FORD MUSTANGS RIDE THE RANGE IN POPULARITY

In 1964, the Ford Motor Co. rolled a new car off its production lines. It was nothing new for the nation's major auto manufacturer, except Ford had a dream pinned on this car. The company hoped it would take the auto industry by storm.

Named after the free-spirited wild horse that roamed the Western Plains, Ford's sporty Mustang rolled out of Ford's automotive stables on April 17, 1964.

The rest is pretty much history. The vision Ford vice president and general manager Lee Iacocca had in 1961 of a "pony car" was nothing short of 20-20 when it came to predicting what would appeal to drivers.

Iacocca's vision was simple: A car that could seat four people, have bucket seats, floor-mount shift, weigh less than 2,500 pounds and sell for less than $2,500. The Ford Thunderbird, two-passenger sports car of the mid-1950s had evolved into a larger-size, luxury car, and Ford was looking for a sporty little car.

Mustang was the answer.

When the Mustang made its debut in the "mid-car season" of spring rather than fall, other manufacturers scrambled to produce "catch up" models.

Results included the Camaro by Chevrolet, Barracuda by Chrysler, Javelin by American Motors and Firebird by Pontiac.

But Iacocca's Mustang, first out of the gate, was a hard act to follow.

On day one, more than 22,000 people purchased the Pony-Car. By the end of 1964, sales topped 263,000, and when first-year totals were in, sales hit 418,812.

Today, more than three decades later, people continue to celebrate "The Mustang Experience." And, the "Classic Mustang Era" -- those early models from 1965 through 1973, still turn heads

"Any time a driver pulls up in a classic Mustang, people start talking," said Jeff Sneathen, who has bought, rebuilt and meticulously restored Mustangs for more than two decades. The family enterprise started 22 years ago in modest quarters on Frederick Street in Cape Girardeau and has been in Gordonville, Mo., the past 20 years.

Sneathen and his wife, Sandra, operate SEMO Classic Mustang, a name that has attracted attention from all 50 states and more than 20 foreign countries. Also involved in the operation are Jordan, the Sneathens' 12-year-old son, Jamie Null, lead salesman, and Lorenzo Sandlin, shop foreman.

"We specialize in Boss and Cobra Jet models," said Sneathen, " but we have restored all models."

The company distributes a 90-page catalog of parts, restoration and services to clients worldwide.

A number of local Mustang enthusiasts -- many who were "baby boomers" just beginning to drive when the Mustang premiered -- now have Sneathen-restored Mustangs in their garages. These range from the first 1964 model to the more pricey Shelby, which was originally introduced as a GT-350 fastback model.

The Shelby is a rare breed of Mustang. Fewer than 10,000 were made from 1965 through 1971.

Sneathen said, "They are highly sought after. The Shelby had a variety of engine options -- including the GT-350 and the popular 428 Cobra Jet." Many Mustang owners prefer the earlier cars.

"I know fans who want the small six-cylinder, plain body and few options," said Sneathen, "and I know people who want the plain body but with a big power plant underneath the hood. It's all a matter of choice, and what the owner wants."

Mustangs are a popular staple at most collector and antique car shows, Sneathen said. Many of those Mustangs in the immediate area have at one time or another have visited Classic Mustang Inc., including international visitors.

"Some of our restorations started with nothing more than a shell," said Sneathen, who has a number of restorations under way at his shop. One of Sneathen's recent restoration projects was for Austin Craig of Grosse Pointe, Mich.

That project involved the restoration of a 1968 Ford Mustang coupe, a visual replica of the Trans-Am coupes prepared by Shelby American. The vehicle was updated from a bare shell to a state-of-the-art Titus Restomod, over an aggressive six-month time frame.

The original car, Sneathen said, was driven on the Trams-Am racing circuit by Shelby racing team leader and 1967 Trans-Am champion Jerry Titus.

"We selected SEMO Mustang for this restoration," said Craig, "because the company has over 20 years of fine craftsmanship, with restoration of numerous Shelbys, Mustangs and Ford other vehicles."

The restoration includes a 5-liter engine, complete with GT-40 heads, electronic fuel injection system and Ford Racing T-5 gearbox, The local company worked with a number of manufacturers to complete the extensive restoration.

The restored Mustang, exhibited by Ford Racing Performance Parts, has been showcased at numerous events, including the MidAmerica Ford Performance and Shelby Meet where it was put through its championship paces at the Tulsa International Dragway. Other shows are the Woodward Dream Cruise, Mustang Pony Express Tour, Auto Rama, SEMA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., and World of Wheels.

Sneathen's expertise has landed him seats on the Mustang Museum board of directors and the Mustangs of America board of directors.

The Mustang Museum board is looking at a couple of sites for a museum, said Sneathen. Potential sites include Orlando, Fla., and Atlanta, Ga., but the search is still open. As many as 25 towns and cities from Motor City itself to Mustang, Okla. have submitted proposals for the museum.

Ford supports the concept of a museum dedicated to its "pony." There are 429 Mustang clubs nationwide, with 170,000 Mustang Club members.

Sneathen said, "We think we have a lot to offer an established automobile museum."

More than 10,000 Mustangs were exhibited the car's 35th anniversary in Charlotte, N.C., this year. There were 100,000 people from around the world at the anniversary, sponsored by Mustang Club of America and FOMOCO.

More than 7 million Mustangs have been sold since that first one in 1964.

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