The Ford Mustang is one of the best known and easily recognized vehicles on the road today. Who doesn't recognize the sporty chrome pony emblazoned on the shiny paint of a Ford Mustang?

But I bet many of you don't know the history of the Mustang. Well jump in your time capsule and join me for a ride back to the year 1964. To be more specific, March 9, 1964.

That was the day that the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly lineit was a white convertible with a red interior. It created a sensation all across the nation. As a matter of fact, within 18 months, Ford sold over 1 million Mustangs!

Just months after its introduction, Ford began introducing changes for the '65 Mustang, including a bigger engine, reverse lights, and an AC alternator.

In the first two years of its existence, the Mustang broke sales records, wowed the public, and left competitors in the dust.

The next job for the Mustang was to take down the Chevrolet Corvette in the world of racing. That job was tackled by Carroll Shelby, the famous race car driver and designer. The result was the famous GT / Cobra series of cars.

In 1967, Ford introduced a newly redesigned Mustang, with a 335 HP engine, and other improvements, allowing it to continue it's massive popularity.

Ford continued to make improvements and adjustments to the Mustang, and it remained highly popular, even when rising gas prices, rising insurance costs, emissions standards, etc caused muscle cars some hard times in the early 70's. Several of the Mustangs competitors, such as the Barracuda, went out of production, but the Ford Mustang continued to sell.

The Ford Mustang almost died in the late 80's, though, due to slumping sales. But Mustang fans started writing Ford letters, and Ford decided to give the Mustang a redesign and another try. Sales went back up, and the Mustang continues to be a popular car to this day.