Mach 1 History
The Ford Mustang was introduced 38 years ago and has earned its place as a true American legend. From its inception, Mustang took the automotive world by storm, spawning fan clubs of enthusiastic baby boomers that were just coming of driving age in the mid-1960s. It seemed everyone wanted a Mustang and Ford was all too happy to provide one.
In the first year, Ford sold more than 600,000 Mustangs. Derivatives came quickly as customers wanted to personalize their Mustang. There were numerous body styles, from coupe to fastback to convertible, and scores of powertrain and styling packages.
The original Mach 1 was introduced in 1968 as a concept car with a hatched fastback, aggressive hood and side scoops and a unique paint scheme. In 1969, the Mach 1 was one of three new Mustang models that made it into production. It featured the familiar fastback body with simulated side scoops high on the quarter panel, an aggressively raked air dam on the front and a spoiler on the rear, ?comfort-weave? leather seats and the now famous, ?shaker hood scoop? mounted directly onto the carburetor and fitting through an opening in the hood.