‘The Mustang can be tailored to be anything from a gentle in-town ladies’ car to an impressive 130mph highway performer.

Undoubtedly its almost infinitely variable personality is one of the car’s chief attractions…’ Motor Magazine Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupé part way through the 1964 season, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard.

Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of ‘64.

The secret of the Mustang’s success was a broad appeal that extended beyond the target market thanks to a great value-for-money package combining sporty looks, decent economy and brisk performance.

Mustangs could be ordered in specifications ranging from six-cylinder ‘economy’ to V8-powered luxury, while customers could choose from an extensive range of factory options, with...