The official launch of SVT came during the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. Now Ford returns to Chicago to celebrate its past and look to the future with the 2013 Shelby GT500 convertible.

In honor of SVT’s anniversary, a commemorative lighted sill plate will be used in the 2013 Shelby GT500 to celebrate the many years of performance vehicles. The 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra offered a 235-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, which demonstrates just how far the products have come in 20 years. The 2013 Shelby GT500 with its 650-horsepower V8 marks the latest offering from one of the oldest and most successful automotive performance groups in the world.

“The Shelby GT500 convertible is every bit the performer that the coupe is,” said Kerry Baldori, SVT Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer. “All of the significant changes we made in the program were instrumental in delivering a convertible that could really shine on the track but can still be driven on a daily basis.”

The 2013 Shelby GT500 convertible with the optional Performance Package is faster around a track than the outgoing model. The new convertible shaved nearly 3.5 seconds off its lap time at Sebring International Raceway compared to the 2011 and 2012 models.

Keys to the improved lap times are the power boost from the new 5.8-liter supercharged V8 producing 650 horsepower, as well as the SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers available on the Performance Package and the all-new chassis tuning.

Accessed on the dash with a simple push of a button, normal mode gives customers a more comfortable ride over road irregularities. Sport mode is all about performance, delivering improved response time on the track and less body roll while cornering with reduced pitch under braking. The upgraded dampers allowed SVT engineers to tune the convertible more aggressively for the track, while still being able to maintain desirable on-road manners.

A new Brembo brake system also is a key enabler in boosting the performance of the convertible. The new brakes offer drivers enhanced stopping power to help keep their car under control, while new six-piston calipers in front along with larger front and rear rotors further improve braking performance. More aggressive brake pads also help the car achieve high deceleration and further robustness for more driver confidence.

Similar to the coupe, the convertible will be offered with a Performance Package that also can be upgraded to a Track Package, complete with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability.

20 years of high-performance innovation

Each of the more than 210,000 SVT vehicles produced since 1993 has been designed and developed with the four SVT attributes in mind: Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value. These hallmarks still guide the brand’s vehicle development today.

“In the past 20 years, SVT has engineered world-class mid-engine supercars, front-wheel-drive performance cars, rear-wheel-drive muscle cars and high-performance on-road and off-road pickup trucks,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. “There is no other performance house in the world that can match that diverse résumé.”

Since 1993 more than seven different SVT vehicles have been produced, including several versions of the Cobra and Shelby GT500, the F-150 Lightning performance pickup and F-150 SVT Raptor, the SVT Contour sports sedan, plus both three- and five-door versions of the SVT Focus. Special SVT Mustang Cobra R models were made in 1993, 1995 and 2000.

SVT has joined with Team RS in Europe to form the Performance Vehicles Group to devise a strategy for all future global performance Ford cars. The resulting Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car, giving drivers around the world the opportunity to share the exhilarating performance, excellent handling, addictive sound and sporty design Ford’s ST badge represents. The Ford Fiesta ST Concept also signals the next step in Ford’s global performance vehicle strategy and hints at how a future Fiesta ST model might look when it joins the Focus ST in the global small car portfolio.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500

The ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – raises the bar high on performance by delivering 650 horsepower and a track-tested top speed of more than 200 mph. The 5.8-liter supercharged V8 aluminum-block engine produces 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world.

Nearly every part of the powertrain has been optimized for producing the additional horsepower, including a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.

And nearly every gear on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 has been revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver-friendly.

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 will be built at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

It was on this day twenty years ago, February 6, 1992, that Ford announced the Special Vehicle Team (SVT), forever changing the Ford Mustang. The program, originally headed by the legendary John Coletti, was developed to create high performance vehicles, and while a few other Ford vehicles received the SVT treatment including the Contour, Focus and F-150, the Mustang was always the main focus. Beginning with the SVT Cobra in 1993, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team began a tradition of offering the ultimate in factory Mustang performance that continues today with the 650 horsepower Shelby GT500.

Here’s a look back at the Mustangs that SVT has developed and produced over the past 20 years.

