Mike Ward
Creative director and car guy, I design unique auto show boards and t-shirts inspired by vintage car ads.
The Ford Mustang is one of history's most iconic cars. The original design was released in 1964 and was an instant hit. This car had everything it needed to succeed: performance, looks, and affordability. The Ford Mustang was the perfect car for the American public and has made a huge impact on the automotive world. Ford has been busy promoting it, print ads have been found just about everywhere over the last 60 years. Here are the top 12 vintage Ford Mustang print ads that give you a glimpse into that history and show off the Mustang's personality.
1 — Join the Mustangers!
In 1964, Ford launched a groundbreaking advertising campaign for their newest model, the Mustang. The slogan "Join the Mustangers!" set the tone for the rest of the car's production life and epitomized its unique personality. It tapped into people's desire for freedom and adventure, positioning the Mustang as more than a car - it was a lifestyle. The ad suggests that owning a Mustang could change a person's life, transforming them from being a timid school teacher to becoming society's darling. It focused on the lifestyle and image associated with owning this car rather than its performance , making it a symbol of freedom and excitement.
2 — Ford comes up with a real stopper!
Ford Mustangs 1966 ad "Ford comes up with a real stopper!" was a game-changer in terms of visuals and style. With a full-page image and clever copy placed directly on the picture, it caught attention and stood out from other ads of its time. The ad boasted about an 'innovative' concept - adding more power to a car should also come with brakes strong enough to stop it.
3 — Six and the Single Girl
The 1966 advertisements for the Ford Mustang were a reflection of the changing times, with slogans like "Six and the single girl" and "Supermarket sweetheart." These catchy phrases were meant to appeal to women, portraying the Mustang as a car that would empower and excite them. The ads featured images of glamorous young women behind the wheel, showcasing their independence and sophistication. They also highlighted the powerful performance of the Mustang's engine, portraying it as a trustworthy companion for any adventure. These campaigns perfectly captured the spirit of female empowerment during this era, and they continue to hold a nostalgic charm today.
4 — Mach 1–pronounced Mach Won!
This 1970 Ford Mustang ad is one of the best Mustang ads ever, and it's for one of the most iconic Mustangs, the Mach-1. Its '70s style illustration perfectly captures the energy and power of this legendary vehicle. The ad plays on the name "Mach 1," tying it to its race car counterparts, with the tagline "Pronounced Mach Won".
5 — Control and Balance make it a beautiful experience.
The 1972 Ford Mustang Mach-1 marked a new era in Mustang advertising, with a focus on sophistication. The advertising campaign featured the Mach-1 alongside various sports and leisure activities, such as tennis, surfing, skiing, golfing, and sailing. The sail boat ad really caught people's attention with its vibrant orange sunset backdrop and striking yellow gold Mustang. The copy compared driving a Mustang to sailing a boat "The pleasure of motion under control."
6 — The closer you look, the better we look.
A few years makes a big difference in the world. One gas crisis and every manufacturer retreats from all the good stuff they’ve made. The Mustang is no exception, while the Mustang II can be forgotten, this ad is still sleek and sophisticated.
7 — Cobra bites man. Both live.
In 1978 Ford started trying again, while the Mustang may not be back to where it was, its former personality and attitude is all over this print ad. It perfectly captures its personality and attitude. The image, design, and copy all align to create a powerful advertisement. As you look at the sleek lines of the Mustang in the ad, you can almost feel the raw power and speed it should have had. If only the car lived up to its muscle car heritage.
8 — The Boss is Back!
"The Boss is Back" is not just a tagline, it's a statement that evokes nostalgia and excitement in car enthusiasts. The ad features a classic 1980s design, with bold colors and sleek lines that were popular during that era. Plus any mention of the Boss and Carroll Shelby is enough to get any car guys heart pumping. Mustang GT is back is this cool ad, not by todays standards but 157 horsepower and 240 lb./ft. of torque would get you moving (slowly) in the early eighties.
9 — Go Ahead, Make your Day.
Ford took it to the next level with their I DARE U ad campaign in 1993. It challenged drivers to take on the thrill of driving this Mustang GT. The ad's bold message "Go Ahead, Make Your Day" and open door beckoning you to get behind the wheel and experience its full potential. And with the added element of a "I DARE U" license plate, this ad captures the spirit of adventure and excitement that comes with driving such an iconic car.
10 — Rebel Spirt
The 1999 Ford Mustang Rebel Spirit print ad takes us back to the roots of this iconic car, highlighting its predecessor and the spirit it embodies. The ad captures the rebellious attitude and boldness that has made the Mustang a beloved classic for decades. Plus, now you can use it’s power without shearing the rear lugnuts off. Progress.
11 — Finds Coffee. Makes donuts.
The 2013 Ford Mustang ad showcases the innovative voice activated navigation system, which not only helps you find your way, but also has the style and power of a Mustang, so go ahead, enjoy the ride and make some donuts.
12 — Respect the Rumble.
The Ford Mustang has always been an icon in the automotive world, and it's no surprise that each new generation continues to impress. The 6th generation Mustang is no exception, and Ford knows it. In their latest print ad, they simply states "Respect The Rumble," a powerful phrase that conjures up visions of this legendary car and its unmistakable V8 rumble. With every rev of the engine, you can feel the power and excitement that comes with driving a Mustang. And with each new generation, Ford continues to demand respect.
While some of the vintage ads wouldn’t last a day in today's sensitive ad world they made an impact back in their day and helped create the Ford Mustang as one of the most iconic and distinctive cars of all time. I can’t wait they dream up for the next generation.
