1968 GT/CS Misconceptions

This is a CS myth I've never seen before. It's from an ad for a '68 coupe.

California Special Rear Tailpipe Skirt

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Popular car, a lot of anecdotal "facts" get generated.... a couple favourites of mine, not GT/CS specific are "GT Hood" (louvered) or "GT Dash" (meaning a tach to many...).... :wink:

I heard a "fact " that the Mustang was not named after the 4 legged Mustang, but the P 51 Mustang. I hope that's true because I am a WW11 fan of bombers ( B-17, B-25, P-38 and the P-51 and Corsairs). I figure someone on the website would know.

Thanks/Sam

GT/CS Misconception

I heard the same thing years ago that the Mustang was named after the P51 fighter

sam said:

I heard a "fact " that the Mustang was not named after the 4 legged Mustang, but the P 51 Mustang. I hope that's true because I am a WW11 fan of bombers ( B-17, B-25, P-38 and the P-51 and Corsairs). I figure someone on the website would know.

Thanks/Sam

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It's probably a bit of both. This seems like the most plausible theory, given that Najjar was one of the lead designers of the Ford Mustang...


In his book “Mustang Genesis,” author Bob Fria quotes designer John Najjar:

R.H. Bob Maguire, my boss, and I were looking through a list of names for the car. I had been reading about the P-51 Mustang airplane and suggested the name Mustang in remembrance of the P-51, but Bob thought the name as associated with the airplane was too ‘airplaney’ and rejected that idea. I again suggested the same name Mustang, but this time with a horse association because it seemed more romantic. He agreed and we together selected that name right on the spot, and that’s how it got its name.

From “Mustang Genesis: The Creation of the Pony Car” by Robert A. Fria

Of course, the P-51 was originally named for the horse so...

One of the best P-51 movie scenes ever... "Horsepower!"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RszxM_SDMzU

Excellent and thanks for the clarification !

sam said:

Excellent and thanks for the clarification !

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...The P-51 connection was also pointed out in some detailed Mustang documentaries we'd seen years ago, adding they also felt the "horse" would be better marketing for the original "secretaries car" concept as the Mustang was intended.

All I will add is being around P-51s became my ultimate inspiration...>

Midnight Special said:

All I will add is being around P-51s became my ultimate inspiration...>

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Amen to that...

Midnight Special said:

...The P-51 connection was also pointed out in some detailed Mustang documentaries we'd seen years ago, adding they also felt the "horse" would be better marketing for the original "secretaries car" concept as the Mustang was intended.

All I will add is being around P-51s became my ultimate inspiration...>

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Tim, great picture with your car and the P-51, I have a picture 0f 2 P-51's above my desk. Great inspiration for sure.
Sam

sam said:

Tim, great picture with your car and the P-51, I have a picture 0f 2 P-51's above my desk. Great inspiration for sure.
Sam

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...Very nice, Sam
The blue car in the earlier post is Renee "PonyGal"'s car. She often works with me here in Grass Valley and Reno to unite these magnificent Mustangs wherever possible ;-)

Midnight Special said:

...Very nice, Sam
The blue car in the earlier post is Renee "PonyGal"'s car. She often works with me here in Grass Valley and Reno to unite these magnificent Mustangs wherever possible ;-)

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Nothing better than P-51 engine noise ( Rolls Royce). In September we had a B-24, B-17, B-25 and P-51 come for a few days to our local airport. Was great to witness and see them fly. Our previous mayor owned a P-51 several years ago and used to fly over the neighborhood...........what a treat. He's no longer our mayor and I haven't heard or seen his P-51 in years............
Sam