For the 1975–1990 subcompact car produced by Hyundai, see Hyundai Pony.
The 1965 Ford Mustang which was launched on 17 April 1964.
Pony car is an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupés or convertibles with a "sporty" or performance-oriented image.[1][2] Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive, a long hood, a short decklid, a wide range of options to individualize each car and use of mass-produced parts shared with other models. The popularity of pony cars is largely due to the launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964.[3][4][5][6]
There is much debate among enthusiasts about the exact definition of a pony car, and what differentiates the vehicle from a muscle car. The general consensus is that pony cars are smaller and more refined than muscle cars. A few intermediate-size vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger, may be considered to belong to both categories.[7]
In 2024, the Ford Mustang became the last remaining pony car still in production. The Challenger and the Camaro ended production in 2023; though the Camaro's final model year is 2024.
^Borroz, Tony (17 April 2009). "April 17, 1964: Ford Mustang Starts Galloping". Wired. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
^Squatriglia, Chuk (17 April 2009). "Mustang, the Ultimate Pony Car, Turns 45". Wired. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
^Mitchell, Larry G. (2000). AMC Muscle Cars. MotorBooks/MBI. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7603-0761-8. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
^Grist, Peter (2009). Dodge Challenger Plymouth Barracuda: Chrysler's Potent Pony Cars. Veloce. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-84584-105-8. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
^Linden, Steve (2008). Car Collecting. Motorbooks. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7603-2809-5. Retrieved 20 May 2017. Mustangs are part of a group of cars called "pony cars"—a term that originated with the Mustang
^Witzenburg, Gary L. (1979). Mustang ! The Complete History of America's Pioneer Ponycar. Automobile Quarterly. ISBN 978-0-525-16175-2.
^Robinson, Matt (2017). "What's The Difference Between A Muscle Car And A Pony Car?". carthrottle.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
Ponycar is an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupés or convertibles with a "sporty" or performance-oriented image...
developed the Hyundai Pony. The Pony was presented as a coupé concept car at the Turin Motor Show in October 1974, and the car was introduced in December...
From model years 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger ponycar was built using the Chrysler E platform in hardtop and convertible body...
muscle car ponycar grand tourer The definitions for these categories are often blurred and a car may be a member of multiple categories. Sports cars are designed...
opinions vary as to whether high-performance full-size cars, compacts, and ponycars qualify as muscle cars, and why a two-seat AMC AMX could be, but a two-seat...
other departments years later. AMC Javelins were the first ponycars used as police cars by any U.S. organization. The Alabama Highway Patrol evaluated...
Ford Torino chassis. While best known for underpinning the Ford Mustang ponycar, the Fox platform also saw use in personal luxury segments, underpinning...
longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its seventh generation, it is the fifth-best selling Ford car nameplate. The namesake of the "ponycar" automobile...
sports car design 1963–1989 Porsche 911—a sports car was awarded fifth place as Car of the 20th Century 1964–present Ford Mustang—the ponycar that became...
mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a ponycar. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and...
The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door ponycar that was manufactured by Chrysler Corporation from 1964 through 1974 model years. The first-generation Barracuda...
The 1966 Charger was an effort by Dodge to produce an upscale, upsized ponycar. American Motors Corporation (AMC) had already introduced a very similar...
through 1970 and 1971 through 1974 model years. The car was positioned and marketed in the ponycar market segment. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin...
and the Ford Mustang II temporarily downsized from the ponycar class to become a subcompact car for its second generation. The Monza with its GM variants...
and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a ponycar to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967...
larger than 400 in³ (6.6 L) V8. This put the Camaro at a disadvantage with ponycar rival Plymouth Barracuda since Plymouth had no such limit. Although Ford...
Institute of the Motor Industry. DeLorenzo, Matt (2004). Mustang 2005: A New Breed of PonyCar. Motorbooks International. p. 22. ISBN 978-0760320396....
coming until 2023 redesign". https://fox59.com/automotive/internet-brands/preview-2024-ford-mustang-injects-modern-tech-into-the-traditional-pony-car/...
(Chevelle) and ponycar (Camaro). Today these vehicles - referred to as COPOs - are among the most collectible 1960s performance cars. Chevrolet's second...
platform and Ford CD4 platform as the platform for its compact cars (C-segment) and mid-size cars. The modularity of the platform enables it to be used for...
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