If you ask someone not from the United States to name some American cars they know, the first name they will probably say is “Mustang”. It’s an evocative name for an iconic, long-running and unmistakably American car. In Australia, it seems like more than half of the classic American cars I see on the roads are Mustangs despite the car never being officially sold here prior to 2015 (except for a tiny 377-car run in the 2000s). So, now that Ford officially offers it here again, how does it sell?
Like hotcakes. I can’t go a day without seeing a new Mustang (or four). While coupe sales tend to cool off after a while, the Mustang is still running strong after its 2015 re-introduction. In fact, twice as many Mustangs are sold than the Toyota 86 or the Hyundai Veloster, the second and third best-selling coupes here. Both of those cars sell for around the $AUD30k mark, while the Mustang starts at $45k, so that’s an impressive sales performance for the Yank. It’s especially impressive considering most Mustangs sold here have the 5.0 and are thus even more expensive.
When I went to the All-American car show at Lakeside Raceway last year, I saw that at least 40% of the cars on display were Mustangs. While I got up close and snapped away at lovely old Imperials and Skylarks and Grand Ams, I generally ignored the Mustangs but for an alluring ’71 Mach I. Imported first-generation Mustangs are so common in Australia that I don’t even give them a second glance. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ragging on the early Mustang. They’re just part of the scenery now.
However, I couldn’t help but photograph these new Mustangs juxtaposed against old ones. I know the current Mustang gets some grief for its styling but for the people who are buying them here, Ford designers have hit the sweet spot. There is an especially strong resemblance to the 1969-70 models. Maybe the retro shtick might be getting tiring to some enthusiasts, but to the thousands of Europeans and Australians who can now buy a Mustang from a Ford dealership (or, more accurately, from a long waiting list), this is what a Mustang looks like. To them, it’s like buying a classic ’69 without having to sacrifice any modern creature comforts or drivability.
Related Reading:
Curbside Classic: 1969 Mustang Mach 1 – Sliding Down The Slippery Fastback Slope
CC Travelogue: 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 Fastback – Detroit’s Finest
Future Curbside Classic: 2015 Ford Mustang GT – Four Hundred Thirty Five Horsepower?!
I don’t see any Fox body Mustangs. Are they rare in Australia?
If you were going to the expense of buying an antique car in a foreign country and shipping it ‘10,000 miles’, would you choose a Fox-body Mustang or one of the older “more classic ” cars? I hope and pray that the same logic results in a lack of Mustang II’s in the country, except for the occasional “all ribbons and bows” Mustang II Cobra.
Why what is wrong with a 79-93 Fox Body? Why is it any lesser then a 1964 1/2- 1973 Mustang? The 84-86 Mustang SVO was a very potent car in its day and is still considered quick.
Or the 87-93 Mustang GT convertible. Ford could not make enough of them and they are still very sought after.
Yes I would take a Fox body over the 64 1/2- 1973 era Mustang.
Sorry but a couple of mid 80s Roush Mustangs were imported for racing in Australia and derided for being gutless, “couldnt pull a sailor off your sister” reguarding its uphill performance around Mt Panorama, so your quick wasnt considered fast enough.
They didn’t do well, that’s for sure. Like the Holdens of the era, they were nobbled by the farce called Group A Touring cars, forced on us by the ivory tower mandarins of the FIA and their minions here in Australia.
Chris, also the Mustangs were in the first wave of Grp A cars and arguably not that developed. Particularly power output needed to be higher for a 5L car, compared to things like the BMW 635’s that could run much lighter. When the turbos started coming in it was game over, or just about; it says a lot for the work put in by Holden to keep the Commodore competitive.
I’ve never seen one here. And only the one Mustang II.
Extremely rare. First gen Mustangs were imported in the day by several dealers, but I expect the Mustang II killed off the enthusiasm, and it did not return for the Fox – or rather people kept importing an converting the first gen cars. The SN95 and onwards are occasionally seen.
Even since the Foxstangs became old enough not to need a RHD conversion, they are still rarely imported.
Kind of interesting to see one with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side. Lol
What a shame, as far as I’m concerned he was the show……….
http://www.motor1.com/news/139885/wheeler-dealers-mechanic-leaves-show/
Well, that does it for me. I liked that show because of Edd and the way they went about things. I noticed a big difference this last season, where they were skipping over a lot of work or not showing enough of it, and I didn’t like that direction the show was going either.
Discovery Communications has some good shows, but they have ruined stuff they’ve taken over before in order to appeal to what they think the audience wants. Connections3 comes to mind.
