Uniqueness of the early Ford Mustang Mach Concepts

Mystique Variants The Ford Mustang is one of the American iconic sports car whose reportedly adapted the name of the legendary USAAF fighter plane in the World War II era and began its life as a pony car and later developed into a legendary muscle car.

Despite the original Mustang being a major hit from its launch in mid-1964, that didn’t stop Ford from thinking about future variants of the car such these Mustang Mach 1 and 2 Concepts. (Picture from: MustangSpecs - NetCarShow)

These Ford's legendary cars produced from 1964 to this day. In the Ford's car family, nowadays the wild horse logoed models have reached six generations so no wonder if it was known as the longest-produced car ever, besides as the title holder of the fifth-best selling Ford car nameplate.

The first generation Ford Mustang while launched at the 1964 New York World's Fair. (Picture from: CintaMobil)

Over time, the Ford Mustang evolved from a "pony car" (1964-1965) to a muscle car with the typical "long hood, short deck" proportions. The success story of the Mustang sparked the presence of the AMC Javelin (1968), Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird (1967), and Dodge Challenger (1970). This car is said to have inspired the design of the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri in the United States.

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept drawing was created by Ford designer Charlie McHose and and brought into life by his colleague Peter Stacy back in the 1966. (Picture from: NetCarShow)

As we all know the Mustang big name are started with a design study conducted by the Dearborn-based car manufacturer in 1963 through a unique roadster prototype called the Ford Mustang I Concept then followed by Ford Mustang II Concept a few months before the Ford Mustang first generation was produced in 1964.

The Mustang Mach 1 Concept envisioned a competition-prepped persona with a few forward-thinking features. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Despite the original Mustang being a major hit from its launch in mid-1964, that didn’t stop Ford from thinking about future variants of the car. The first future model was launched in 1966 and was known as the Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept. Initially this model was prepared by Ford stylists to see and explore some of the design updates to be applied to the 1969 upcoming model.

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 Concept was prepared by Ford stylists to see and explore some of the design updates to be applied to the 1969 upcoming model. (Picture from: NetCarShow)

This Mustang Mach 1 Concept drawing was created by Ford designer Charlie McHose, also known for designing body enhancements for the legendary 1967 Shelby GT 500 and brought into life by his colleague Peter Stacy. It built for show duty in late 1966, and then restyled front and rear in the 1968 without incorporate a number of the ideas.

The Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept shared some of the styling cues from a GM/Opel GT, and most of the parts, however, were pulled originally from a Mustang, including the front suspension, brakes, and the 289 engine. (Picture from: TheMustangSource)

The Mustang Mach I was a two-seat fastback with a very aggressive looking chopped roof profile. Each of the rear pillars featured a flip-open racing-style gas cap while larger than normal air-scoops dominated the flanks. The sloped rear end included a hatchback, a feature that wouldn't appear on a production model until the 1974 Mustang II.

The Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept was definitely an eye catcher two seater sports coupe featured with a fully chromed high-bumper and powered by a 4,7 liter capacity (289 ci) V8 engine was able to produce 225 hp. (Picture from: NashShan)

The next model is the Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept, it brought to life by the Ford's Chief of Design Eugene Bordinat and the Ford Special Vehicles Group and Kar Kraft, the Mach 2 Concept was their attempt at a mid-engine version of the Mustang. The prototype, first shown at the 1967 Chicago Auto Show was thought to be a potential replacement for the Shelby Cobra.

The mid-engine Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept is fitted with the precipitous car tail with its integrated, roundish taillights and actually shown at the 1967 Chicago Auto Show as a concept that never made it into production. (Picture from: TheMustangSource)

Bearing more resemblance to a Corvette from the side than a Mustang, it powered by a 289 V8 powertrain which was mounted behind a two-seat passenger compartment, and shown Ford really serious ceased to make the front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration for the Mustang. Despite its layout, the car still managed to have a long hood and short tail end with distinctive Mustang styling.

Since the car never made it beyond the auto show circuit, we have no idea it might have handled in comparison to the nose-heavy, tail-waggy Mustangs we all know and love. All we know is that it had an independent rear suspension long before the production Mustang first got one in 2015. Unfortunately, all those mentioned cars above are including dozens that make it to the concept stage, but never see production.

Sometimes what seems like a good idea on the drawing board, and on a spinning stage at an auto show, isn’t the right car to bring to market. Those kind of cars should step aside shortly after its show duty over and fades into automotive history.😢 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS | NETCARSHOW | MUSTANGSPECS | THEMUSTANGSOURCE | MOTORTREND | MOTOR-JUNKIE | AUTO-YAHOO ]

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