
A showpiece meant to be driven
“Mustang fans love to drive their cars, even the rarer examples of the
breed, so we built this limited-edition from the best-performing 2015
Mustang available – the GT fastback with the performance pack,” said
Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “While some collectors will
undoubtedly stash this car away in a museum, those who choose to hit the
open road will get a world-class sports car that can run with the
best.”
Powered by the upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering more than 420
horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, every 50 Year Limited Edition will
be equipped with the Mustang GT performance pack that includes massive
six-piston Brembo front brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels with
high-performance Y-speed-rated Pirelli P-Zero summer tires.
The 19-inch alloy wheels feature a unique Y-spoke design inspired by
the chromed steel wheels that were offered on the original Mustang 50
years ago. The front wheels are 9.0 inches wide with 255/40R tires,
while the staggered rear wheels are 9.5 inches wide with 275/40R tires.
The 50 Year Limited Edition is the only 2015 Mustang that will be
available with a combination of an automatic transmission and the
performance pack. When equipped with the six-speed automatic
transmission, the Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will get a
limited-slip rear differential with a 3.55:1 final-drive. Customers who
opt for the six-speed manual will get a Torsen differential with a
3.73:1 final-drive ratio.
The 50 Year Limited Edition car will be among the first 2015 Mustangs
built when production begins later this year. Each of the 1,964 50 Year
Limited Edition Mustangs will get a unique owner’s guide in a leather
portfolio with the 50 Year badge on the outside.