Show started to go downhill when Discovery Channel bought it from it’s original producers, then Velocity Channel took over and wanted to cut most of Edd’s detailed repair procedures, saying it was “too hard” to do. I think it was an important part of the show’s appeal. It went from a little show with cheap old cars and about a staff of 5 to an overproduced 45 member show, traveling to California, Mike starting to do repairs, less detailed coverage of Edd’s repair work. Too many cooks and all that.
Sort of like what happened to Jay Leno’s show when it went from a you tube channel to CNBC, I like the older more laid back approach much better.
Edd’s thoughts and comments about his leaving.
That 65 looks almost tiny next to the 2015, is it the picture angle?
The current generation of Mustang is doing fairly well in the U.K. according to CAR magazine. And like in Australia, the V8s are the best sellers. It hasn’t won any comparison tests run by any British car magazine, but they do appreciate it’s many good points. (EVO tested it in comparison with a BMW coupe and a Lexus coupe…saying the Mustang gave the other 2 a run for the money. In that test the Lexus won.)
I know, that was my first thought. The 65 looks so trim and tiny next to it’s hulking relatives.
It’s not the picture. They dwarf even the 71-73s
Yes, cars have gotten wider over the decades, just like people. 🙂
I have an attached garage and a pole barn. I park my ’09 in the attached garage in the winter due to the garage door opener and in the pole barn in the summer so I can park the ’66 in the garage. It amazes me how much more room I seem to have in the spaces where I move the ’66 to.
Same conclusion about 911 Porsches, the early 1960’s-1970’s 911 look positively dainty compared to the current 911’s
I like to know why export Mustangs get clear tail lights lens, I know the sequentials are illegal in different places, export Stangs get much bigger outside mirrors too. My 15 should be out of storage 1st week of April, can’t wait.
I think it’s done for uniformity. The exports need amber turn signals and until this generation that was being done by making the center light clear with the outboards red, which IMO looked like a candy cane. Making them all clear lets them all match, and with LEDs they can light up whatever color they want them to.
The sequential amber turn signal indicators aren’t illegal per se. Audi and several other manufacturers do use the sequential indicators in their models (outside the US market, that is, due to the idiotic US FMVSS regulations).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq5EVYxQjuo
This modification is one of many possibilities thanks to reprogramming the circuitry to produce the desired effects. That’s the beauty of LED lighting system…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SyWdmnsMfQ
That’s certainly some interesting hackery shown on the yellow mustang. It has not “converted” the red-lens US lamps to “EU” operation. It appears to have created an amber turn signal—good—but that thing starting at 1:02 where the red brake light and the amber turn signal are sharing the same lit area is a no-go for Euro (or US, for that matter) regs. It’s not allowed, and for good reason.
Also, the Mustang’s turn signal sequence speed is way too slow for EU requirements; UNECE R6A6 §5.6(d) requires that the sequence “shall finish no more than 200 ms after the beginning of the ON cycle”. This was (and is) key to providing at least equivalent safety performance to a conventional on/off turn signal—the argument was that because an incandescent bulb takes about 200 to 250 ms to reach full intensity, an LED turn signal that requires similar time to produce its maximum light output should be equally acceptable. That logic rightly persuaded European and international regulators, but American regulators (wrongly, IMO) rejected it. The Mustang rear light might also flunk R6A6 §5.6(d), which requires that the horizontal dimension of the sequential turn signal array, fully lit, be at least 1.7× the vertical dimension.
I wanted to let Daniel Stern explain in a very technical way why those sequential amber turn signal indicators would not be legal.
That logic rejected by the American regulators reminded me of common thread in the 1980s about the difficulties of importing and selling the European vehicles in Japan. The most preposterous demand was to remove the raised approval and regulation symbols from the lens. The Japanese regulators insisted that the raised symbols albeit tiny and almost invisible interfered with the light distributions that would ‘confuse’ the Japanese drivers.
I cannot attest it to be true with any empircal evidence or ancedote: I believe that was in ‘Car and Driver’ magazine from the mid-1980s.
H’mm. On the one hand, the Japanese have often proved themselves very adept at inventing imaginary reasons to block imports (American skis would endanger the Japanese public because Japanese snow is different, etc). On the other hand, “Car & Driver” (and the rest of their ilk) have often proved themselves equally adept at inventing imaginary things that didn’t actually happen and elsewise being completely full of ѕhіt.
So I donno.
They get the clear tails so that the whole assembly looks the same when no lights are lit, but the required red brake/tail and amber turn signal colours can be emitted when required.
