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1964 1/2 Mustang
Ponycar Revolution
In 1961 Lee Iacocca had a vision to create a sports car which would seat 4 people, weigh less than 2500 lbs and be no longer than 180 inches. This vision would become reality and would become one of the hottest selling cars on the market. On March 9, 1964 the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line and was introduced to the world on April 17, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. The Mustang sold over 22,000 units and a revolution had begun.
The truth is that there is no 1964 1/2 Mustang, but that term was coined by Mustang enthusiast. This model was produced for 6 months before refinements were made, the ones produced within the next 6 months are considered to be 1965. But technically they are all 1965 Mustangs, I will still call it a 1964 1/2. Besides knowing the date it was manufactured, how can you tell if it is a 1964 1/2? It has to be factory-equipped with a generator charging system, a 170ci six (U-code), a 260 2V (F-code), or a 289 4V (D-code) low-compression, large horns mounted down on the frame behind the radiator, a brake light pressure switch on the master cylinder, a center “off” heater fan switch, and a generator charge light, just to name the basics. These are features exclusive to Mustangs built between early March and July 31, 1964. There was never a fastback made in those early production units, so if you find a ’65 fastback it is not a ’64 1/2.
The pony interior was added in the ’65 production group featuring special seat covers with running horses across the back, exclusive interior door panels with integral armrests and pistol-grip door handles, a five-gauge instrument panel, wood-grain steering wheel, and appliques on the instrument cluster, glove-box, and center console (if equipped).
The Camaro
First Generation Camaro
The first-generation Camaro debuted in September 1966 (designated as the 1967 Camaro) in response to the hugely successful Ford Mustang (the Mustang had been developed in response to the Corvair.)
The executives at Chevrolet realized that the Corvair was not going to compete with the sales of the Mustang partly due to its rear-engine design and Ralph Nader's book, Unsafe at Any Speed, which called the Corvair "The One-Car Accident".
Reports started running in April 1965 in the automotive press, before any official announcements were made, that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Ford Mustang, code-named Panther. June 21 1966, 200 automotive journalist received a telegram from General Motors stating “…Please save noon of June 28 for important SEPAW meeting. Hope you can be on hand to help scratch a cat. Details will follow…(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations – SEPAW Secretary.” The journalist received a second telegram the following day saying “Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28…(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations SEPAW Secretary.” On June 28 General Motors held a press conference and made history with the first ever real-time press conference containing 14 cities hooked up via telephone lines. The new Camaro line was then unveiled and when Chevrolet managers were asked what a Camaro was,the replied with ““a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” The word Camaro, according to Chevrolet, was Old French for “friend”.
1972 Camaro-second generation Camaro
The Camaro officially went on sale in dealerships on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year. The first generation Camaro includes the year models 1967, 1968 and 1969. The look of the 1969 Camaro was changed to a more angular look, the wheel wells were squared off, the dashboard was updated with square gauges and the tachometer was optional. This was the last of the first generation Camaro and Chevrolet offered a ton of engine choices, everything from straight line six cylinder engine to an incredible 427 cubic inch monster that was part of the special order ZL-1. Most buyers picked the small block V-8. The Camaro was a built as a family car with its 2 by 2 seating and is considered to be Chevrolet’s Pony car while the Chevelle SS is considered the muscle car.
| Model | 0-60 mph | Quarter Mile Time | Engine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 Camaro ZL1 | 5.2 sec | 12.8 sec @ 107.0 mph | 427ci/425hp | MCR 1987 |
| 1969 Camaro ZL1 | 5.3 sec | 10.4 sec @ 128.1 mph | 427ci/425hp | Super Stock Mag 2/69 |
| 1969 Camaro Yeko | 5.4 sec | 11.9 sec @ 114.5 mph | 427ci/430hp | Yeko |
| 1969 Camaro Z28 | 7.4 sec | 15.1 sec @ 94.8 mph | 302ci/290hp | Car Life |
| 1969 Camaro Z28 | 7.4 sec | 15.1 sec @ 95.0 mph | 302ci/290hp | Road & Track 12/91 |
| 1969 Camaro SS Pace Car | 8.0 sec | 16.0 sec @ 88.0 mph | 350ci/300hp | Motor Trend7/96 |
| 1969 Camaro SS | n/a | 14.8 sec @ 98.7 mph | 396ci/375hp | Car & Driver 5/70 |
| 1969 Camaro Z/28 | n/a | 14.7 sec @ 95.9 mph | 302ci/290hp | PopularHot Rod |
| 1969 Camaro SS396 | n/a | 14.5 sec @ 100.6 mph | 396ci/375hp | PopularHot Rod |
| 1969 Camaro SS 396 | n/a | 14.2 sec @ 97.3 mph | 396ci/375hp | MCR 12/97 |
| 1969 Camaro SS | n/a | 14.2 sec @ 103.8 mph | 396ci/375hp | MCR Feb/Mar 1996 |
| 1969 Camaro ZL-1 | n/a | 13.2 sec @ 100.2 mph | 427ci/425hp | Hi PerfCars 8/69 |
| 1969 Camaro SS | n/a | 13.0 sec @ 108.6 mph | 396ci/375hp | Supercar Annual 1969 |
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