Mustang 1964, Convertible (Discontinued) TQ 14
By 1964, the Thunderbird had grown into a large luxury vehicle. Then Ford took the pulse of the auto buying public and introduced the 1964 ½ Mustang-the first of the "pony" cars. With its long hood and short trunk, it looked like a sports roadster of the previous decade. One of FM's earlier issues, this model lacks some of the more recent whistles and bells. Nevertheless, it's a hefty piece of die cast metal. All the parts fit reasonably well, and the exterior trim is a bit above average. The undercarriage is well rendered, in usual FM style. The engine details include wiring and decals and the interior detailing is satisfactory. There's even a spare tire in the trunk, which boasts an authentically patterned liner. The wheel covers and spinners are nicely crafted and look sharp. I would have liked molded hood letters and fender emblems though, instead of decals, to lend a more authentic touch. And, since this model is of an earlier vintage, the convertible version comes top-down only, with a fixed boot. All things considered, this is a nice looking effort and a must-have for the model aficionado who wants one of the seminal cars of the '60s to round out the collection. I can't think of a more representative piece of automotive history than the 1964 ½ Ford Mustang. The issue price is $90. DISCONTINUED 12/31/2000 (09/26/1998)