Also note the amber rear sidemarker visible in the side of the bumper fascia. Sidemarker lights and reflectors, amber front and red rear, are required equipment in the US and Canada. Nowhere else requires them on vehicles less than 6 metres long, but if they’re present they must be amber front and rear except that a rear sidemarker grouped, combined, or incorporated (those three words mean different things) with another rear lighting function may be either amber or red. Whee!
I find it interesting how the Australians implement the amber turn signal indicators in their first generation Mustangs by using the white reverse lamps. That would take a lot of work, rewiring the system so that the amber turn signal indicators would continuously illuminate for reversing but blink for turning.
In Japan and UK, the taillamps have one amber stripe and two red stripes like this:
http://www.cjponyparts.com/taillight-lens-red-with-amber-turn-signal-pair-1967-1968/p/TLL64/
Those red/amber lenses you found aren’t factory parts, Oliver. They’re clever aftermarket items, as also used in the likes of these kits.
A common trick back in the day, quite a few Australian assembled American cars used it. Even Chrysler with some models of Valiant.
And converters are still doing it, my Skylark has amber bulbs in the white reversing light section of the tailights for rear indicators.
I have thought about converting it back to original, but I’m paranoid about some
Camry steering drone getting confused and rear ending me.
The current Mustang’s success oversees is quite remarkable, and a sign that Ford made the right decisions with it. Good for them.
+1. Hardly a trip to town goes by when I don’t see one – in rural Australia. There’s even one in my small town.
how Has the influx of easily ( and cheapish) available Mustangs affected the Older stangs ? have they increased or decreased in price ….? –
I don’t think it has had a lot of impact on first gen Mustangs. I don’t think there is a lot of cross-shopping between old and new. Perhaps when they start to appear on the secondhand market things might change.
Looking at what is on the market, there are still some asking prices that appear pretty optimistic! Eg a 10yo GT asking more than what a new one costs. Most are Shelbys or have Roush packages though, a bit harder to compare.
I was 13 1/2 years old when the first Mustang was introduced in April, 1964. Although I was always interested in cars that event was my automotive “awakening”. After years of driving many different types of vehicles I decided just a few weeks ago that it was time to re-ignite that passion for the Mustang that’s been on simmer all these years. I now have a 2017 Ecoboost Premium Convertible with every option including the Performance Package. So how does it make this 66-year-old feel? Like a young man I tell you…every single drive is no longer a task …it’s an adventure in driving -and that top goes down when it hits 50 degrees. Hard to believe that the excitement I had in 1964 is back 53 years later. I’m driving my dream and the legend!
Why wouldn’t the Mustang sell well in Australia? Australians and Americans are the charter members of the Brotherhood of big engines with lots of horsepower. While we Americans had Mustangs, Camaros, Firebirds, GTOs and other muscle cars with SS, GT or Hemi on them. The Australians had hot Holden’s (Like the Torana A9X, Manaro, hot Commodores) and GT Falcons (like the GT-HO with its 351 V8) to name a few.
A Velostar or Toyota 86 (called Subaru BRZ and Toyota/Scion FR-S) does not really set the world afire like the throaty exhaust of a Mustang
Traditionally two door cars don’t sell well in Australia. But I think even Ford has been taken aback by how strongly the Mustang is selling. Still not in the top 20 though.
Two-door cars don’t sell that well in the US either, anymore; I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mustang is the best selling 2 door here. Well, other than pickup trucks, and most of those aren’t two-doors anymore.
Mustang was about the 55th best-selling car last year with 6208 units – I think deliveries not sales. Well ahead of the Falcon at no. 70 (yikes!), but the Ranger came in at no. 4. The second-best selling coupe was the Mercedes C-class at no. 106, with 2544 units.
It is kind of neat to see a designed for North America car have international appeal. Spending most of my life hearing that North American cars are regarded as ridiculous by much of the world gets old at times.
Are Scandinavians buying Mustangs? They seem to “get” the American car.
We have Finnish expats who work out of our office for a year or two. They always buy something like a Mustang to take home with them. It gets into the country tax free and they can sell it at a profit. So they basically get paid to drive a big American car.
Scandinavians seem to like old American cars. Quite a few old cars have been shipped to a Scandinavian country after having been purchased at a Carlisle car show.
I remember reading when the new Mustang came out that Ford was planning from day one to sell it in international markets they never had before. So, the car was designed for North America, but also with global sales in mind. That was probably a factor in the decision to go with independent rear suspension. The live axle, beloved by many U.S. Mustang fans, would not be accepted elsewhere.
