In the early ‘60 Detroit movers and shakers were mostly from the old
school of car design and marketing. The sports car market was growing, but from
a big-business view point, there was no money in sports cars because the volumes
are so low.
Even though Ford dabbled in the sports car arena with the
‘55, ‘56, and ‘57 2-seater Thunderbird, they were selling more T-Birds as
4-seater sport-luxury cars and making more money.(that IS what it’s all about).
And although Chevy was getting mixed praise for the Corvette, the Ford
executives needed convincing.
The Mustang I Prototype was a small,
mid-engine, 4-cylinder 2-seater with an aluminum body. It wasn’t much more than
a kit car really, weighing in at only 1,200 pounds! Dan Gurney debuted the car
at the Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Gurney, in a non-competitive demonstration
drive, drove the 1,200 lb two-seater at speeds in excess of 100
mph.
Gurney really liked the car and the Ford brass was impressed with
the business plan to build a “sporty” car. Obviously the real Mustang was FAR
removed from the Mustang I. But it served its purpose in convincing a bunch of
stodgy old corporate executives to let their hair down and have some
FUN!
In hindsight, the Mustang I Prototype seems closer to the Pontiac
Fiero from the ‘80s.
