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1967 - The Beginning of the Second Generation of Mustangs…

In the mid-sixties, it was common for manufacturers to redesign their cars every two to three years (instead of the six to eight years that occurs today) to maintain public interest and to keep up with engineering advances. The 67 Mustang was no exception. With other manufacturer’s finally releasing serious competition for the Mustang, and with the Mustang having been mostly unchanged from 1964 thru 1966, Ford felt it was time for an overhaul. Anticipating the release of the 1967 Camaro and to compete with the other “Pony Cars” (Pontiac Firebird and Plymouth Barracuda), the 1967 Mustang was completely redesigned. It was both longer and wider than the 1966 model, but still maintained the same 108 inch wheel base. With the Mustang’s wider track, the 1967 was much more stable than the 1966 model. Changes included bulkier sheet metal, a more aggressive front grille, a stepped decklid with a concave tail panel, and a full Fastback roofline for the Fastback model. With the introduction of the 320 horsepower 390 engine, Ford also found it necessary to enlarge the engine compartment.

Ford not only changed the exterior and performance aspects of the Mustang, but they also made significant changes to the interior. The most notable change was the new dashboard, which featured integrated air conditioning vents. The brushed aluminum Deluxe Interior package, tilt-away steering wheel (which automatically titled out of the way when the driver’s door was opened), and deluxe padded steering wheel were also added for the 1967 model.

It’s interesting to note that Lee Iacooca, the leader of the Fairlane Committee (which resulted in the birth of the Mustang), voiced the opinion that he did not like the changes made to the 1967 model or the direction the Mustang was heading in. "Within a few years after its introduction," he later wrote in his autobiography, "the Mustang was no longer a sleek horse, it was more like a fat pig."  Well, oink, oink, Lee.  Oink, oink.