Mustang: The First 50 Years

Anyone who loves the Ford Mustang will enjoy this history of the original pony car from its long-shot origins in the early 1960s to the 2015 model that is selling all around the globe. Filmmaker Tom McComas's Mustang: The First 50 Years interviews a wide array of enthralled Mustang owners, as well as assorted commentators—authors, journalists, and Ford employees—who offer facts and figures, backed with vintage clips and stills (along with contemporary footage) to illustrate the story. Viewers will learn that after the dismal failure of Ford's Edsel, a team led by Lee Iacocca created the Mustang, a car that got off to a fast start and has never looked back. The film follows the car's evolution at critical stages—from the early days of research, development, and first release; through the horsepower wars of the late 1960s and early '70s (most notably, racing legend Carroll Shelby's GT makeover of an already fast car into a force to be reckoned with on both road and track); to modern performance enhancements and Ford's continuing refinements. Packed with hot-shot visuals and a turbo-charged narrative (at one point Henry Ford III says the Mustang is the car that “defined society”), this is a great ride that will surely appeal to car buffs. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (C. Block)