The design origins of the Mustang, the world's bestselling pony car, have been told via a number of books and stories over the years. To celebrate it's 57th birthday, we are releasing some new planning documents which will add to the body of information on how the car was designed. Some of the earliest planning documents when the car was still code-named the "T-5" or "Special Falcon Project" and weekly reports during the critical design phase will give Mustang lovers plenty of new material to read.

Documents

XT-Bird compared to Special Falcon 03/23/1962 (Early in planning process we considered a different T-Bird)
Product Strategy Meeting Special Falcon Program 07/24/1962 (July planning memo to prepare for August Session)
Special Falcon Program Outline 9/10/1962 (August planning document before design review session)
Operating Policy Committee Special Falcon Program presentation Iacocca blue letter 12/11/1962 (Iacocca memo that launched the Mustang)
T-5 Styling Notes (Styling chronology of the Mustang showing various options)
Special Falcon Project Status Reports 10/03/1962 - 03/20/1963

Photos

On August 16th, a design competition was held between the three Ford Motor Company design studios with the Ford, Lincoln Mercury and Advanced Products Studios all presenting options for the Special Falcon Project

The Ford Studio submitted one clay with two variations between the driver and passenger door views.

The Lincoln Mercury studios submissions featured both sleek and fastback options.

The presented the most designs including the Allegro which became a concept car.

Mustang Design Origins

Documents

Photos