Mustang Legacy: An Illustrated Look at Ford’s Flagship Through the Ages

Car insurance company Budget Direct takes a look at some of the most popular and long-lasting nameplates in automotive history.

When you get down to brass tacks, there are really only a few cars that try to claim the title of the world’s greatest sports car. You have the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Corvette, and the Porsche 911. But let’s face it, while the ‘Vette and Porsche have more power on hand (at least compared to most Mustangs), they’ve always been cars for the wealthy. The Mustang is truly the people’s sports car, and there are about 10 million folks out there who can vouch for that.

Yes, Ford’s sporty coupe is a car unlike any other. And from generation to generation, that’s always been consistent. That’s why we love this recent set of illustrations from Budget Direct showing the evolution of the original Pony Car.

Shockingly consistent

Budget Direct took a look at some of the most popular and long-lasting nameplates in automotive history. Then, they illustrated each generation. Some models underwent wild transformations (the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the Toyota Corolla). Others saw frustratingly minor changes (the Jaguar XJ, the Mini). But the Mustang illustration stands out. In context, even less-beloved models like the Mustang II and early stock Fox Body have their place here. Save for the big early ’70s cars (which aren’t pictured here), this history shows that even in its darkest moments, Ford has never strayed too far from the Mustang’s roots.

Of course, with a car like the Mustang, there’s a lot of latitude in that statement. Since the beginning, Mustangs could be ordered as humble little runabouts. And by the time the Mustang II came along, that’s just about all you could get. But it never got too bloated. It never strayed from its long-hood-short-deck proportions. And thankfully, it never sprouted an ugly extra set of doors. Plus, since the 1970s, it’s become faster and more powerful with each successive generation.

If you live and breathe Mustangs, then these graphics are nothing new. But if you’re a fan and want to see the Pony Car grow from a classic sporty coupe to the powerhouse it is today, you’re going to love these.

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James Derek Sapienza

James Derek Sapienza has worked as a writer and editor in the world of automotive journalism since 2015.

He has a BS in History at SUNY Brockport, with a focus on American popular culture. A fan of the classics with a special interest in German cars, he is a proud owner of a 1991 W124 Mercedes. He is a frequent contributor to Mustang Forums, MBWorld, 5Series, Rennlist, and more.

Sapienza can be reached at JDS.at.IBA@gmail.com