April 17, 1964

by **MrMustang1965** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:55 am

In 1964, the Ford Mustang makes its debut during the opening day of the New York World's Fair. Price tag for the base model is $2,372 (half the price of a Corvette).

As we all know, the Mustang got its name after Lee Iacocca saw SMU play Michigan in 1963 and visited with the team in the locker room after they were defeated by the Wolverines, 27-16. He told them that despite their loss he was so impressed with their speed & strength that the company's new sports car would bear the name MUSTANG in honor of them.

Or so we've been told.

by **jtstang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:26 am

Urban myth Spock

by **mathman** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:01 am

1964 was my freshman year at SMU. The 65 Mustang Fastback came out early and I got one as soon as they came out. Great car. Lasted me until I got out of the military in 1970. Wished I had it now. Probably worth a lot of money.

by **CalallenStang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:21 am

jtstang wrote:Urban myth Spock

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-fo ... ts-60.html

"Today," Iacocca said, "after watching the SMU Mustangs play with such flair, we reached a decision. We will call our new car the Mustang. Because it will be light, like your team. It will be quick, like your team. And it will be sporty, like your team."

by **OC Mustang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:37 am

CalallenStang wrote:
jtstang wrote:Urban myth Spock

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-fo ... ts-60.html

"Today," Iacocca said, "after watching the SMU Mustangs play with such flair, we reached a decision. We will call our new car the Mustang. Because it will be light, like your team. It will be quick, like your team. And it will be sporty, like your team."

Wonder if jtstang will want an Appellate ruling on the issue. :wink:

by **MidlandMustang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:04 am

The way Calallenstang describes it is correct. While attending SMU, I actually read the story of the naming of the Ford Mustang from literature put out by SMU. I would think SMU would not put something in print such as this if it were not true. I may be wrong, but I don't think so. And remember, you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish.

by **jtstang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:10 am

Legend has it...

That's your best evidence?

Try the googles and see if anybody not affilliated with SMU is still perpetuating that "legend." I would suggest a good place to start is one of the thousand or so Ford Mustang history sites available for perusal on the internets....

by **d_pony** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:17 am

jtstang - i understand what you are saying - i remember reading that the history of Ford Motor company is unaware of the "Legend" - but for those of us who were there at the time - he flat said it - he may of been B.S.ing and had already picked the name "mustang" but he said it in the locker room

by **jtstang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:45 am

d_pony wrote:jtstang - i understand what you are saying - i remember reading that the history of Ford Motor company is unaware of the "Legend" - but for those of us who were there at the time - he flat said it - he may of been B.S.ing and had already picked the name "mustang" but he said it in the locker room

What were you doing in the locker room? And better yet, what was Lee Ioccoca doing there?

by **Arkpony** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:57 am

Obviously you doubters (who else?) have never heard Hayden Fry's recording where he recounts in detail how it all happened in the SMU locker room..that Ford DID name it's car after SMU and Fry got the first one off the line for the sum of $1.00. Unless of course, Fry would lie about all that (which some of the doubters on here will obviously believe).

by **smupony94** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:03 am

jtstang wrote:
d_pony wrote:jtstang - i understand what you are saying - i remember reading that the history of Ford Motor company is unaware of the "Legend" - but for those of us who were there at the time - he flat said it - he may of been B.S.ing and had already picked the name "mustang" but he said it in the locker room

What were you doing in the locker room? And better yet, what was Lee Ioccoca doing there?

NTTIAWWT

by **MrMustang1965** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:05 am

jtstang wrote:Urban myth Spock

Did you not see "Or so we've been told

" at the end of my post?

by **smupony94** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:06 am

MrMustang1965 wrote:
jtstang wrote:Urban myth Spock
Did you not see "Or so we've been told " at the end of my post?

We rarely read your full posts

by **jtstang** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:25 pm

Arkpony wrote:Obviously you doubters (who else?) have never heard Hayden Fry's recording where he recounts in detail how it all happened in the SMU locker room..that Ford DID name it's car after SMU and Fry got the first one off the line for the sum of $1.00. Unless of course, Fry would lie about all that (which some of the doubters on here will obviously believe).

Admissible evidence only please judge.

by **ponyte** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:48 pm

jtstang wrote:
Arkpony wrote:Obviously you doubters (who else?) have never heard Hayden Fry's recording where he recounts in detail how it all happened in the SMU locker room..that Ford DID name it's car after SMU and Fry got the first one off the line for the sum of $1.00. Unless of course, Fry would lie about all that (which some of the doubters on here will obviously believe).

Admissible evidence only please judge.

Ugh! This isn't a court of law, this is Fantasy Cyberisland.

Allow us our delusions, please.

April 17, 1964

April 17, 1964

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