1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra  The original SVT Mustang. The Cobra debuted in 1993 with an upgraded version of the 5.0-liter V8 producing 235 horsepower and 280 lb-ft torque thanks to high-flow cylinder heads, an upgraded upper intake manifold, a more aggressive camshaft, a larger throttle body and high-flow fuel injectors. The T-5 5-speed transmission was also upgraded to handle the extra power, and a unique suspension system developed by Tokico was also used.

1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R  The rarest of all SVT Mustangs (only were 107 built), the 1993 Cobra R is the first in a line of legendary “R” Mustangs that were designed to drive on the racetrack. Upgrades from the standard SVT Cobra model include larger front and rear brakes, power steering fluid and external engine oil coolers, a strut tower brace, aluminum radiator, unique 17-inch wheels with Goodyear tires and adjustable Koni shocks. The 5.0-liter V8 retained the same specs as the one in the standard Cobra, but it had less weight to push around thanks to the deletion of the radio, air conditioning, rear seats and all sound deadening material.

1994-1995 SVT Cobra  For 1994 the SVT Cobra received the new styling of the SN-95 Mustang as well as upgraded brakes, a new rear suspension setup and wider wheels and tires. The SVT Cobra model was further differentiated from the standard Mustang GT thanks to a unique front bumper with round fog lights and COBRA embossed on the rear bumper. The 5.0-liter V8 remained for 1994, although it received a slight bump in output to 240 horsepower. In 1995 a removable convertible hardtop became an option.

1995 SVT Cobra R  SVT decided to once again produce a Cobra R model for 1995. Like its predecessor the Cobra R featured a variety of upgrades to perform at the racetrack including the deletion of the rear seats, radio, power windows and air conditioning. Unlike the 1993 model, however, the 1995 SVT Cobra R received an upgraded engine in the form of Ford’s 5.8-liter Windsor V8 that produced 300 horsepower. A beefier Tremec 3550 5-speed manual replaced the T-5 unit, and a larger fuel tank and a heavy duty suspension were also installed. The exterior featured a unique hood to clear the larger engine as well as deleted fog lights that fed cool air to the front brakes.

1996-1998 SVT Cobra  In 1996 Ford replaced the aging 5.0-liter V8 with a new “modular” 4.6-liter engine. Although smaller, the new powerplant had a higher output – 305 horsepower and 300 lb-ft torque – mated to a Borg Warner T-45 5-speed transmission. During this time SVT also released a very limited edition Cobra with “Mystic Chrome” paint that shifted color depending on the light.

1999 SVT Cobra  Ford launched a new SVT Cobra in 1999 with the “New Edge” styling, but the changes were more than skin deep. For the first time in the Mustang’s a history an independent suspension replaced the solid rear axle out back. The 4.6-liter V8 was rated at 320 horsepower and 317 lb-ft torque

2000 SVT Cobra R  After a five year absence the Cobra R model returned for 2000, although the track-ready model wasn’t dulled down during its time off. The 2000 Cobra R is the most aggressive Mustang ever built and is essentially a street legal race car. Under the hood the 4.6-liter engine was swapped in favor of a 5.4-liter V8 producing an underrated 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft torque. The Cobra R was incredibly capable at the track with a suspension system co-developed by Eibach and Bilstein, Brembo 13-inch front brakes, sticky BFGoodrich G-Force KD tires, a race fuel cell and a close-ratio Tremec T56 transmission. The exterior also played the part, with an aggressive front splitter, side exhaust and a massive rear wing. Magazine tests showed that the 2000 SVT Cobra R was capable of producing more than 1.0g of lateral acceleration on the skidpad, could reach 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and had a top speed of more than 175 mph.

2001 SVT Cobra  While very similar to the 1999 model, the 2001 SVT Cobra received several substantial updates due to findings that the 4.6-liter V8 wasn’t producing the as-advertised power. After a year-long pause in production for 2000, SVT rectified the situation in 2001 with a heavily revised 4.6-liter V8 using an all-new engine block and redesigned cylinder heads. Several other changes were made, including switching to a Tremec 3650 transmission, upgrading the axles and differential, as well as subtle exterior and interior updates.

