Mustang’s birthday celebrated at Big Z
The Ford Mustang celebrates its 50th birthday this year, with car club parties planned throughout America, Europe, Australia and other countries where the Pony Car was sold.
Pony Power. Franco Scribante’s Mustang will be one of eight racing at Zwartkops on
February 1. Picture: Supplied.
In South Africa, the first celebration will be held at the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria, as part of the venue’s international historic racing festival on Saturday, February 1.
A total of eight Mustangs will compete on the day, with six in the Pre-66 legend saloon car events, and another two in the Trans-Am races.
The Mustang was the brainchild of a group of Ford Motor Company US design team rebels under the leadership of one Lee Iacocca.
Iacocca was threatened with dismissal by Henry Ford II if the product failed. His sales target was 100 000 units in the first full year 1965. That was a total miscalculation – Ford sold some 680 000 Mustangs in the first year.
Racing was a short step behind. Caroll Shelby turned the car into a winner in America, while Alan Mann introduced the vehicle to the Europen circuit.
The Mustangs made their racing debut in South Africa in December 1965 at the Rand Grand Prix.
The Legend races on February 1 will see Mustangs in the hands of Franco Scribante, Thomas Falkiner, Ferdi van Niekerk, Brian Rowlings and two British visitors.
The Trans-Am races will see the Mustangs of Ben Morgenrood and Mark du Toit.
