Split 1965/2015 Mustang Puts Pony Car’s Evolution Into Perspective

By Tony Markovich - May 17, 2016

double_stang

The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum (NIHF) just opened a new permanent installment, the Intellectual Property Power Exhibit, and it needed something to represent the innovation the automotive industry has seen in the past 50 years. Few single models have been more influential in that time than the Ford Mustang, so it was chosen to be a part of the exhibit. But they weren’t just going to throw a 50th Anniversary Mustang on the floor and call it a day.

The Museum worked with Ford and Classic Design Concepts to create an interesting split Mustang display: one side with the new 2015 model, and one with the original 1965. Lopped off in the middle of the body, the car is meant to highlight the patent process by showing a side-by-side look at various features, details, and inventions both inside and out. Interestingly enough, the Mustang wasn’t given any style patents. It wasn’t until the car became a success that those were applied.

“Everything moved so fast in the design and run-up to production of the original Mustang that there were no styling patents issued back then,” Ford director of technology commercialization and intellectual property licensing Chris Danowski said in a press release. “Now look at the current car; 2015 Mustang Convertible alone was granted 36 styling patents, which ensure the unique look stays with the car. It also has many unique functional patents for things like the airbag structures, 911 Assist, and so many other technologies baked right in.”

Check it out for yourself at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum in Alexandria, Virginia.