2003-2004 SVT Cobra  The SVT Cobra entered the forced induction era with the introduction of the 2003 model. Codenamed “Terminator” by SVT, the new Cobra featured an all new high-strength cast iron block in favor of the standard aluminum version and featured forged internals to handle the extra power from the Eaton M112 supercharger. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 390 horsepower and 390 horsepower, although many owners easily modified their cars to produce much more thanks to the strong components of the engine that could handle the additional horsepower. During this time Ford also produced a few limited edition SVT Cobras including a 10th Anniversary edition and the Mystichrome SVT Cobra with color shifting paint.

2007-2009 Shelby GT500  The SVT Cobra era ended with the launch of the S197 Mustang in 2005, but it was soon replaced by the Shelby GT500 in 2007. Developed by SVT in cooperation with Shelby, the 2007 GT500 features a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 producing 500 horsepower and 480 lb-ft torque making it a fitting continuation of the SVT.

2008-2009 Shelby GT500KR  Built as a modern version of the 1968 Shelby GT500KR, the new “King of the Hill” featured several upgrades compared to the standard Shelby GT500 including a new suspension setup and unique Goodyear Eagle F1 supercar tires for improved handling as well as a new intake system that allowed for the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 to produce 540 horsepower. Visually the GT500KR is set apart by its aluminum 18-inch wheels, unique front and rear fascia and lightweight carbon fiber front splitter and hood. Production was limited to 1,571, the same number of cars produced in 1968.

2010 Shelby GT500  The GT500 received a new look in 2010 along with the standard Mustang, but it was also upgraded to match the performance of the GT500KR. Output of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 was changed to 540 horsepower and 510 lb-ft torque, and a variety of other changes made for a much improved car as well. SVT further developed the suspension system for better handling, a new clutch system provided better delivery of power to the 6-speed manual transmission, and a new shifter allowed for easier and quicker shifts.

2011-2012 Shelby GT500  Development of the Shelby GT500 continued in 2011, with SVT replacing the heavy iron block supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with a new lightweight aluminum block unit. The suspension system was also revised to compensate for the reduced weight on the front of the car. For the first time SVT also offered a Performance Package for the GT500 that included Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, lightweight forged aluminum wheels, 3.73 gears and a performance-tuned suspension.

2013 Shelby GT500  SVT shocked the automotive world with the launch of the all-new 2013 Shelby GT500 at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show. Producing 650 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque thanks to an increase in displacement to 5.8-liters and a larger TVS2300 supercharger system, the new Shelby GT500 is capable of reaching more than 200 mph. SVT also fine-tuned the suspension system at the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany to ensure that it handle with the world’s best supercars. New features for 2013 also include a Torsen limited-slip differential, a new Brembo brake system, a launch control system and slightly revised bodywork for improved aerodynamics.

Patterson has also launched a new web site for the magazine with giveaways, photos and an online store. Head over to FoxMustangMagazine.com to check out the web site, see what’s in the debut issue, or subscribe.

Last weekend one of our readers spotted the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jets on display at Daytona Speedway for the Grand-Am race. Apparently Ford Racing didn’t just bring the new Cobra Jet out to Florida just to display for race fans, as they also took the cars out to nearby Palm Beach International Raceway for testing. Two versions of the 5.0L Cobra Jet are being offered for 2013 – supercharged and naturally aspirated – and Ford Racing had both examples on track to test different gear ratios, shift points and suspension settings.

While the 2013 Cobra Jet likely won’t be as fast as the previous 5.4L cars, the new model does feature several improvements. Lightweight body components provide better weight distribution, electric power steering allows for improved drivability,  a new roll cage is both safer and stiffer, the brakes have been improved, and a new rear suspension setup allows for quicker launches.

So how quick is the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet? Ford Racing has uploaded video footage of the two cars testing at track, but unfortunately leave us guessing as they don’t show any of the times. Even so, it’s worth checking out the new Cobra Jet in action. Just hit play in the video below.

