1964 1/2 Ford Mustang
Build Sheet
| Year | 1964 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Base 170 cu in (2.8 L) Thriftpower inline-six; optional 260 cu in (4.3 L) and 289 cu in (4.7 L) small-block V8s (the early 'D-code' 289 four-barrel and later High Performance 'K-code' 289) |
| Horsepower | 101-105 hp for the 170 six; 164 hp for the 260 V8; 210 hp for the 289 four-barrel, rising to 271 hp for the HiPo 289 |
| 0–60 mph | Around 5.2 seconds for a 289 HiPo car with a 4.11 axle; slower six-cylinder cars in the 11-14 second range |
| Production | Roughly 121,500 'early' 1964 1/2 Mustangs built before the August 1964 changeover; about 22,000 orders were taken on the first day of sale |
| Original MSRP | About $2,368 base for the hardtop; the convertible listed near $2,557 (1964 dollars) |
| Current value | Driver-quality early cars commonly trade around $20,000-$35,000, with V8 convertibles and HiPo cars higher; estimate as of 2025 |
The Story
The Ford Mustang introduced on April 17, 1964 created an entire class of automobile and remains one of the most successful product launches in the history of the industry. Cars built in this first short production window, before the running changes of August 1964, are known affectionately to enthusiasts as 1964 1/2 models. Though Ford titled them all as 1965 cars, the early examples carry distinct details that collectors prize, and they mark the true beginning of the pony car.
The Mustang's genius lay in its formula. Built on humble Falcon underpinnings to keep costs low, it wore long-hood, short-deck proportions that looked far more expensive than its modest price, and it offered a deep catalog of options that let buyers configure economical commuters or genuine performers. The base engine was the 170-cubic-inch Thriftpower inline-six, but the more memorable choices were the V8s: the early 260, the 289 four-barrel rated at 210 horsepower, and the formidable High Performance 289, the K-code, which produced 271 horsepower and turned the Mustang into a serious road car capable of reaching 60 mph in around five seconds.
At launch the Mustang was offered as a hardtop and a convertible, with the fastback arriving later in 1964. Pricing was deliberately accessible, with the hardtop listed near $2,368 and the convertible around $2,557, figures that put the car within reach of a broad audience. The public response was overwhelming. Ford reported roughly 22,000 orders on the first day, and early production reached well into six figures before the model-year transition.
The 1964 1/2 Mustang endures as both a cultural landmark and a beloved entry point into classic car ownership. Solid driver-quality early cars generally trade in the $20,000 to $35,000 range, with V8 convertibles, fastbacks, and documented HiPo examples commanding more, as of 2025. Few cars combine historical significance and approachability as gracefully as the original Mustang.
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