1966 Ford Mustang - The Stuff of Legend

Being a "legend" can be challenging. Having worked with many, both real and in their own minds, I can tell you that most of them are nothing in person what people think they would be. Then again, what people think they are, most times, has nothing to do with made them "legends" in the first place. Not that it would make a difference. If you become a legend for something other than what makes you what you are as a human being, most likely, there's going to be a disconnect between you and you, "The Legend". 

 

When Ford pulled the wraps off their new Mustang in April of 1964, a legend was born. The Stuff of Legend being little more than a humble Ford Falcon with a fabulous body bolted down on top of it. Much like someone who became a legend for something different from what they are as a person, The Mustang didn't become a legend because it was a swell car. Contemporary reviews of it were scathing; its not like it became sucky in retrospect. No. It sucked from the get go. Brakes that faded quickly, slow handling. A bobbing suspension. Cramped interior. Sluggish engines. You can almost feel the disappointment in the Road and Track and Motor Trend articles. The authors wanting the Mustang to be everything it looked like it could be. Oh, did I mention this car was cheap too? Cheap and good looking? Sign me up. Bad brakes, horrible steering and handling be darned.

Do clothes make the man or woman? In this case, absolutely. Under this slamming bod is a weak kneed, primitive, Ford Falcon. Take one for a drive. You'll see. "Is there something wrong with this thing?" America didn't care, though. Ford sold more than a million of these things before GM launched the Camaro and Firebird in 1967. To become the legend it became, a car with such humble beginnings would have to have at least the body that it had. Oh, and the price was real nice too. Let's not forget that.

 

Ford did offer some "go fast" options and a somewhat improved handling suspension but the lions share of sales were comely "little" six cylinder buckets like this. The little Mustang with its plucky styling was all about image. She was all show, no go. 

 

However, compared to a contemporary Ford Galaxie, the Mustang was a relative joy to drive. Everything, again, being relative. Little did it matter, though. Ford sold plenty of these cars cheaply because of that killer bod. That killer bod, "The Stuff of Legend".