That’s right. After years of posting, talking, gloating and crying Toby’s Eleanor project has finally been completed! The lucky guy took delivery from John just before Christmas and am delighted to say that all has gone well and Toby is over the moon.

For those who have been following this blog over the years you will know all to well the trials and tribulations we’ve had with Toby’s car. Many things have gone wrong and it’s been a long and very expensive road for Toby though from the emails I’ve been getting from him it sounds like it’s all been worth it.

Take a look at the history to see before and after progress.

The car features the wonderful original French made LeCarra 18 Rivett steering wheel and also worth noting is the rear reverse lights which have an amber lens. For those wanting to keep it white but still have that amber turn signal (required by law in some countries) don’t forget to check out MustangsProject.

Massive thanks to John, our builder, who spent years of his FREE TIME to put together an awesome vehicle. Unlike mass produced restorations this car was put together with love over many years.

I think the best quote from Toby was “Mate, this thing turns more heads than a Ferrari”

I’ll be back home to Australia in a matter of weeks and aim to meet up up grab some more photos and some videos. Stay tuned.

© 2012, 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. All rights reserved.

Ford has just released pricing for the 2013 Mustang lineup including the V6, GT and Boss 302. Those who are interested in the Mustang V6 will be happy to know that pricing has mostly stayed the same, with the base V6 coupe keeping its MSRP of $22,995 and the premium V6 coupe staying the same as well at $26,995. The biggest differences in the 2013 pricing are with the GT models. The base Mustang GT now has a suggested MSRP of $31,095, up from $29,995 in 2012, and the 2013 premium Mustang GT now carries a price tag of $35,095, up from $34,895 in 2012. Pricing for the GT Convertible models have increased as well, with the base model priced at $36,095 (previously $34,995), and the premium GT Convertible going for $40,095 (previously $38,895). Pricing for the Boss 302 models have risen by $2,000, with a $42,995 msrp for the standard model ($40,995 in 2012) and a $49,990 msrp for the Laguna Seca ($47,990 in 2012).

Ford has also released pricing for the various option packages for the 2013 Mustang. Of note are the Recaro seats now available in the V6, GT and Shelby GT500 models ($1,595 for both cloth or leather), V6 Performance Package ($1,995), Electronics Package ($2,340), Brembo Brake Package ($1,695), and GT Track Package ($2,495).

Here’s the full 2013 Mustang pricing breakdown, all of which include a $795 destination and delivery charge.

2013 Mustang Pricing

• 2013 V6 base – $22,995
• 2013 V6 Premium – $26,995
• 2013 V6 Convertible base – $27,995
• 2013 V6 Convertible Premium – $31,995
• 2013 GT Coupe base – $31,095
• 2013 GT Coupe Premium – $35,095
• 2013 GT Convertible base – $36,095
• 2013 GT Convertible Premium – $40,095
• 2013 Boss 302 – $42,995
• 2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca – $49,990

2013 Mustang Notable Option Pricing:

• 6-Speed Automatic Transmission – $1,195
• Recaro Sport Seats (leather or cloth) – $1,595
• Recargo Sport Seats & Torsen Differential (Boss 302 only) – $1,995
• V6 Performance Package – $1,995
• Glass Roof – $1,995
• Reverse Sensing System & Security Package – $695
• Comfort Group (Premium only) – $650
• Electronics Package – $2,340
• Red Candy Paint – $395
• Gotta Have It Green Metallic Tri-Coat Paint – $495
• Brembo Brake Package (GT only) – $1,695
• GT Track Package – $2,495
• Shaker Pro Audio System – $1,295

Fun Ford Weekend has announced the creation of the Cobra Jet Challenge, a special class devoted to the FR500CJ Cobra Jet Mustangs produced by Ford Racing. The race class will be sponsored by Aeromotive, with the first event being held at the Fun Ford Weekend season-opener at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas from March 23-24.

“Racers and spectators alike are in for an awesome show of Ford horsepower with the Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge,” said Jeff Lacina of Fun Ford Weekend. “Right from Ford Racing, these are awesome race cars, but once the owners and race teams get a hold of them, they are amazingly fast race cars. There are some very colorful cars – and owners – in the Cobra Jet family. Thanks to Aeromotive and the owners of the Fun Ford Weekend Series, the Cobra Jet Challenge will be a highlight of the weekend for the racers and spectators.”

