Wednesday 31st March 2010

Mustang Creator Dies At 86

Donald Frey, the man who brought the iconic Mustang to life in 1964, passes away

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Donald Frey, the man responsible for the design of the original Ford Mustang, has passed away after a stroke at the age of 86.

The Mustang was a massive hit as soon as it hit showrooms after a debut at the 1964 World's Fair - Ford originally expected to sell 80,000 units a year, but eventually shifted more than a million Mustangs in the car's first two years on sale. The Mustang remains an integral part of the Ford US line-up more than 45 years later.

Frey has been quoted as saying that the inspiration for the Mustang was the Chevrolet Corvair Monza. "I guess in desperation they put bucket seats in the thing, called it the Monza, and it started to sell," Frey in Mike Mueller's book, Mustang: An American Classic. Teasing from his children also provided the spark, apparently, with his kids telling him his cars 'stank'.

New Mustang still owes plenty to 1964 original

You can understand why his kids felt that way - Ford in the early 1960s was still reeling from the PR, design and sales nightmare that was the Ford Edsel.

Frey, then Ford' chief engineer, worked with Ford's General manager, Lee Iacocca, to get the Mustang from green light to production in just 18 months.

[Ray Singh]

RIP.

some fine looking machines......

[chevy-stu]

I'm sure he'd be proud..

[soad]

RIP, chap. He's given us something special.

[Vipers]

soad said:

RIP, chap. He's given us something special.

And those people are few and far to find.

[Belfast Boy]

RIP Dude! your cars never "Stank" condolancies to the family!

[anonymous-user]

Iconic? Yes

Worth £38,000 new in the UK? Big question!

http://www.billshepherdmustang.com/index.php?optio...

[dinkel]

Ray Singh said:

RIP.

some fine looking machines......

RIP! See you when I get up there.

Surely Bullitt did good for the Stang.

'64 Notchback is a classic.

[mozza42]

5 USA said:

Iconic? Yes

Worth £38,000 new in the UK? Big question!

http://www.billshepherdmustang.com/index.php?optio...

The car's for sale here: http://dealerrevs.com/car/10548563

Is it good business importing at c.£21k (or lower)? I appreciate there's all sorts of things that need to be factored in; import duty, VAT, SVA etc... But £17k's worth?

[Marquis_Rex]

The much fabled Lee Iacocca- for all lovers of the Free market and rampant consumerism I have some special treats for you

Lee Iacocca the man behind the Ford Mustang 2



And the Chrysler K cars

[Twin Turbo]

Marquis_Rex said:

The much fabled Lee Iacocca- for all lovers of the Free market and rampant consumerism I have some special treats for you

Lee Iacocca the man behind the Ford Mustang 2



And the Chrysler K cars

Ah, they may not have aged well, but both cars were big sellers in their day.

RIP, Mr Frey, I thank you for the legacy you've given us.

[Twin Turbo]

5 USA said:

Iconic? Yes

Worth £38,000 new in the UK? Big question!

http://www.billshepherdmustang.com/index.php?optio...

Well, that's a Premium spec 'vert, so GTs don't come any more expensive. Sure, £38k is expensive, but I'd still have it.

Actually, I'd have a 2011 5.0 GT Coupe

[wishforaTVR]

What a legend.

Rest In Peace.

[dinkel]

[turbo-ww]

Thank you Sir for giving us the 'stang

http://www.billshepherdmustang.com/index.php?optio...

Nice Version - 1966 - Love the description - 'Used'