Mustang History 1967

Mustang History: 1967

1966 1968

1967 represented the first redesign for Mustang. The front grille kept the running pony in the corral, but vertical and horizontal bars returned, and the grille opening was enlarged. The side scoops, though non-functional, were designed as two smaller scoops with inlets and were painted the body color. Despite the body style change, coupes, fastbacks, and convertibles were still offered, but the fastback in 1967 extended fully to the rear, giving the car a beefier look than the shorter fastbacks used in 1965 and 1966.

The 1967 Mustang appears larger (two and a half inches wider and a half inch taller) if not more aggressive. A majority of the restyling occurs below the beltline (except of course for the fastback, which has the roofline taper to the edge of the rear deck). Wider track, deeper grille with a rectangular mesh insert, more prominent side sculpting and a stepped decklid with concave taillights are only a few of the year's styling changes.

A 320-horsepower, 390 cid Holley carbureted V8 is the most powerful of the block options (not including Shelby Mustangs). The 390 cid V8 accommodates three available transmissions. Among them is the Select-Shift Cruise-o-Matic, for which the "A" in the GT/A badge refers. 1967 was the only year for the GTA, which was a Mustang GT with an automatic transmission. They were available in coupe, fastback, or convertible and with either the 289 or 390 engine.

This was the first year the convertible model featured a two-pane glass rear window that folded down with the roof. It was also the last year of the 289 Hi-Po, but the first year for the 320-hp 390cid 4V V-8 and a 428cid engine used in the Shelby G.T. 500.

Only 400 High Country Specials were made in 1967 available in Columbine Blue, Aspen Gold or Timberline Green.

Eight Mustang Stallions were produced in 1967. They came with a 289 HiPo, 390, or 427 engine, GT equipment, 4-speed manual trans or C6 Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic transmission, special side vinyl treatment, limited slip rear axle, console, power steering, power disc brakes, deluxe steering wheel, deluxe seat belts, F70x14 wide oval belted tires, fold-down rear seat, Stallion emblems, Cougar taillights, and special steel wheels.

Total U.S. Production: 472,121

The Shelby G.T. 350 packed a 289cid Hi-Po, and the G.T. 500 got the 428. The cars were all fastbacks, but Shelbys got more body treatment than Shelbys of 1965 and 1966. The grille wore its bright lights in the middle with a Shelby logo on the passenger side. Some states' laws required that the fog lamps be moved to the outer edges of the grille, which actually allowed the car to breathe better by opening up the radiator. A few 1967 Shelbys had red marker lights inside the upper side scoops. Many states' laws didn't allow this either, and only 200 models left the factory with them. The trunk had a "ducktail" spoiler, and taillights off the Mercury Cougar ran nearly the full width of the car. The G.T. 500 models featured a padded roll bar and optional racing-style shoulder harnesses. Ford rates the 428 cid V8 Shelby GT-500 Fastback conservatively at 355 horsepower. Enthusiasts hoist their Shelbys onto dynamometers and get readings closer to 400 bhp.

Only one Shelby Super Snake was made in 1967. It was intended to be the first of 50, but no other Super Snake was built due to the retail price was $7,500 and a 427 Cobra could be bought for roughly the same amount. It was driven by Carroll Shelby at Goodyear's test track in Texas for tire promotion film production. Carroll recorded lap speeds over 150 mph and top speed of 170 mph! It was factory equipped with a unique blue narrow-wide-narrow Lemans Stripes; powered by a 520-horsepower lightweight 427 medium-riser engine with aluminum heads, tuned headers, 780 CFM Holley 4V carb, aluminum intake, oil cooler, remote filter, 4 speed trans backed up by a 4.11 Detroit locker rear end. It appeared on Ebay twice in late 2002, but the reserve was not met. Bids reached $169,100.

The 2000 movie Gone in 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage featured a custom 1967 Shelby G.T. 500 referred to as Eleanor. Unique Performance began making Eleanor clone Shelby G.T. 500E Mustangs of out 1967 and 1968 fastbacks in 2003, but modern engine and suspension technology replaced the '67 parts. The first unit produced sold at the 2003 Barrett-Jackson Auction for $194,400.

Shelby de Mexico produced 169 1967 Shelbys, which were nearly identical to the U.S. versions. They were all powered by 289 V8s.

Chevrolet Camaro, Mercury Cougar, Pontiac Firebird, and Plymouth Barracuda were all in Mustang's class in 1967, cutting into Mustang's sales figures. Still, Mustang outsold its nearest competitor, Cougar, by a three-to-one margin.

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