Overview
1967 was a year of major change for Mustang in many ways. While some small parts carried over here and there, the 1967 model was literally all new inside and out. The most obvious change was the complete restyle of the car that brought deeper sculpting and bolder forms. A deeper, larger grille opening in front was framed by more dramatic headlight buckets. For the first time, an optional vented hood was offered that had turn signal indicators in the vents - cool. At the rear a new concave taillight panel gave what is now a trademark look to the Mustang.
The car looked larger because indeed it was. While the wheelbase remained the same, the car grew 2” wider. This for the most part was to allow the engine bay accommodate the new 390 V8 and other FE series engines. With the new 320hp “Thunderbird Special” engine, the 1967 models were the first Mustangs to really enter the muscle car fray. The new big-block Mustang came with a 4-speed “top loader” transmission or the heavy duty C6 automatic, another first for Mustang.
The engines were literally shoehorned into the small Mustang bay, requiring special exhaust manifolds, engine mounts and a transmission cross member. Shelby even installed a fire-breathing 428 into their version of the 1967 Mustang, the first GT-500. While they proved initially popular, the big-block Mustangs soon earned a reputation for being nose-heavy pigs with unrecoverable understeer.
The chassis was virtually identical to the previous models with only minor refinements in the hydraulic power steering system and brakes. A super heavy duty handling package was now available for the GT 390. The track was 2” wider which helped handling overall.
Inside, an all new interior set a new standard for luxury. The deeply sculpted instrument panel has proven popular such that it was mimicked for the 2005 Mustangs. New convenience features and options were added as well as Mustang’s first integrated air-conditioning system. Previous models used an under dash style add-on unit. New optional full length upper and lower consoles were available that brought design to a new level.
Also for 1967, the Mercury Cougar variant joined the Mustang on the assembly line. While mechanically identical the Cougar had completely unique sheetmetal and a slightly longer wheelbase. Cougar was available with the same engines with exception of the base six cylinder. |
