Autoweek looks at Ford Mustangs that never were

When a car has been around for nearly 50 years, like the Ford Mustang, it is bound to go through many generational styling changes. In most cases, it will also be the subject of several design studies and concepts that never make it to the auto show stage. With the 2015 Ford Mustang just days away, we though it would be a good time to look back on some of those concepts that most of the world never got to see.

Now, some of these are better than others. There are some we wish some would have taken the place of the Mustangs that actually debuted. Here are eight of them, in chronological order.

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1963 Ford Allegro concept

As the Avventura concept moved from sketch to physical design model, the hatch was replaced with a trunk and the rear seat was switched to a more conventional forward-facing orientation. Originally shown internally as Avanti, the name was eventually changed to Allegro, likely because Studebaker had introduced its own production Avanti coupe around the same time.

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1967 Ford Allegro II

The Allegro II started with the Avanti/Allegro fastback coupe, then the greenhouse was removed and replaced with a low-cut speedster-style windshield, rollbar, flying buttresses on the rear deck and a new rear end.

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1968 Ford Mustang Mach I concept

As the first-generation Mustang transitioned from a pony car to a larger and heavier big-block muscle car, the Mach 1 concept was created as a preview of the 1968 model. The original nose of the concept drew inspiration from the 1963 Mustang II concept.

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1970 Ford Mustang Milano concept

First shown publicly at the February 1970 Chicago Auto Show, the Mustang Milano concept previewed the nearly horizontal rear deck and sharp, extended nose that would be seen on the production 1971 model. However, aside from those two elements, the Milano didn't really bear much resemblance to any production Mustang. In fact, the car that looks like it drew most heavily on the Milano profile was the Australian-market Falcon XB coupe of the mid-1970s.

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The 1980 Ford Mustang RSX concept looks like a futuristic Chevy Beretta to us.

Created at the Italian Ghia design studio, the RSX was conceived as a rally special based on the new third-generation Mustang that debuted for the 1979 model year. With a one-inch-wider track and 5.6-inch-shorter wheelbase than the road-going Mustang, the RSX had extra ride height that would be needed for dealing with the off-tarmac stages of European rallies.

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1990 Ford Mustang Rambo design study

This alternative proposal dubbed, “Rambo,” was deemed too extreme for production.

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1992 Ford Mustang Mach III concept

The Mach III provided the first public hints of the new design direction that was coming for the fourth-generation Mustang. While classic elements like the grille-mounted pony badge, side scoops and tri-bar taillamps were included on the 1994 Mustang, the two-seater layout and the low-cut speedster windshield have never been part of a regular production Mustang.

Ford Mustang at 50

The Ford Mustang turns 50 years old during 2014; to celebrate the many lives of America’s favorite pony car, we’ll be posting selections from our archives all year long. Check out our Mustang minisite where you’ll find news, road tests, sneak peeks and even classic Mustang ads from the pages of Autoweek. We’ll also have all the latest news and photos surrounding the redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang as it rolls out, so stay tuned.

By Jake Lingeman