Flat Rock Assembly turns out millionth Mustang

Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant has a four-decade history split between the Blue Oval and Mazda. As of last year, the facility was back under Ford's sole control. And now, into its ninth model year of Mustang production, Flat Rock's built its millionth example of America's longest-running pony car.

Given the basic value of the V6 car -- especially since the introduction of the 305-hp 3.7L V6 for 2011 -- and the sheer performance numbers available from the V8 cars, it's not surprising they've built a million of 'em in nine years.

The millionth car, a Ruby red convertible, rolled off the Flat Rock line on the Mustang's 49th anniversary and at a time where the live-axle, V8 muscle machine has reached its peak of development. Plunk down $60k at your local Ford store and you'll be in possession of a 200-mph vehicle.

If you were lucky enough to snatch up a Boss 302 in the past couple of years, you own one of the most magical cars built in the past decade -- by anyone, anywhere, at any price.

Ten years ago, the Mustang featured questionable styling and unfortunate interior design, but it was the only machine left playing the classic pony-car game. The Camaro/Firebird had quit the field the previous year. Mopar hadn't built an apples-to-apples Mustang competitor since the much-coveted E-Body Challenger/Barracuda said goodbye after 1974.

Today, faced with competition from both the Challenger and Camaro, both of which feature more theoretically advanced chassis, the 'Stang holds its own.

The next-generation car will be radically different. It'll be lighter, less slavishly retro and an independent rear end will finally come standard across the line. Turbo-four power returns for the first time since the SVO of the 1980s. It won't be a repeat of the darkest-hour Mustang II; we're certain the performance will be there. But we'll miss this template. And by the time the next Mustang bows for 2015, we're betting there'll be at least a million other people who'll feel the same way.

By Davey G. Johnson