***
Honorable mention
These print ads are cool in their own right but we had to draw the line of greatest somewhere.
The Ford Mustang is one of history's most iconic cars. The original design was released in 1964 and was an instant hit. This car had everything it needed to succeed: performance, looks, and affordability. The Ford Mustang was the perfect car for the American public and has made a huge impact on the automotive world. Ford has been busy promoting it, print ads have been found just about everywhere over the last 60 years. Here are the top 12 vintage Ford Mustang print ads that give you a glimpse into that history and show off the Mustang's personality.
1 — Join the Mustangers!
In 1964, Ford launched a groundbreaking advertising campaign for their newest model, the Mustang. The slogan "Join the Mustangers!" set the tone for the rest of the car's production life and epitomized its unique personality. It tapped into people's desire for freedom and adventure, positioning the Mustang as more than a car - it was a lifestyle. The ad suggests that owning a Mustang could change a person's life, transforming them from being a timid school teacher to becoming society's darling. It focused on the lifestyle and image associated with owning this car rather than its performance , making it a symbol of freedom and excitement.
2 — Ford comes up with a real stopper!
Ford Mustangs 1966 ad "Ford comes up with a real stopper!" was a game-changer in terms of visuals and style. With a full-page image and clever copy placed directly on the picture, it caught attention and stood out from other ads of its time. The ad boasted about an 'innovative' concept - adding more power to a car should also come with brakes strong enough to stop it.
3 — Six and the Single Girl
The 1966 advertisements for the Ford Mustang were a reflection of the changing times, with slogans like "Six and the single girl" and "Supermarket sweetheart." These catchy phrases were meant to appeal to women, portraying the Mustang as a car that would empower and excite them. The ads featured images of glamorous young women behind the wheel, showcasing their independence and sophistication. They also highlighted the powerful performance of the Mustang's engine, portraying it as a trustworthy companion for any adventure. These campaigns perfectly captured the spirit of female empowerment during this era, and they continue to hold a nostalgic charm today.
4 — Mach 1–pronounced Mach Won!
This 1970 Ford Mustang ad is one of the best Mustang ads ever, and it's for one of the most iconic Mustangs, the Mach-1. Its '70s style illustration perfectly captures the energy and power of this legendary vehicle. The ad plays on the name "Mach 1," tying it to its race car counterparts, with the tagline "Pronounced Mach Won".
5 — Control and Balance make it a beautiful experience.
The 1972 Ford Mustang Mach-1 marked a new era in Mustang advertising, with a focus on sophistication. The advertising campaign featured the Mach-1 alongside various sports and leisure activities, such as tennis, surfing, skiing, golfing, and sailing. The sail boat ad really caught people's attention with its vibrant orange sunset backdrop and striking yellow gold Mustang. The copy compared driving a Mustang to sailing a boat "The pleasure of motion under control."
6 — The closer you look, the better we look.
A few years makes a big difference in the world. One gas crisis and every manufacturer retreats from all the good stuff they’ve made. The Mustang is no exception, while the Mustang II can be forgotten, this ad is still sleek and sophisticated.
7 — Cobra bites man. Both live.
In 1978 Ford started trying again, while the Mustang may not be back to where it was, its former personality and attitude is all over this print ad. It perfectly captures its personality and attitude. The image, design, and copy all align to create a powerful advertisement. As you look at the sleek lines of the Mustang in the ad, you can almost feel the raw power and speed it should have had. If only the car lived up to its muscle car heritage.
8 — The Boss is Back!
"The Boss is Back" is not just a tagline, it's a statement that evokes nostalgia and excitement in car enthusiasts. The ad features a classic 1980s design, with bold colors and sleek lines that were popular during that era. Plus any mention of the Boss and Carroll Shelby is enough to get any car guys heart pumping. Mustang GT is back is this cool ad, not by todays standards but 157 horsepower and 240 lb./ft. of torque would get you moving (slowly) in the early eighties.
9 — Go Ahead, Make your Day.
Ford took it to the next level with their I DARE U ad campaign in 1993. It challenged drivers to take on the thrill of driving this Mustang GT. The ad's bold message "Go Ahead, Make Your Day" and open door beckoning you to get behind the wheel and experience its full potential. And with the added element of a "I DARE U" license plate, this ad captures the spirit of adventure and excitement that comes with driving such an iconic car.
10 — Rebel Spirt
The 1999 Ford Mustang Rebel Spirit print ad takes us back to the roots of this iconic car, highlighting its predecessor and the spirit it embodies. The ad captures the rebellious attitude and boldness that has made the Mustang a beloved classic for decades. Plus, now you can use it’s power without shearing the rear lugnuts off. Progress.
11 — Finds Coffee. Makes donuts.
The 2013 Ford Mustang ad showcases the innovative voice activated navigation system, which not only helps you find your way, but also has the style and power of a Mustang, so go ahead, enjoy the ride and make some donuts.
12 — Respect the Rumble.
The Ford Mustang has always been an icon in the automotive world, and it's no surprise that each new generation continues to impress. The 6th generation Mustang is no exception, and Ford knows it. In their latest print ad, they simply states "Respect The Rumble," a powerful phrase that conjures up visions of this legendary car and its unmistakable V8 rumble. With every rev of the engine, you can feel the power and excitement that comes with driving a Mustang. And with each new generation, Ford continues to demand respect.
While some of the vintage ads wouldn’t last a day in today's sensitive ad world they made an impact back in their day and helped create the Ford Mustang as one of the most iconic and distinctive cars of all time. I can’t wait they dream up for the next generation.
***
Honorable mention
These print ads are cool in their own right but we had to draw the line of greatest somewhere.
