2024 FORD MUSTANG

 

FIGHTER PLANE OR A HORSE? MUSTANG DOES TRIBUTE TO BOTH

Though it sparked the birth of a segment that became known as the “pony car” and silhouettes of a running horse dominate its logo, the common story behind the birth of the Ford Mustang is that was named for the P-51 fighter plane that played a huge role in the Allies’ victory in World WarII.

An account of Ford Mustang history detailed on the website hotcars.com, however, also includes the idea that the inspiration for the name does indeed refer to a horse because of a suggestion by a Ford marketing manager who bred quarter horses.

Still another theory outlined is that Lee Iacocca, an executive with Ford in the 1960s and often referred to as the father of the Mustang for getting the project started, wanted to name the car after the SMU Mustangs football team.

Though the SMU logo features a horse that is shown running in the opposite direction of the Ford Mustang emblem, I have my doubts about the Iacocca theory. 

SMU was winless in in the 1960 college season and won only 8 games against 22 losses and a tie from 1961 to the 1963 season while the car was being developed. I can’t imagine a marketing director that would want that image for a new car.

The P-51 story is the more popular theory and several sources flat out credit it as the origin without even mentioning the other possibilities. I don’t recall, however, any TV ads linking the car and U.S. fighter, but early commercials certainly featured horses (check YouTube).

So the mystery remains. What isn’t questioned, however, is the enormous impact the Ford Mustang has had in automotive history.

Now in its seventh generation since its launch in the spring of 1964 as a 1965 model (often dubbed 1964 1/2), the Ford Mustang was an instant hit. The company hoped for 100,000 in sales for the first year and  22,000 were sold the first day it hit showrooms. Nearly 560,000 were sold in 1965, its first full year on the market.

The Mustang has been featured in several movies, including the James Bond classic Goldfinger in its first year.

As mentioned earlier, it also spawned a whole slew of smaller, sporty, rear-wheel-drive coupes and convertibles that formed what became known as the “pony car” segment.

Some of its competitors have disappeared from the scene entirely with the folding of companies like Plymouth, Pontiac, and American Motors, but the Ford Mustang still reigns.

To save you from going the math, the 2024 Mustang celebrates its 60th anniversary as it approaches 10-million in sales all-time.

The 2024 Ford Mustang is offered in coupe and convertible form and in five trim levels: Ecoboost, Ecoboost Premium, GT, GT Premium, and Dark Horse.

The turbo-charged 2.3-liter engine in the Ecoboosts models are rated at 315 hp and 355 lb.ft. but have a significant advantage in efficiency with EPA ratings of 22 miles-per-gallon city, 33 highway and 26 combined compared to 15/24/18 for the naturally aspirated V8.

Ecoboost models come only with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The V8 can be mated with either an automatic or a 6-speed manual. This review is based on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible with the automatic. With either engine you get a choice of six drive modes — normal, sport, slippery, track, drag strip, and custom. 

Designers significantly updated the interior for the 2024 Ford Mustang convertible, giving it a more upscale appearance and more comfortable setting. (Well, except for the two backseat riders.)

Two curved displays dominate the dash. You can customize the 12.4-inch instrument display to your liking, and infotainment features in Ford’s Sync 4 system are easily accessed on the 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Standard features on the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible include LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, heated and cooled front seats, Smart charging ports, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, keyless entry and push-button start, rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad and the Ford Co-Pilot system (blind-spot warning, lane-keeping alert, collision warning and more). An illuminated Mustang logo greets you when you approach the car at night while in possession of the key.

The fully lined cloth top is lowered and raised via a button above the interior mirror, but you still have to close a latch to secure it.

The base 2024 Ford Mustang Ecoboost convertible starts at just over $39,000, and the 2024 Ford Mustange GT Premium convertible starts at $52,880.

Pricing was not available for my test 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium, which add optional extras like a GT Performance Package. Come on, Ford. Please put it on the Monroney spec sheet. I promise not to try to sell it. Keep it yes, sell it no.

What I liked about the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible: Performance is a real kick. Tech features are plentiful and easy to operate. The fully lined cloth top folds conveniently into a specific rear space without intruding on an already snug trunk (10.3 cubic feet). The sound from the dual exhausts is mesmerizing.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible: The backseat is pretty useless as far as accommodating passengers (unless they have no legs). 

Would I buy the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Premium convertible? In a heartbeat. Yes, 4-cylinder Mustangs offer the same classic looks  and are good performers in their own right, but to experience the full scope of what the Mustang is all about you have to go with the V8 version, which means GT or Dark Horse.