“To be a part of a legend, the Ford Cobra Jet, is a truly something special,” said Jesse Powell of Aeromotive. “Writing your name in the history books is not something that most people get a chance at. For a manufacturer, its extremely rare. These are awesome cars and any chance we have to get these on the race track is a treat for the owners as well as the fans. We want to show our support to both Ford and to the owners of these vehicles by providing an opportunity to race.”

Complete rules for the 2012 Aeromotive Cobra Jet Challenge will be announced during the week of February 6 and available online at www.funfordweekend.com.

2012 Fun Ford Weekend Series Schedule

• March 23-24, Royal Purple Raceway (Houston)
• April 20-21, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas)
• May 11-12, Rockingham Dragway (Rockingham, N.C.)
• June 15-17, Virginia Motorsports Park (Petersburg, Va.)
• June 22-23, Bandimere Speedway (Denver)
• June 29-30, Bristol Dragway (Bristol, Tenn.)
• August 10-12, Gateway Motorsports Park (St. Louis)
• August 17-18, Maple Grove Raceway (Reading, Pa.)
• September 2, Castrol Raceway (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
• September 7-8, Texas Motorplex (Dallas)
• September 14-15, Palm Beach Intl. Raceway (Palm Beach, Fla.)
• September 28-29, Memphis Intl. Raceway (Memphis, Tenn.)

[Source: Fun Ford Weekend]

Back in December it was reported that the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible would be making its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Of course, that prediction ended up being wrong, although we still got our fill of Mustangs at the show thanks to Shelby debuting their Anniversary Edition Mustangs and Ford showing off new colors for the 2013 Mustang and the 2013 Boss 302.

Now a new report from LeftLaneNews.com states that the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible will actually be making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show next week. What can we expect from the Shelby drop top? Our guess is that Ford might have made some chassis reinforcements to deal with the additional power from the supercharged 5.8-liter V8, although it’s likely the top speed will be limited compared to the coupe’s 202 mph limit.

We’ll bring you more details about the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible as soon as we have them, and check back next week for live photos of the car from the floor of the Chicago Auto Show.

2011 wasn’t a great year for Mustang sales, with Ford selling four percent less of their legendary pony car than in 2010. The start of the new year represents an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, though, and 2012 started off on a positive note with a total of 3,736 Mustangs sold in the month of January. Yes, that number marks a a significant decrease compared to the previous month’s sales of 5,057, but it’s also an 18 percent improvement compared to January of 2011 in which just 3,165 Mustangs left dealers’ lots. Of course, it’s not as good as January 2010′s sales of 4757, but at least the trend is moving in a positive direction.

So what will it take for Mustang sales to stay ahead of last year? February was the third weakest sales month of 2011 with just 3,697 Mustang sold, so it’s possible that even more ground can be gained in the next 29 days. Plus, the arrival of the refreshed 2013 Mustang, Boss 302 and 650 horsepower Shelby GT500 in the next couple months should also help boost sales figures significantly.

Overall, Ford sales for this past month are up seven percent compared to January of 2011, representing Ford’s best January sales month since 2008.

President Barack Obama recently visited the Washington D.C. Auto Show to check out the latest offerings from the automotive industry. The Commander-in-chief sat in a variety of cars including the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Dodge Dart, Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2013 Ford Fusion, but his favorite was reportedly the 2013 Shelby GT500. After sitting in the car the President joked “this is what I needed in high school,” and according to sources called the car “sick”.

President Obama also praised the entire U.S. automotive industry, calling the new cars “a testimony to the outstanding work done by workers, American workers, American designers.” He continued, “we are now back in a place where we can compete with any car company in the world. … I’m just very proud of what we’re seeing here.”

You can see President Obama talk about the 2013 Shelby GT500 and the other new American cars at the Washington D.C. Auto Show in the video below.

