Which iconic Ford car was first released in the 1960s?

The Ford Mustang. Debuting on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair as a 1965 model (with early “1964½” production), the Mustang quickly became a cultural touchstone, defining the “pony car” segment and reshaping American automotive design and marketing.

How the Mustang made its debut

Conceived under Ford executive Lee Iacocca, the Mustang arrived as a stylish, affordable coupe with a long-hood/short-deck profile and a starting price of about $2,368. Unveiled alongside an unprecedented national marketing blitz—including prime-time television spots and massive showroom events—the car drew an estimated 22,000 orders on day one. Early cars are often called “1964½” Mustangs because production began months before the traditional 1965 model-year start, though Ford officially categorized them as 1965s.

Why it became iconic

The Mustang captured a burgeoning youth market with customization, performance options, and a price point that put sporty styling within reach of mainstream buyers. Sales surpassed 418,000 in its first 12 months and crossed 1 million units by early 1966—astonishing numbers that cemented its status. The car’s quick ascent into pop culture—appearing in films like Bullitt (1968) and countless songs—sealed the Mustang’s reputation as an American icon.

Key milestones in the Mustang’s 1960s rise

The following highlights trace how the Mustang evolved from a bold launch into a phenomenon by the decade’s end.

• 1964: Public debut at the New York World’s Fair; immediate sales surge and widespread media coverage.
• 1965: Introduction of high-performance variants, including the Shelby GT350, elevating the car’s racing credentials.
• 1966: The 1,000,000th Mustang rolls off the line, underscoring unprecedented consumer demand.
• 1967: A restyle brings a slightly larger body and the potent GT500 (via Shelby), expanding performance appeal.
• 1969: Boss 302 and Boss 429 models showcase track-ready engineering aimed at Trans-Am and NASCAR homologation.

Together, these moments established the Mustang not only as a sales hit but as a versatile platform—equally at home as a stylish daily driver and a legitimate performance machine.

Impact and legacy

The Mustang’s success spurred direct rivals—Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, AMC Javelin, and others—igniting the late-1960s pony-car wars. Crucially, the Mustang has remained in continuous production, evolving through seven generations. The current seventh generation (introduced for the 2024 model year) continues the lineage with modern tech and performance while preserving the classic fastback silhouette—evidence of a nameplate that has adapted without losing its identity.

Clarifying other 1960s Ford icons

Ford produced several notable 1960s vehicles, including the GT40, which began racing in 1964 and dominated Le Mans from 1966 to 1969. While the GT40 is legendary in motorsport, the Mustang is the iconic Ford car first released to the general public in the 1960s and remains the brand’s most enduring cultural symbol.

Summary

The Ford Mustang, launched in April 1964, is the iconic Ford car first released in the 1960s. Affordable, customizable, and instantly popular, it created the pony-car segment, influenced generations of rivals, and endures today as a globally recognized automotive icon.

What was the most popular Ford in the 60s?

The Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, introduced in 1964, is arguably one of the most iconic and recognizable cars in the world. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and rich history, the Mustang has become synonymous with American automotive muscle.

Which Ford car was first released in the 1960s?

The Ford Falcon: The Compact Pioneer
Introduced in 1960 as an economical compact car, the Falcon was designed to target the emerging subcompact market and compete with models like the Chevrolet Corvair and Rambler American.

Which iconic vehicle was launched by Ford in 1964?

The Mustang’s grand debut came on April 14, 1964 for the press and April 17, 1964 for the general public. The official unveiling took place at the largest exhibit at the New York World’s Fair, the Ford Pavilion also known as the Wonder Rotunda.

What was the old Ford car in 1960?

1960 Ford

Ford
Also called	Ford Fairlane (1960–61) Ford Galaxie (1960–64) Ford Ranch Wagon (1960–62) Ford Country Sedan (1960–64) Ford Country Squire (1960–64) Ford Courier (1960) Ford 300 (1963) Ford Custom (1964)
Production	1960–1964
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size Ford