1964 Ford Mustang
First generation · Original / classic 1964–1973 “1964½” launch year
The original pony car. Launched April 1964 (the famous “1964½” cars, titled as 1965s) and produced through 1973.
The 1964 model year
Overview
The Mustang launched at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964, with the earliest cars built from March 1964. Enthusiasts call these first cars “1964½” — Ford titled and VIN’d them all as 1965 models, but they are mechanically distinct from the cars built after the August 1964 changeover. First-week orders exceeded 22,000.
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 170 I6
- 260 V8 (~164 hp, dropped for regular '65) 164 hp
- 289 4-bbl "D-code" (early-only, ~210 hp) 210 hp
- Transmissions
- 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- Body styles
- Hardtop, Convertible
- Base price
- $2,368 (hardtop, 170 six) ≈$24,000 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- ~121,538 early cars
Year over year
What changed
- Launch year — the defining early features set these cars apart from the regular 1965s.
- DC generator (later replaced by the alternator at the August 1964 changeover).
- 170 six and 260 V8 were both retired for the regular 1965 model year.
- The 289 "D-code" 4-bbl was an early-only engine.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Early cars use a ~35A DC generator vs the early alternator (~45A) that replaced it — many owners convert to an alternator.
- Generation-wide unibody rust is the chief concern: floor pans, cowl, and shock towers.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Early-production cachet — the generator, early engines, and D-code 289 mark a genuine 1964½ car.
- Originality and matching-numbers drive value; there are no fixed dollar values for these cars.
Sources
- Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (first generation)"
- FordMuscle — "The Mythical 1964½ Mustang"
- Vintage Mustang Forums / CJ Pony Parts
- HotCars
- Speedway Motors
- Gilmore Car Museum
Other First generation years
Explore the Original / classic generation → All First generation · Original / classic years →