The Price of a Mustang Every Year Since 1964, Adjusted for Inflation
Since its debut in the ‘60s, the Ford Mustang has been a cultural icon. Even in its first generation, the “pony car” symbolized style, freedom, and power and was an instant success for Ford Motor Company. While it started as an affordable, sporty vehicle for the everyman (or everywoman), its price has climbed over the decades, signaling changes in technology, engineering, and market demand.
Each iteration of the Mustang reflects economic shifts, cultural changes, and advancements in automotive design. However, even as prices have changed, there’s still plenty to love about this iconic car. Today, Speedway Motors is looking at what owners paid for a Mustang across different eras and how that price compares in today’s dollars.
Like this infographic? Add it to your site with this easy-to-use HTML embed code:
1964: The Birth of a Legend
Imagine strolling into a dealership today and spotting a brand-new Mustang for $24,000. In 1964, that was the reality for the enthusiastic buyers of the American icon’s first-gen model on April 17th, 1964. At only $2,368 ($24,344 adjusted for inflation), the Mustang Hardtop impressed buyers with its low sticker price despite its luxurious features.
After years of research into the market, the Mustang was created to appeal to college-educated Baby Boomers looking for something sporty, affordable, and fun. Inspired by European sports cars, the Mustang was designed to be lightweight, stylish, and sporty but also practical. Ford marketed it as a car suitable for everyone from bachelors to families. To market the car, Ford held a press conference at the New York World’s Fair on April 17th, 1964 and bought time on all three television networks to advertise.
The gamble paid off. The Mustang was an instant hit, selling over 100,000 units in just four months and solidifying itself as the ultimate pony car. It set the stage for the muscle car wars of the late ‘60s and beyond.
The Muscle Car Boom and Power Struggles
As the Mustang gained traction, Ford started looking for ways to push performance to new heights. The late ‘60s brought about the 1969 Boss 429 SportsRoof, which had a much heftier sticker price of $4,798. Adjusted for inflation, this car would cost around $42,814 today. Of course, the price reflected the incredible engineering that went into this limited production model. The Boss 429 was intended to compete with the Mopar HEMI engine in NASCAR and was capable of up to 500 horsepower.
The early ‘70s Mustangs still had that muscle car magic, but the gas crisis and government regulations soon changed the game. The 1971 Mustang Grande Hardtop set buyers back $3,212 (or around $25,637 today). It was not a bad deal, but consumers sought a more fuel-efficient model as the gas crisis took hold. Things had shifted dramatically by the time the Mustang II arrived in 1974. The Mustang II cost $3,363 ($22,925 today), but with a more petite size and less muscle, it was a different breed, albeit one with better mileage and fuel economy.
The Mustang Revival
By the 80s, Mustang sales had begun to wane, and the Camaro was about to outsell the classic pony car for the first time ever. In 1993, Ford released the SVT Cobra model of the Fox Mustang for just over $18,000 ($40,000 today). The vehicle was relatively popular and well-liked, thanks to its versatility as both a day-to-day vehicle as well as a track ready car.
By the late 90s, Ford began to use technological advancements and released a new “modular” V8 engine to the brand in the SN-95 chassis’ 1996 Mustang GT, contributing to its popularity at the end of the 90s and early 2000s.
As the new millennium kicked off, Mustang design took inspiration from its classic roots while packing in modern features. The S197-based 2007 Shelby GT500 Coupe Premium rolled off the lot at $40,930, which translates to around $64,235 today. Ford was going all-in on horsepower, and buyers were happy to pay the premium.
The Mustang Today
By the 2010s, Mustangs were equipped with cutting-edge tech, comfort, and performance features. The 2015 Mustang GT 50 Years Limited Edition, debuting on the new S550 chassis, cost $46,170, which in today’s dollars is about $62,757. Fast forward to the S650-based 2025 Dark Horse Premium; you’re looking at $69,375. Despite the higher sticker price, this model doesn’t come with the performance packs of previous years’ cars.
What’s Driving Price Changes
So, why have Mustang prices climbed beyond inflation alone? A few key reasons:
- Technology & Safety: A ‘60s Mustang was raw, simple, and powerful. Modern Mustangs come with digital dashboards, advanced safety features, and driver-assist tech that wasn’t even a thought back in the day.
- Performance Gains: Today's base Mustang packs more power than some of the top-tier performance models from decades ago. That kind of engineering drives up the price.
- Material & Production Costs: It’s no secret that cars are more expensive to build now. Everything from raw materials to labor costs impacts the final sticker price.
With the Mustang entering its seventh decade, there’s plenty of room for speculation about its future. From electric cars becoming more popular and the increasing price of new vehicles, it’s entirely possible that will also be true for this American classic. One thing is undoubtedly true: the Mustang will keep evolving, and whether you bought one in 1964 or are eyeing the latest model, you are part of a legacy that is still going strong. No matter which Mustang era has your heart, keeping it in top shape is key. Whether you need performance upgrades, restoration parts, or routine maintenance supplies, we have you covered. Shop our selection of high-quality Mustang parts and get fast shipping on everything you need to keep your pony car roaring for years to come!