Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition premieres at New York auto show

Ford launched the Mustang 50 years ago this week at the New York World's Fair. To celebrate the iconic pony car's birthday, Ford will be revealing a 2015 Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition, just 1,964 examples of which will be built. The limited edition model premieres at New York auto show this week, and will go on sale this fall.

The 50th Anniversary Edition will be based on the 2015 Mustang GT fastback with the performance pack, and it will only be available in two colors: Kona blue or Wimbledon white, like the car above, as a nod to the first-ever Mustang with Serial No. 0001 that was sold to Capt. Stanley Tucker in April of 1964. The 50th Anniversary Mustang will be powered by the upgraded 5.0-liter V8 making 420-hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and as part of the Mustang GT performance pack, it will feature large six-piston Brembo front brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Y-speed-rated Pirelli P-Zero summer tires.

“Mustang fans love to drive their cars, even the rarer examples of the breed, so we built this limited-edition from the best-performing 2015 Mustang available -- the GT fastback with the performance pack,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. "While some collectors will undoubtedly stash this car away in a museum, those who choose to hit the open road will get a world-class sports car that can run with the best."

The 50th Anniversary Mustang will also be the only 2015 model that will offer the combination of automatic transmission and the performance pack (a manual will also be available); in fact, transmission choice will be the only option on this fully loaded Mustang. When optioned with the six-speed automatic, the 50th Anniversary Mustang will get a limited-slip rear differential with a 3.55:1 final-drive ratio, while buyers who opt for the six-speed manual get a Torsen rear differential with a 3.73:1 final drive ratio.

Autoweek
The version shown in New York is finished in Wimbledon White.

To set this special edition version of the Mustang apart visually, Ford has introduced unique trim elements, such as a cashmere-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument panel, shifter boot, center armrests, door inserts, and seats. The 50th Anniversary Mustang will also feature seats with exclusive two-tone cashmere and black leather upholstery, with the Mustang 50 Year logo positioned on the seat backs. The cars will also feature loop-carpet floor mats with cashmere stitching and suede binding.

"Chrome trim was much more prevalent on cars in the 1960s than it is today, so we added some discreet highlights for the grille, side glass and tri-bar tail lamps," said Moray Callum, Ford vice president of design. "The darker Kona blue provides a particularly striking contrast against the chrome."

Ford
The interior gets a few special materials, as well as a plaque and headrest designs.

On the outside, the special edition Mustang will be distinguished by chrome bezels surrounding the base of each of the three tail lamp blades, as in the original 1962 design proposal by Gale Halderman, and a faux gas cap badge on the rear fascia, with "50 Years" lettering added. The 50th Anniversary Mustang will also feature louvered rear-quarter windows, in a nod to the 1965 fastback model, though these louvers are made of layered sheets of glass and fabricated using a construction technique developed just for this car.

"When Mustang was approved for development more than 50 years ago, I don't think anyone imagined it would spawn such a dedicated base of fans around the world and still be in production today,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Co. "We are thrilled to be here in New York -- where Mustang was first shown to the public at the 1964 World's Fair -- to re-create that historic event for today's Mustang enthusiasts."

The 50th Anniversary Mustang will be among the first built when the 2015 Mustang enters production this fall, with pricing to be announced at a later date.

"We wanted to provide our most dedicated fans with the emotion of the original Mustang in a 21st century car," said Ford. “With this 50 Year Limited Edition, I believe we have accomplished our goal."

The 2014 New York auto show runs April 16-27 and is expected to attract a range of production and concept cars including the 2015 Mustang convertible, BMW M4 convertible and next Hyundai Sonata. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage at autoweek.com/new-york-auto-show.

By Jay Ramey