Mustang Display, 1964 NY World's Fair

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Something's not quite right, as fastbacks weren't around until the production began of the true 1965's, sometime in late July/early August 1964.  This picture can't be from the Mustang Reveal when the World's Fair opened in April, 1964.

I believe that picture is from the 50th Mustang anniversary at Ford.

blowing up the pic is see a lot of ladies wearing dresses. it might be the early release of the mustang in '64... maybe

I picked up some info (as well as seeing the prototype) car at the MCA show when it was at Grand Island a couple of years ago. They did have a prototype fastback looking car used in promotions and shows etc.. as early as 63.

Unfortunately since I was young at the 64 Worlds fair I dont recall this display. I do remember sitting in the drivers seat of a Fairlane convertible with 3 others in the car as we rode, with other people in Ford cars thru some futuristic ride they had running at the time.

Hmmm.. wonder if that did some kind of Ford imprinting on my brain or something??

Ford did have "design studies" for the fastback roof earlier than the 4/64 release date.   Gale mentioned to be they had a FIBERGLASS ROOF fastback pulled off the early wood buck.     I would have to do research on exact date for a pre-production (non K Code) fastback built.     250010 and 250011 were H1  (aug 65 DAP cars)

Same with photo - would have to research if Ford switched out. (like they did with the Magic Skyway cars/but that was for rebuilding more than marketing)

The FAIR ran 365 days from 4/22/64 to 4/21/65.  At .40 and .46 seconds you can see the car shown a 64.5 Convertible.  https://youtu.be/wyslxuj1b-E 

Mark

This coupe was also rotated (maybe used in the winter months)

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2015/01/Mustang-Takes-Center-Stage-/3745361.html#PhotoSwipe1546448910712

If you choose "photo gallery" you can see the GT350 and that Fastback BUT no date as to WHEN in NYC. Ford constantly used the fair for marketing - right up to the end with the Empire State Building car on display after the fair ended.

Scroll to the bottom - for the promise of a fastback for 1965 ! (DONE research) http://www.nywf64.com/ford05.html

Click to expand...

Something's not quite right, as fastbacks weren't around until the production began of the true 1965's, sometime in late July/early August 1964.  This picture can't be from the Mustang Reveal when the World's Fair opened in April, 1964.

Click to expand...

There were fastbacks early in production. I have pictures of one somewhere but on film. It was at our Asheville Civic center had production date before July and had generator and all the other 64 1/2 differences. He was somewhat of a collector had one of the Factory racing 57 T-birds that ran on beach in Daytona. If I recall right he lived in Fla. it was a cream color.

When I talk with Gale Halderman again I will ask specifically about that. He told me last year that when they presented the fastback to Iaccoa he said "we've got to do it." I think Gale's first sketch was the fastback. I have his book I will look in it. I have seen pictures of prototypes with T-5 signs in front of fastbacks on the internet also. Some of the just bodies used in the worlds fair display were sent back to the factory and finished and sold. They are the ones that bring big money. Made from the prototype tooling. There are actually 3 different hoods used the first year. The very early car hoods sell for thousands. The second edition was the one with the radius not hemmed in the front next to headlight and the 65 was hemmed.

I believe I have a program from the Ford display from the Worlds Fair I will have to see if I can find it and see what is in there.

Ok went ahead and pulled Gale's book out. On page 54 the same picture is there with the red fastback. Under the picture it states, "Visitors were greeted by this fastback Mustang near the entrance of the World's Fair in New York City. This was where the Mustang , in all three offerings (convertibles, sedan, and fastback) would debut to the world. Photo Courtesy John M. Clor / Ford Performance Communications Archive).

There is another view on page 55 showing the lines going into the display with the fastback in the background.

Gale states in his book it was officially released about 4 months after the convertible and sedan.

Some glare on the pics of the book. I ordered an early copy from the MOM, Mustang Owner's Museum, cost is $42.95 but is written my by the people who did the work not MM, lol.

Also note in one of the clay models had the Cougar emblem in grill. Was changed at last minute to Mustang.

Thanks for posting that....I couldn't find my book (Gale just gave it to me the day before the release) !

Mark

P.S. And THANKS for being open to discussions (like this) on a 71 -73 forum! While we know FB groups would require much teaching , elaboration and "CORRECTING" wrong replies......here MOST probably know the story pretty well. If fact, many of the print info was from Donald F, Bob F and other well heeled historians. I didn't link those BUT worth the read online. I just googled 64 Worlds Fair, Ford Mustang etc etc