April 17, 1964. That date is burned into automotive history: the day Ford unleashed the Mustang on the world at the New York World’s Fair. With its long hood, short deck, and undeniable charisma, the Mustang didn’t just make a splash—it created a wave. In the six decades since, this pony car has left rubber on the pavement and an indelible mark on American culture.
As we look back on the Mustang’s 60th anniversary, we’ve unearthed some of the most compelling and little-known tales about the first-generation cars—stories that span continents, time periods, and even war zones. Whether you’re a trivia lover, a lifelong fan, or just Mustang-curious, here are seven standout stories from the early days of Ford’s iconic creation.
1. America’s Favorite Export on Four Wheels
Between 2011 and 2021, over 20,000 first-gen Mustangs found new homes overseas, making it the top American classic car export. From Germany to Australia, enthusiasts across the globe are drawn to the same qualities that have made the Mustang an enduring symbol at home: easy-to-find parts, head-turning looks, and that undeniable “Made in America” flair. Wherever it goes, the Mustang carries the spirit of American muscle.
2. The First Mustang Owner Was a Schoolteacher
Before Lee Iacocca could even pull the cover off the Mustang at the World’s Fair, one lucky woman had already driven one off the lot. Gail Wise, a young elementary school teacher in Park Ridge, Illinois, walked into her local Ford dealership on April 15, 1964, looking for a convertible. She left with a brand-new Mustang—two days before its official launch. The car, a gleaming blue convertible, cost her $3447.50. Decades later, her husband lovingly restored it, and to this day, Gail says driving it makes her feel 22 again. Talk about timeless.
3. A Mustang Too Important to Crush
When Captain Stanley Tucker walked into a dealership in Newfoundland, Canada, he had no idea he was about to make Mustang history. He managed to purchase VIN #001—a Wimbledon White convertible that was supposed to be a display-only preproduction model. Typically, such cars were never sold to the public and often ended up scrapped. But this one slipped through the cracks. Ford, realizing its mistake, later traded Tucker the one-millionth Mustang to get the first one back. A win-win, if ever there was one.
4. The Indy Pace Car You Couldn’t Buy
It’s no surprise that the Mustang was chosen to pace the 1964 Indianapolis 500—it was, after all, the car of the moment. But the replica pace cars Ford built to commemorate the event? Those weren’t for sale to the public. Instead, they were used as prizes in dealer contests. With their unique graphics and early-build quirks, these 1964½ Indy Pace Car Replicas are now among the rarest and most sought-after Mustangs of the era.
5. The Mustang That Traveled Through Time
At the 1964–65 World’s Fair, visitors to Ford’s Wonder Rotunda boarded Mustangs for a ride on the Disney-designed Magic Skyway. These cars—including 23 actual 1965 Mustangs—glided past animatronic dinosaurs and into a futuristic cityscape. While they didn’t really time-travel, the journey certainly fired up imaginations. Some of these “Skyway” Mustangs survived, and today, they stand as unique intersections of car culture and theme park magic.
6. One Boss 429’s Tour of Duty
Among the most ferocious first-gen Mustangs is the Boss 429, and one of them led a very different kind of mission. In 1970, Ford collaborated with performance parts brands to create a fleet of six Mustangs—dubbed “Lawman” cars—for a global military tour. Designed to wow U.S. servicemen stationed across the Pacific, from Vietnam to Japan, these cars weren’t just about fun. Ford used them to promote safe driving, performance education, and American engineering. One of those six was a Boss 429 fitted with drag tires, a massive blower, and a parachute. Safe to say, it left an impression.
7. The Mustang Restoration Empire Run by Twins
The Mustang isn’t just a car—it’s a family tradition. Nowhere is that clearer than in Chicago, where Mustang Brothers, the world’s most prolific Mustang restoration shop, operates under the leadership of 30-year-old twins, Preston and Cody Ingrassia. The shop began as Mustang Restorations, founded by their father, Christopher Ingrassia. Today, the brothers carry on the legacy, restoring hundreds of cars each year, from bone-stock originals to high-end restomods. In a world of fleeting trends, their shop proves that the love for first-gen Mustangs isn’t going anywhere.
The first-generation Mustang isn’t just a car—it’s a storybook, filled with tales of ordinary people who became part of something legendary. From the teacher who beat the launch date to the Mustang that toured Vietnam, each story is a reminder of how deeply this car is embedded in the American experience.
So whether you’re lucky enough to own one, dreaming of your first, or just tipping your hat to 60 years of Mustang greatness, there’s never been a better time to rediscover the ride that started it all.
