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The Ford Mustang Auto Was Not The First American Pony Muscle Car

Some auto and sports car enthusiasts will insist and swear on their life that the sports car that got it all going in America was the Mustang. After all the Ford Mustang was fast cheap and popular and got the whole "Muscle Car" era going. On top of that they may insist that if there were no mustang there would have never been any Camaro or the other whole host of "Pony Cars" It may well be true that buyer demand in the muscle car market segment had been and was created largely by the Mustang car but actually this had all started long before the Mustang ponycars arrived on the American automotive landscape.

Interest in sporty ,close-coupled compacts that could seat two comfortably as well as four in a pinch goes all the way back to 1956. That was the first year when Studebaker fielded its first "Hawks" - nimble, fast road machines that looked different and performed considerably better than the average family sedan. Then later in 1958, Ford punched out its two-seat Thunderbird out to a four-seat configuration which also introduced a radically new body design that met with overwhelming acceptance. To the response, the dominant American automotive manufacturer replied with the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1962 as well as the stunning four places Buick Riviera the following year.

Similar concepts followed in the wings such as Oldsmobile's Tornado in 1966. The race was now fully on and underway.

Until Mustang however, four seat "personal" cars had been mainly upper-price luxury models which were not affordable by the masses of car buyers. This was especially true for young men just starting out with their work careers or working part time after school. However it was not only Ford that was eyeing and evaluating of what became the Mustang's appreciative and enduring target market. Stylists, engineers and the marketing crew were thinking about some car product in the lower-price segment and class a good six years before the Mustang made its entry and debut in 1964. In the end the fly in the ointment of this project to bring a similar automotive product to market was a lack of real corporate interest. Talk about opportunity lost and not seeing the trees from the forest - or in case the highways and interstates from the roads.

Interestingly enough G.M. had missed the boat when it failed to notice the excitement by the general public of its accidental development of an inexpensive "Sports Car" to the American automotive market. It can be said that the first low priced "personal" car was the Chevrolet Corvair. Chevrolet had subtly introduced bucket seats to its Corvair sports coupe in the 1960 model year. Compared to its other lineups in its stable the Corvair sports coupe sold like hotcakes. The expression regarding the sales of Mustangs was they sold like donuts, Corvair sports coupes sold like hotcakes. The offering was a hot product - a real eye popper. These cars were offered in color-keyed interiors, the trademark comfortable vinyl bucket seats and in the 1961 model year the option of a fast four speed gearbox.

The marketing message may have eluded General Motors and their top executives but it sure was not lost on their competitors. Ford and Chrysler, both taking the cue rushed to equip their similar products in a similar way. For the Ford Motor Company it was time to dress up their "compact "car the Ford Falcon. In the case of Chrysler the Valiant line got the treatment.

The Mustang was not the first of the "Pony "muscle cars. Indeed Ford was even the originator of the concept. The concept and market did not originate overnight. While it took time for fruition it was Ford's fortune of both bringing the product to market. The lessons may have been lost to others but Ford was both focused enough and nimble enough to accomplish the task. In terms of absolute cars sales the Ford Falcon based Mustang cars sold 100,000 units in their first month and a full million cars in their first year. What an auto sales record and accomplishment.

About the Author

Terry Z. Voster
Fortuna California Muscle Cars

Winnipeg Manitoba North End Autobody Dealer

Winnipeg Manitoba Auto Finance Financing

Buick Riviera $19.99 Buick Riviera - Poster

1971 Buick Riviera GS Diecast Car Model 1/18 Black Die Cast Car by Yat Ming $33.99 Brand new 118 scalediecast car model of 1971 Buick Riviera GS die cast car...

1971 Buick Riviera GS Diecast Car Model 1/18 Red Die Cast Car by Yat Ming $33.99 Brand new 118 scalediecast car model of 1971 Buick Riviera GS die cast car...