[Source: Jalopnik, Detroit News]

It’s pretty obvious that Mustang fans believe the modern Boss 302 will be a future classic, but what about the rest of the automotive community? According to Hagerty, at least, the Boss 302, specifically the Laguna Seca model, is destined to be a collector car in the coming years. The classic car insurance company recently released their annual “Hagerty Hot List” predicting what current cars under $100,000 will be in high demand in the future, and the race-ready Mustang made it onto the list. “This year’s Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. Hagerty praised the Boss 302 for its versatility, saying the car “is a beast on the race track, yet tame enough to drive on the street– and all for less than $50,000.”

So what other cars made it onto the list? The Mustang’s rival Camaro ZL-1 was named, as well as the Porsche 911, Dodge Charger SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Volkswagen Golf R, Buick Regal GS, Fiat 500 Abarth, Nissan GT-R Black Edition and Audi TT RS.

[Source: Hagerty]

Ford Racing officially unveiled the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet at the PRI Show back in December, with the latest version of the turn-key racer getting two both naturally aspirated and supercharged 5.0-liter V8 powertrain options for the first time. The 2013 Cobra Jet also received various improvements compared to the 2012 model including better weight distribution, electric power steering, a new roll cage design and improved suspension geometry. Like in previous years, the Cobra Jet will be a limited edition model with just 50 examples scheduled to be built.

We haven’t heard much about the 2013 Cobra Jet since then, but an anonymous Ford Racing fan sent us these photos of not one but two examples on display at the 24 Hours of Daytona this past weekend. In addition to the black Cobra Jet that was at PRI, Ford Racing also brought out a white Cobra Jet with no graphics. You can see them both in the gallery below.

The Ford Motor Company never forgets its heritage and is constantly showing us exactly how proud a company they are. That’s why last year you may remember they launched Fordimages.com, a site with archival photos of all FORD images that were previously locked away but now available for purchase.

Now recently released images of Ford Motor Company’s San Jose plant show us just what Mustang production looked like in 1964 in Milpitas, California. The first Mustang rolled off the line at the San Jose plant early Friday morning on July 10, 1964.

Check out the high-resolution images below along with the captions explaining the photos.

“On the padded fingers of an assembly line hoist at Ford Motor Company’s San Jose plant at Milpitas, Calif., a Mustang convertible body swoops in to meet its rear axle. The plant’s passenger car production switched July 10, 1964, exclusively to Mustangs to meet a growing backlog of orders with an added 420 cars per day.” Western Public Relations Office, Ford Motor Company, San Francisco.

“Mustang bodies move along the line prior to receiving corrosion-protective coating as the San Jose assembly plant of Ford Motor Company at Milpitas, Calif. The plant rolled its first Western-built car in the sporty new make off the line July 10, 1964.” Western Public Relations Office, Ford Motor Company, San Francisco.

“Fenders for the new Mustangs are unloaded at the San Jose assembly plant of the Ford Motor Company at Milpitas, Calif., in preparation for production of the first Western-built model July 10, 1964. Mustang parts, originating in all parts of the U. S., arrive by rail and leave by rail and truck as shiny new hardtops and convertibles.” Western Public Relations Office, Ford Motor Company, San Francisco.

“Decking the engine. The unfinished nose of a Ford Mustang receives its 289-cubic-inch V-8 engine on the final line at the Ford Motor Company’s San Jose assembly plant at Milpitas, Calif. The passenger car line was converted totally to Mustang production, with the first car off the line early Friday, July 10, 1964.” Western Public Relations Office, Ford Motor Company, San Francisco.

Assembly line at the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Milpitas, 1964.

“Man made rain from above, below and from the sides subjects a Mustang to the test which assures buyers of a water-tight vehicle. An invisible dye in the water, when exposed after a three-minute storm to black light, detects by a magic glow the slightest trace of water. The test is one of hundreds which pin the top quality label on Mustangs now produced at Ford Motor Company’s San Jose assembly plant at Milpitas, Calif., where the first Western-built Mustang rolled off the final line July 10, 1964.” Western Public Relations Office, Ford Motor Company, San Francisco.

Source: Ford Motor Company

© 2012, 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. All rights reserved.