1. A Legend Is Born
In 1962, a young Lee Iacocca, then Vice President of Ford, envisions the first Mustang Prototype. From 1970-78 he leads Ford as president. Looks like building the Mustang was a good career move.

2. Fast Concept
The modeling of the original Mustang in 1962 took just 11 days. Only a few days longer than your last relationship.

3. Myth Buster
The Mustangs namesake was not the legendary P-51 fighter plane that was flown during WWII and the Korean War, as many enthusiasts believe. If that were true, wouldn't the grill ornament be a plane? According to Ford's original design team, the Mustang was named after the horse of the Western American plains known for its endurance and speed, and they're sticking to it.

4. Number One
The first production Mustang ever built is on display for future generations to enjoy at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. Interestingly enough, this milestone vehicle almost didn't make it there. See Mustang moment number 8.

5. Just Can't Wait
In 1963, Mustang ads appear in magazines providing a first look at the highly anticipated car. The baby boom ends a men flock to the showrooms.

6. Landmark Moment
An eager press corps assembles on the Empire State building observation deck for a look at the Mustang. To manage the feat, a Mustang is disassembled, freighted up a service elevator, and put back together.

7. Affordable Cool
Jaws dropped when the 1964 Mustang's sticker price was revealed at an affordable $2,368. A gallon of gas cost 75 cents.

8. Oops!
Ford intended to drive the first mustang built across Canada on a tour of dealerships. Mustang #1 was accidentally sold to an airline pilot who drove it approximately 10,000 miles, then traded it in back to Ford. The pilot must have thought was buying a wingless P-51 Mustang.

9. Like Hot Cakes
The first production model is introduced in 1964 selling 22,000 on the first day.

10. Yeehaw!
The mustang runs wild at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, capturing every urban cowboys imagination.

11. News Flash
In 1963, a magazine ad ran in national newspapers proclaiming, "The most exciting thing on TV tonight will be a commercial." That evening, 29 million Americans tuned in at 9:00pm to watch Ford unveil its Mustang.

12. Devotion
In 1964, fearing that someone else would get the last car on the lot, a man in Arlington, TX slept in a Mustang at the dealership until his check cleared the next morning.

13. Caught in the Headlights
A truck driver in San Francisco was apparently drawn into a trance by the sight of the Mustang, and drove his truck straight through the showroom window, He later woke up in the arms of a saleswoman.

14. Record Breaker
By its first anniversary, 418,812 Mustangs were sold.

15. Sold!
Ford's original estimate for Mustang sales was 100,000 cars in the first year of production. More than 100,000 Mustangs were sold in the first four months.

16. Wild Success
One million Mustangs were on the road within 2 years.

17. Slow Down!
Hot-rodding parents in the US bought more than 93,000 pedal-powered children's Mustangs during the 1964 Christmas season. Speed traps were setup in playgrounds.

18. Hot Shot
In April 1965, The Mustang's faster, meaner big brother, the Mustang GT debuted.

19. Honored
A mustang pace car leads the herd at the Indianapolis 500 in 1965.

20. Speed for Rent
In 1966, 930 Mustang Fastbacks and six convertible Mustangs GT-350's are available as rental cars for young vacationers with a need for speed.

21. Shelby Love
in 1965, 36 lightweight Mustang R-model Shelby GT-350 Fastbacks are built to wreak havoc on the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) B-Production road racing class. Shelby Mustangs stay at the head of the class from 1965 through 1967.

22. On Its Own
The first Mustangs were built on Ford Falcon platforms. 1973 marked the first model that discontinued the use of Falcon parts.

23. The Boss
Through the vision of Ford's design chief Larry Shinoda, the '68 and '69 Mustang, named "The Boss," became one of the most celebrated designs in Mustang history. He was very popular around the water cooler.

24. Space Ship
the design of the aggressive hood scoops on the '71 Mustang Mach 1, which mounted directly onto the carburetor, were borrowed from NASA technology.

25. Big Breed
The 1971 Mustangs were the biggest ever built. These behemoths were nearly a foot longer and 600 lbs. Heavier that the originals.

26. Taking a Break
The Pony Grill ornament design slows from a gallop to a trot in 1974.

27. Muscled Down
Just in time for the 1974 energy crisis, the Mustang II debuts trading in muscle for fuel efficiency. This becomes one of Ford's most important cars and likely saved the Mustang from extinction.

28. Color Me
In the 1960's and early 70's, orders of new Mustang's could be made in any color. This included pink, purple, and blue, popular with the ladies and fancy lads.

29. Setting the Pace
In 1979, the redesigned Mustang again becomes the Official Pace Car of 52nd Annual Indianapolis 500.

30. Fight Speed with Speed
In 1982, just in case anyone though they could outrun the law, The California Highway Patrol purchased 400 5.0 Liter Notchback Mustangs. Speeding ticket revenues double.

31. Facelift
in 1994, The Mustang is dramatically restyled to celebrate its 30th Anniversary, changing 1,330 of its 1,850 parts to evoke its performance heritage. The car was lighter and more efficient than its former counterparts.

32. Big Star
in 2000, the third SVT Mustang Cobra R is produced. Only 300 of these street legal, 385hp beasts are made. You should be so lucky to own one.

33. Yo Soy Mustang
The word "Mustang" comes from the Spanish word, "mesteno," which means "wild or untamed" horse. Don't ask where "mesteno" comes from wise guy.

34. Fast Pace
In 1994, a SVT Mustang Cobra convertible takes Official Pace Car duty for the third time at the 77th Annual Indianapolis 500.

35. Faster Than A Speeding…
In 2001, Ford debuts the Mustang Bullitt GT inspired by the 1968 Mustang GT390 driven in the movie classic. Tough-guy fans rejoice.

36. Survival of the Fittest
In 2002, The Mustang stood alone as the only "pony car" class vehicle built as two long-time competitors stopped production.

37. Land Rocket
With top speeds reaching170mph, the latest SVT Mustang accelerates from zero to 60mphin about 4.7 seconds. Faster than it takes a supermodel to shoot down your feeble advances.

38. Collectible Classics
A pristine '64-'65 Mustang classic can fetch up to $100,000 but a quick search in today's vast collectors market can yield a variety of restored 1965 models in the $10,000 range.

39. Company Milestone
In 2004, Ford Motor Co. produces its 300 millionth car, a convertible 40th Anniversary edition Mustang.

40. The Next Wave
Mustang unveils the 2005 Mustang concept car in 2002. Meant to be a milestone in design, the new evolution pays homage to some of the greatest Mustangs from the 60's. Production will be available in the Fall of '04.