ETC: Introducing the 1965 Ford Mustang

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Etc., Ford

Put on your space suits and diving bell helmets, for it’s time to step into a time capsule. The 50th anniversary of a historic model, like, say, the Porsche 911 this year, is certain to bring flights of nostalgia. This historical trip with the 1965 Mustang, though – preliminary hype for next year’s anniversary, we know – is a swell museum exhibit for anyone who enjoys bygone days of the automobile.

Lee Iaccoca gave a speech to motoring journalists on April 1, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair to introduce a sporty car for younger drivers. His opening line: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to one of the proudest moments of our lives.” The company was so excited by what it had made that the Mustang was Ford’s first “International Press Introduction,” being introduced to some 2,000 journos around the world on the same day in the US and 11 European cities. Even through its difficult points, no one at the time could have known how well the Mustang would acquit that pride.

After the intro, the press drove Mustangs 750 miles from New York to Dearborn, MI, reading press kits that touted features like the “vertical, three-sectional taillights/turn signals,” “170” six-cylinder engine with 101 horsepower and the available Cruise-O-Matic transmission.

Ford has put Iaccoca’s “remarks” from the “Mustang National News Conference” and the original press kit online, so grab a fountain soda and enjoy.

Introducing the 1965 Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Aug 2013 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts, helps sell boxers [w/bonus boxer puppies]

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Pontiac

1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts

1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts – Click above to watch the video after the break

We love ourselves some vintage muscle cars, and none more so than the one that started it all: the Pontiac GTO. It’s 389-cubic-inch V8 engine burbling underhood, its paper-thin bias-ply tires at all four corners and its complete lack of any kind of safety equipment mean the old Goat is nothing if not a hoon’s dream car.

But what does it have to do with boxers? Beats us. Whether you’re talking about the kind you wear under your jeans (in this case from Camouflage) or the kind that licks you in the face, we’re completely baffled as to why the donut-performing muscle car is being used to advertise boxers.

Oh well. The Pontiac GTO (1965 vintage, in this case) is always welcome on these pages, and boxer puppies are adorable. You’ll find both of them in the video after the break. Enjoy! Thanks for the tip, Diland!

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1965 Pontiac GTO does donuts, helps sell boxers [w/bonus boxer puppies] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1965 Ford GT40 Roadster crossing the block at Villa d’Este

Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Europe, Ford, Racing

1965 Ford GT Roadster

1965 Ford GT Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery

A one-of-five 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster will be auctioned off at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy on May 21. The car was built in 1965 as a prototype by Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations center in England, and is one of four surviving examples.

The Linden Green example crossing the block was raced by John Whitmore and Bob Bondurant in the 1965 Targa Florio, running as high as third before it was forced to quit after being damaged. The car, chassis GT/111 was lost after the Targa Florio, waiting to resurface until 2006.

The car was authenticated and restored in 2007, and has made vintage race appearances around the world, starting with the 2007 Goodwood Revival. Given the car’s rarity, blue-chip name and Whitmore/Bondurant prestige, the GT Roadster will no doubt fetch some serious bank when it rolls across the block.

Gallery: 1965 Ford GT Roadster

1965 Ford GT Roadster1965 Ford GT Roadster1965 Ford GT Roadster1965 Ford GT Roadster1965 Ford GT Roadster

[Source: Top Gear | Images: Top Gear]

1965 Ford GT40 Roadster crossing the block at Villa d’Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coming to America: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

Filed under: Classics, Work, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty, Luxury

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile – Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time when the Pope set about cruising the world in class and style. While we’ll have no part in arguing the functionality of the current Popemobile, the machine simply can’t hold a candle to the classy lady you see above.

This particular 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman landaulet was built specifically for Pope Paul VI and served three additional pontiffs before getting mothballed in 1985. Why do you care, you ask? Because this particular piece of motoring history is headed Stateside for the very first time as part of this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance celebrations next month.

Mercedes-Benz has dug the unique 600 out of storage just for the event. Aside from the standard air-ride suspension, power brakes and heating and air conditioning, this particular model came equipped with bullet-proof glass and a unique rear seat that could be raised and lowered so that the Pope could be more easily seen by crowds.

The 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance kicks off on March 11 and runs through the 13th, featuring classic vehicles from all over the globe. Hit the jump to check out the press release.

Gallery: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile

Live photos copyright (C) 2011 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Coming to America: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Popemobile originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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