What years are first-generation Mustangs?

People argue about Mustang years more than almost any other classic. Here is the clean version that matches how the market talks about them.

The first-generation span

• 1964 1/2 (1965): Launched April 17, 1964. Ford titled them as 1965s, but the early cars have their own quirks, including a generator instead of an alternator.
• 1965-1966: The classic early Mustang, with the 289 V8 as the engine to have.
• 1967-1968: First restyle, bigger engine bay, home of the 390 and the 428 Cobra Jet.
• 1969-1970: Longer body, quad headlights in 1969, and the Mach 1, Boss 302, and Boss 429.
• 1971-1973: The biggest first-gen cars, widened to fit the 429.

Where 1973 ends it

1973 is the last first-generation year. The 1974 Mustang II is a smaller, separate car on a different platform. If you want the original pony car, you are shopping 1964 1/2 through 1973.