Man Admiring Upholstery of Buick Super Riviera at General Motors Motorama Car Show $79.99 Ralph Morse Man Admiring Upholstery of Buick Super Riviera at General Motors Motorama Car Show - Premium Photographic Print

Hawk Brake Pads - Performance Ceramic (Front) [92-93 Buick Riviera] $99.18 "Hawk Performance has introduced a premium, high performance, ultra-low dust, low noise compound called Performance Ceramic. Performance Ceramic is engineered to reduce brake NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), creating a quieter performing brake pad. Furthermore, the ceramic brake pad formula has a linear friction profile that allows your ABS brake system to work more effectively. With Performance Ceramic you can expect reduced brake pad wear, lower dust output levels and a rotor-friendly brake pad. Hawk Performance burnishes its Performance Ceramic brake pads as a final step in the factory, but all brake pads have to be bedded-in with the rotors (new or used) that they will be used against. Properly bedding-in new brake pads results in a transfer film being generated at the pad and rotor interface to maximize brake performance."

Hawk Brake Pads - Performance Ceramic (Rear) [92-93 Buick Riviera] $78.48 "Hawk Performance has introduced a premium, high performance, ultra-low dust, low noise compound called Performance Ceramic. Performance Ceramic is engineered to reduce brake NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), creating a quieter performing brake pad. Furthermore, the ceramic brake pad formula has a linear friction profile that allows your ABS brake system to work more effectively. With Performance Ceramic you can expect reduced brake pad wear, lower dust output levels and a rotor-friendly brake pad. Hawk Performance burnishes its Performance Ceramic brake pads as a final step in the factory, but all brake pads have to be bedded-in with the rotors (new or used) that they will be used against. Properly bedding-in new brake pads results in a transfer film being generated at the pad and rotor interface to maximize brake performance."

1971 Buick Riviera GS Diecast Car Model 1/43 Black Die Cast Car by Yat Ming $7.99 1971 Buick Riviera GS Diecast Car Model 1/43 Black Die Cast Car. Made of diecast with some plastic parts....

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1995-1996 Buick Riviera Catalytic Converter Eastern Buick Catalytic Converter 93166 95 96 $93.47 EASTERN CATALYTIC CONVERTEREastern catalytic converters are constructed using Eastern's proprietary NANO technology chemistry that yields highly efficient loadings for lower cost and better converter efficiency. It features high flow design that maximizes engine output and catalytic efficiency.Specifications3-way catalyst styleNotes 49-state legal; Not for sale or use in California; Cannot be shipped to California addresses Non-directional and can be installed either wayModification of the exhaust is required. Auto Parts Warehouse has extensive Eastern Catalytic Converter catalogs.We are now offering FREE shipping on all Eastern Catalytic Converter orders over $50.00. Our secure eastern catalytic converter catalog is available every hour of everyday. Shop with confidence for all your eastern catalytic converter needs. Eastern Catalytic Converter are In Stock and available today. Save up to 60% off dealer price on your next Eastern Catalytic Converter purchase. Our online catalog contains a wide selection of the OEM and aftermarket parts you need at unbeatable prices

1971-1978 Buick Riviera Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly Gabriel Buick Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly 81446 $16.4 b gabriel guardian shock absorber twin-tube red sold individually /b br br restore the handling and stability of your vehicle with this high quality oe replacement gabriel guardian shock absorbers and strut assemblies. these dampers are created using high technology aftermarket engineering that delivers original equipment performance. that is performance without the price. br br b specifications: /b ul li 14.61 in. extended length /li li 9.25 in. collapsed length /li li 5.36 in. damper travel /li li stem upper mount style /li li loop with bar/cross pin lower mount style /li /ul br b features: /b ul li nitrogen gas-charged for consistent control and superior response /li li offers high quality comfort and performance at an economical price /li li engineered to meet or exceed oe specifications /li /ul br br . auto parts warehouse has extensive gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly catalogs.we are now offering free shipping on all gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly orders over $50.00. our secure gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly catalog is available every hour of everyday. shop with confidence for all your gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly needs. gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly are in stock and available today. save upto 60% off dealer price on your next gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly purchase. our online catalog contains a wide selection of the oem and aftermarket parts you need at unbeatable prices

