1967 Ford Mustang Coupe

In 1967, Ford Motor Company wanted everything about the Mustang to be improved. Although it retained the original basic chassis and inner structure, it was redesigned. Most obvious was its fresher styling. Designers toyed with the Mustang's trademark grille, bodyside sculpting, and tail. The theme was more performance, so the side scallops got deeper, while its grille and rear panel were enlarged.

Its interior got a make-over. The standard front bucket seats were back, but the available console now swept up to meet a new "twin-cowl" instrument panel unique to the Mustang. Drivers faced a pair of large, circular dials below three smaller gauges. Besides looking cool, the new dash allowed for integrated air conditioning, even though a hang-on unit was still available from dealers. Newly optional for all models was  "Tilt-Away" steering, as well as an AM radio with 8-track tape player, and a Convenience Control Panel above the radio with reminder lights for door ajar, parking brake, low fuel, and seatbelts. Safety features were added like padded armrests, windshield pillars, sunvisors, and dashtop, a double-laminate windshield, a breakaway day/night mirror, standard seatbelts with pushbutton buckle releases and reminder light, built-in anchors for dealer-installed shoulder belts, four-way emergency flashers, and door locks that couldn't accidentally be released from the inside door handles as well.

As for performance, the big news for the '67 Mustang was the availability of the 320 hp, big-block 390 "Thunderbird Special" V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor that cost $264 as a Mustang option. It was usually teamed up with Ford's new "SelectShift" Cruise-O-Matic, which cost $233. The 200-cid straight six was still the base power, and the 2-barrel, 200 hp Challenger 289 was the base V8 for $106. A 4-barrel, 225-hp Challenger Special V8 was $158, and the 271 hp Cobra 289 V8 mill was $434. All Mustang powerplants offered a standard 3-speed manual, a new close-ratio 4-speed option, and the SelectShift automatic.

A wider front track helped make room for the big-block and gave better handling to the Mustang. The front springs were moved from below the top crossmember to above it, giving the '67 Mustang similarly lowered upper A-arm pivots and a raised roll center like Carroll Shelby's GT-350. Noise, vibration, and harshness were also reduced with new rubber bushings at suspension attachment points.

The 390 V8 made for a front-heavy Mustang, making it touchy despite the F70-14 Firestone Wide-Oval tires. A Competition Handling Package was highly recommended to fix that problem, which required the $205 GT Equipment Group. Also available with the Cobra 289, this comp package gave stiffer springs and front stabilizer bar, 15-inch wheels and quick-ratio steering, added premium Koni adjustable shocks and a 3.25:1 limited-slip rear end, giving it improved handling. Big-block customers wanted blazing straightline acceleration, and the 390 delivered. It's 0-60 mph time was 7.5 seconds, standing 1/4 mile was 15.5 seconds at 95 mph, and reached close to 120 mph all out.

Performance like that made the 1967 Mustang more popular. Ford decided the Mustang was going to be around for awhile, so they invested some money to make the Mustang more enjoyable. Buyers echoed these opinions, confirming that Ford did what it set out to do. Today, the 1967 Ford Mustang remains one of the most popular cars of all time.