I for one welcome the change to independent rear suspension. After years of driving T-Birds (and a Grand Prix GTP) with IRS, it was a noticeable difference driving my 2007 Mustang. Since I only have the V6, the weight distribution is more favorable than it would be had I gotten the V8, not to mention the additional power making that live rear axle even more noticeable. All in all, the car handles the curves well, and it was very welcome after the GTP with its FWD and Supercharged Power. On smooth asphalt curves, the ‘stang is great. But when the road isn’t perfect, it has that rear wheel hop. Never had that issue with my Thunderbirds.
My Dad has a 2014, also a V6, but his has the better handling Pony Package. Ford did just about all they could with that live ear axle to make it a good handling car. From what I understand, a 2013 BOSS is awesome. But much like after WW2, when airplane manufacturers got as much performance out of piston engine aircraft as they could, it was time to move on to better technology. The Mustang should’ve gone to IRS years ago. Besides cost savings, and maybe drag racing, what advantage is there in the live rear axle?
Besides the drag racing factor, I think the biggest reason some Mustang owners like the live rear axle is just that it is a direct mechanical connection to the pony and muscle cars of yore. The Mustang already attracts those given to automotive nostalgia, so the stick axle was tolerated there more than it would be in other cars. Obviously they arent the only folks who don’t mind the functional disadvantages of it, given how popular pickup trucks and truck based SUV’s are.
Another advantage is that it helped keep the ‘Stang cheaper for many years, and probably even contributed to the viability of the 4th generation car for 2005. It’s survival wasn’t a given. Ford put off a new generation much longer than normal and by the last few years of the fox platform it was the only pony car left, selling in ok but not fantastic numbers. I believe saving a significant chunk on the rear end helped make that car happen
According to Wheels magazine the Mustang sold 6500 units in 2016 which made it the second best selling Ford in Australia only beaten by the Ranger.
Hardly surprising given Australia’s long love affair with the Mustang since its inception and its close relationship with the Falcon particularly with the local touring car scene which was immensely popular back in the late 60’s, early 70’s. No one could forget Ian Geoghegan’s white 66 power sliding its way around every single corner of every racetrack across the country or Allan Moffat’s legendary 69 Coka Cola Mustang which won 66% of every race it was entered in and countless other Mustangs which raced against formidable local opposition.
Which lead the Ford marketing team to extract every possible connection between the Mustang and Falcon in advertising. From including images of the Mustang in the background of brochures to the XW Falcon’s advertising tagline..”Theres more more Mustang in every Falcon” The overall image the Mustang created led to Ford Australia importing 200+ 67 coupes and converting them at the factory, these cars are now highly prized by enthusiasts today. Not that it was really necessary because the popularity of the early Falcons in this country meant there was plenty of donor cars to provide all the parts needed to convert a Mustang to RHD, which thousands of people did.
Now that many people who lived through the glory days of the Australian motor industry and lusted after cars they could never afford are much older and have disposable income the local success of the Mustang was never in doubt.
What should be considered is that there is no competition for ford- no camaros ,chargers or challengers …… i’d like to see the sales figures for the holden utes that i guess would attract similar customers- and no i would’nt include ford falcons and holden ss’ as competition – great mechanicals i’m sure but no style……
i left (sold for $3K) this bog standard v6 05 behind in maryland – it would be fairly unique here (and expensive $25k)…. (no regerts !?)
Mustang? What Mustang?. Oh, you mean the one in the way of the B-57 and F-105F?
Holden sold 4802 Commodore utes last year (Ford 2170 Falcon utes), and a good proportion of those would have been the SS. This number is a fraction (1/3-1/4) of what they did 10 years ago before the market shifted.
The Commodore SS sedan and hot Falcons, are absolutely competition to the Mustang, where buyers will be weighing up style vs practicality. Now that there aren’t any performance Fords available in particular I expect there will be a good percentage of Mustang buyers trading in one of those.
Wish I could have my first car back-the’70 Mach I 351C.
Mustangs were always cool here even cooler when we couldnt get them new now we can some of the lustre is gone but they sell well and have crashed the prices of the post 2000 models that cost a bomb to import used and are so numerous.
I see one or two per day. The All American Days are lousy with late model versions, and some sound horrible.
William, are you coming to the July All American Day?
Hmmm…. I wonder if when you do donuts in your Mustang Down Under, if the car goes Clockwise instead of Counterclockwise (like here in North America) due to the Coriolis Effect?
After all, the steering wheel is on the wrong side, so it totally makes sense.
LOL ;o)
They go every which way including loose…