1995-1999 Buick Riviera Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly Monroe Buick Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly MA822 $72.23 monroe max-air shock absorbers white set of 2 24.38 in. extended length 14.5 in. compressed length with stem upper mount and cross-pin lower mount includes air fittings does not include air line and air valve kit these nitrogen gas-charged twin-tube shocks can maintain ride height when up to 1 200 lbs. of additional weight is loaded making these ideal for vehicles that haul heavy loads or tow trailers features all weather fluid containing special modifiers for reduced friction and smooth rod reaction full displaced valving for better valving range on both compression and extension for a smooth and comfortable ride sintered iron piston that is stronger than traditional metals to enhance durability lubricated air sleeve to reduce friction and provide smoother operation during suspension movement special air fitting to resist air leakage 0.5 in. hardened and precision ground piston rod for consistent performance and long service life and large volume air chamber that can inflate up to 150 psi with loaded vehicle and deflates for normal driving br br . auto parts warehouse has extensive monroe shock absorber and strut assembly catalogs.we are now offering free shipping on all monroe shock absorber and strut assembly orders over $50.00. our secure monroe shock absorber and strut assembly catalog is available every hour of everyday. shop with confidence for all your monroe shock absorber and strut assembly needs. monroe shock absorber and strut assembly are in stock and available today. save upto 60% off dealer price on your next monroe shock absorber and strut assembly purchase. our online catalog contains a wide selection of the oem and aftermarket parts you need at unbeatable prices

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Buick Reatta $90.81 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Buick Reatta was the first car Buick advertised as a twoseater since the 1940 Buick model 46. It was a handmade luxurious sports coupe produced at the Lansing Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan and sold by the Buick division of American automaker General Motors from early 1988 to 1991. Like the Cadillac Allant, it was based on a shortened version of the GM E platform used by the Cadillac Eldorado, Oldsmobile Toronado and particularly the Buick Riviera, with which it shared many mechanical parts, advanced electronics, and interior furnishings. While a sport compact car, it was only offered with an automatic transmission. It was also Buicks only sports car at the time. The Reatta sported its own unique body style and was crafted with an attention to hand finishing uncommon for a massproduced automobile. Initially offered for 1988 as a hardtop coupe, a convertible version was added for 1990. The Reatta used GMs ubiquitous 3800 V6 with 165170 hp (123127 kW) and 210220 ft lbf (285 298 N m) of torque with the highest output in the last year of production. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 132 Publication Date: 2010/05/06 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.30 inches

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1995-1999 Buick Riviera Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly Gabriel Buick Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly 49228 95 96 97 98 99 $62.28 GABRIEL HI JACKERS SHOCK ABSORBERS, TWIN-TUBE, BLACK, SET OF 2Replace your damper with America's first name in air adjustable shocks - Gabriel Hi Jackers Shock Absorbers. These are the first air adjustable shocks introduced and offered in the market. Specially designed for pulling boats, trailers, and other heavy loads, these easy-to-inflate dampers provide up to 1,100 lbs. of extra load capacity.Specifications:24.36 in. extended length14.5 in. collapsed length9.86 in. damper travelStem upper mount styleLoop with bar/cross pin lower mount styleFeatures:Offers up to 1,100 lbs per pair of extra lifting capacityPumps up just like a tireImproves handling and prevents bottoming outFor complete installation, these shock absorbers require Gabriel Hi Jacker Hose Kit part number 141099.. Auto Parts Warehouse has extensive Gabriel Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly catalogs.We are now offering FREE shipping on all Gabriel Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly orders over $50.00. Our secure gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly catalog is available every hour of everyday. Shop with confidence for all your gabriel shock absorber and strut assembly needs. Gabriel Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly are In Stock and available today. Save up to 60% off dealer price on your next Gabriel Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly purchase. Our online catalog contains a wide selection of the OEM and aftermarket parts you need at unbeatable prices

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