Originally envisioned as a second-gen Falcon, Ford’s Mustang immediately became its own legendary self when it was introduced April 17, 1964 and became the most successful Ford launch since the Model-A.
Ford’s original Pony Car, the Mustang, has been the top-selling muscle car of all-time, with nearly 10 million vehicles sold, and it has occupied the No.1 yearly slot in muscle car sales since 2015, when it supplanted Chevy Camaro in total yearly sales. This year, the 2021 Mustang is in a horserace for the top spot with Dodge Challenger … but with an expected new design in the works for the 60th anniversary in 2024, the new 2022 Mustang receives a few cosmetic changes. Last fully revamped in 2015, and refreshed in 2018, Mustang adds the return of the limited-edition Mustang Mach 1 fastback coupe, first seen in 1969.
With the addition of Mach 1, the 2021 Pony car stable includes Mustang EcoBoost® and Mustang GT, both available in fastback and convertible models, as well as the track-ready Mustang Shelby® GT500® the most powerful street-legal Ford in history and the most advanced Mustang ever on the street, track or drag strip. The new Mach 1's heritage-inspired appearance plays off an aerodynamic design, cosmetic-yet-functional front end, stylish black stripes on the hood and bodysides and a blade spoiler. From a performance perspective, Mach 1 gains power enhancements and handling elements also available on Shelby GT350 and GT500 offerings. The Mach 1 comes with a 480hp 5.0-liter V8 engine and .an available Rallye Suspension Package and improved Brembo brakes. The system is EPA rated at 15/23 mpg, and has been clocked at 4.2 seconds for a zero-to-60mph sprint and a 12.6-second quarter-mile.

For Mustang EcoBoost and GT models, 2021 introduces standard Ford Co-Pilot360™. The suite of driver-assist technologies includes auto high-beam headlamps, rearview camera, Blind Spot Information System, Lane-Keeping System, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support. A front and rear Belt Minder® safety belt reminder system and rain-sensing wipers are also standard.
In Oxford White with a Ceramic (white) interior, and a 6-speed manual transmission – I love a muscle car with a stick … so much more tire-smoking, power when I ask for it fun than in an automatic, my test ride added an EcoBoost handling package and a Pony package. It came with Recaro cloth seats, Mach 1 instrument panel bade with a unique chassis number and the Mach 1 Handling Package: 19-inch by 10.5-inch (front) and 19-inch by 11-inch (rear) Dark Tarnished-painted aluminum wheels; 305/30R19 (front) 315/30R19 (rear) tires; adjustable strut top mounts; front bumper sport; blade decklid spoiler and a Magnetic Rear seat with a folding split bench.
Standard exterior features include Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler, hood vents, LED sequential taillights, Pony Projection Lights, rear diffuser, performance rear spoiler, bright 4.5-inch exhaust tip finish, manual fold and pony puddle lamp, unique lower and outboard grilles, unique front upper grille with Pony badge, silver painted strut-tower brace with Mach 1 badge, unique front and rear lower fascia and rear-window defroster.
Standard Power and Handling items include Brembo™ six-piston front brake calipers with larger rotors, electronic line-lock (track use only), independent rear suspension, launch control, selectable drive modes, Selectable Power-Assisted Steering, MagneRide® damping system, heavy-duty front springs, larger radiator, Open Air Induction System, Performance Enhanced Powertrain Calibration, unique intake manifold, black painted brake calipers, Unique Chassis Tuning, Active Valve Performance Exhaust System with Revised Tuning and more.

Interior Features include cabin particulate air filter dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, aluminum foot pedals, ambient lighting with MyColor® and 4.2-inch cluster, auto-dimming rearview mirror autolights (automatic on/off headlamps) with wiper activation, bright chrome door speaker surround, premium carpeted floor mats with accent stitch, illuminated door-sill scuff plates, intelligent access with push-button start, leather-wrapped parking brake handle, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls and tilt/telescoping steering column, MyKey®, power windows, rear view camera, heated steering wheel, 9-speaker sound system with amplifier, AM/FM Stereo MP3 capable, SiriusXM®, SYNC® 3, FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and more.
Safetywise, the Mustang includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping System, 4-way adjustable front head restraints, 3-point safety belt restraint system for all seating positions, glove box door-integrated knee airbag,
AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control, driver's knee airbag, dual front airbags
front-seat side-impact airbags, LATCH Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children, Personal Safety System™ for driver and front passenger, Safety Canopy® side-curtain airbags, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, Ford Co-Pilot360™ and more.
The 2021 EcoBoost Fastback starts at $27,205, EcoBoost Premium Fastback $32,225, EcoBoost Convertible $32,705, GT Fastback $36,285, other Premium models run from $37,725 to $45,785, and the Mach 1 starts at $53,400, with the Mach 1 Premium at $53,300 and the Shelby GT500 at $72,900.
My tested 2021 Mustang Mach 1 with the $1250 Mach 1 appearance package was priced at $57,745.
You can expect to see 2021 and 2022 Mustangs as well as 58 years of Ponies and just about everything Ford has offered since 1903, at the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals, June 3-5, 2022 at the Carlisle(PA) Fairgrounds.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>