Why did Ford call it a Mustang?
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic and recognizable cars in automotive history. But have you ever wondered why Ford chose to call it the Mustang? The answer lies in the car's design and the company's marketing strategy.
The Inspiration Behind the Mustang Name
According to Ford's archives, the Mustang name was chosen to evoke the spirit of the wild mustang horse, a symbol of freedom and power in the American West. The Mustang's sleek, sporty design was meant to capture this sense of unbridled energy and performance.
In the early 1960s, when Ford was developing the Mustang, the company was looking for a name that would appeal to a younger, more adventurous demographic. The Mustang name, with its associations of speed, agility, and ruggedness, fit the bill perfectly.
The Mustang's Successful Launch
Ford's gamble on the Mustang name paid off handsomely. When the car was unveiled at the 1964 New York World's Fair, it was an immediate sensation, with over 22,000 orders placed on the first day. The Mustang's combination of style, performance, and affordability struck a chord with American consumers, and it went on to become one of the best-selling and most iconic cars of all time.
The Mustang's success was also due in part to Ford's innovative marketing campaign, which emphasized the car's youthful, adventurous image. The company's "Mustang Mania" advertising blitz, which featured the car in a variety of dynamic, action-packed settings, helped cement the Mustang's status as a symbol of American freedom and individualism.
In the end, the Mustang name proved to be a stroke of marketing genius, perfectly capturing the spirit and essence of the car that would go on to become one of the most beloved and iconic vehicles in automotive history.
Why was the Mustang named Mustang?
Some claim the name was inspired by the mighty P-51 fighter plane from World War II. Others argue it was Ford's market research expert Robert J. Eggert, a lover of horses, who came up with the idea. Either way, “Mustang” was chosen to represent the spirit of the American West and the idea of freedom.
Why are mustangs called mustangs?
"Mustang" comes from the Spanish word mesteño or mostrenco, which means "wild" or "stray". Originally, it referred to the horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish, which later escaped or were set free and became wild herds roaming the American West. The name was adopted to describe these ownerless, free-roaming horses, a term later applied to other wild breeds.
- Origin of the term: The name derives from the Spanish words mesteño or mostrenco.
- Meaning: These Spanish words translate to "wild," "stray," or "ownerless".
- Initial use: The term was first used to describe horses of Spanish bloodstock that escaped from ranches and formed wild herds in the American West.
- Broader application: Over time, it became a general term for any wild horse in North America, regardless of its original breed.
How did the Ford Mustang get its name?
The Ford Mustang was named after the P-51 fighter plane, and then the name was re-pitched as a tribute to the wild horse of the American West, representing freedom and spirit. The dual inspiration allowed Ford to capitalize on the plane's iconic status while also associating the car with the image of untamed, free-roaming horses.
- The P-51 Mustang plane: The name was originally suggested by Ford designer John Najjar, who was fascinated by the P-51 Mustang fighter plane from World War II. He felt its name and association with power and speed were a perfect fit.
- The wild horse: Ford executives were initially hesitant to market the car as a fighter plane, so the name was re-pitched to reference the wild Mustang horse. This symbolized the spirit of the American West, freedom, and a new car for the open road.
- Marketing strategy: The dual meaning was intentionally capitalized on by the advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson, to appeal to a broad audience and enhance the car's American identity.
- The emblem: The car's iconic running horse emblem was a direct tie-in to the wild horse imagery, though some have noted similarities to the SMU Mustangs football team's logo, a story that has been largely dismissed by historians.
Where did Ford come up with the name Mustang?
Ford designer John Najjar wanted to name the car after the P-51 Mustang, a fighter plane used in World War II. When other team members rejected the idea, he dropped the P-51 from the name and suggested that it was in tribute to the breed of horse.
