In early 1964, the raucous thundering stampede of half a million pounding hooves could be heard approaching from the distance, rumbling across the highways and byways of middle America. The muscle car movement was on its way with Pontiac’s introduction of its affordable intermediate size Tempest based GTO, and the high performance youth market was intensely picking up speed. Every manufacturer made its attempt at lassoing the mighty stallion to take a ride on what would become arguably one of the greatest eras of automotive history.

While the muscle car was quickly picking up momentum, one manufacturer brilliantly took the reigns and steered the era in a new direction that would not only introduce a new breed of car, but would introduce a car that would transcend the period and become a timeless automotive icon. The manufacturer was Ford, and with visionary General Manager Lee Iacocca at the reigns, the new breed - known as the pony car - was born in April 1964. The name given to the young steed was Mustang.

While the general idea behind the muscle car was placing big block engines in intermediate sized muscle cars, Iacocca’s Falcon based Mustang took the idea a step farther by placing top of the line performance engines in a smaller, arguably compact car. Plymouth introduced a similar concept with their Barracuda, conceivably granting them parental rights of the pony car, but it was the Mustangs first day sales of 22,000 units and first year sales of 500,000 units that steered the market and public awareness in the direction of the pony car. In fact, it was largely in part due to the great success of Ford’s long hood, short deck Mustang that led to the birth of pony car siblings Camaro & Firebird from Chevy & Pontiac, strengthening a period of the muscle car era that exists to this day.

The Mustang has gone through several radical changes during its existence, some of the most volatile & significant in its first generation. From the mid 60’s through the early 70’s, the Mustang could be had with a variety of engine choices in a variety of forms from convertible to notchback to fastback. For the greatest of performance enthusiasts, there were the GT350 & GT500 collaborations from Carroll Shelby or the in-house Mach 1 & Boss Mustang models. The Mach 1 & Boss Mustang models of 1971 marked a significant change in the beaten path of the now tamed muscle car stallion. It would be the last major restyle of the first-gen blue-oval pony, and it would further signify the demise of the muscle car era due to pressures from the insurance industry and new government restrictions. While the 1971 Mach 1 & Boss Mustang models marked the last in a line of “total performance” minded Mustangs for Ford Motor Company, they were in no way the tamest of the remaining muscle cars.

For 1971, Ford went along with Detroits “bigger is better” philosophy, and produced a Mustang model that had matured from a Pony into a Clydesdale. The 71 Mustang model grew 2.1” of length to 189.5 inches, 2.8” of width, and 1” in the wheelbase which was now 109”, plus several hundred pounds in mass. In order to keep the spirit of the bulkier Mustang alive, the Mach 1 carried on in 1971 powered by Ford’s 351 Cleveland V8 rated at 285bhp with a 330bhp option available on the Boss 351. Combining performance with agile road handling made the 71 Mach 1 one of Ford's most adept Mustang models thanks to Trans Am inspired competition suspension which consisted of high-rate front springs, staggered shocks, as well as front and rear stabilizer bars.

The burly soul of Fords 71 Stallion was appropriately captured with a radical broad-shouldered design, taking the pony cars long hood, short deck definition to the extreme. Taking a long walk off a short cliff could accurately describe the journey from nose to tail on the 1971 Mach 1. Due to the increased size of Ford’s 71 pony car, some enthusiasts might have argued the 71 Mustang looked like a “boat” on wheels, and in fact it does, if you’re thinking of the high performance Scarab speedboats that scorch the open seas. Ford’s all new design for the 1971 Mach 1 included several performance cues including rear deck mounted and front chin spoilers, a low restriction honeycomb grille & color-keyed front bumper, functional dual Ram Air hood ducts, high back bucket seats, dual sport mirrors and chrome Magnum 500 wheels. Add to that bold side stripes, a unique blacked out hood treatment, Mach 1 callouts on the front fenders and rear deck lid, and you had a race bred street legal pony car that not only sought splendor for Ford & the Mustang nameplate, but also for the 36,499 fortunate drivers.

Brilliant minds and talented hands have too sought the splendor of the last first-gen Mustang, which thousands of enthusiasts can now enjoy for years to come thanks to AutoArt’s near immaculate immortalization of the 1971 Mach 1 Mustang in grand 1/18 scale diecast.

Through & through, the AutoArt replica of the 1971 Mach 1 is arguably their best work to date. On the outside, the artisans at AutoArt have captured the look of the 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 dead on, from the body lines to the stance of the car. Authentically finished in your choice of Bright Red or Grabber Yellow, the paint quality on these Mustang diecast model cars is top notch. Not only are the AutoArt craftsmen top painters, but they have also done an equally amazing job replicating the remainder of this Ford pony car's exterior with tight shut lines, accurately placed & flawlessly implemented Mach 1 & Ram Air tampos & side stripes, rear & front chin spoilers, a delicate honeycomb grille as well as the Mach 1 authentic molded honeycomb pattern in the rear panel between the triple segmented tail lights. Speaking of lights, another forte on any AutoArt diecast model car are the front & rear lights, and the jewels on the Mach 1 are no exception. There are many other collectible manufacturers that should take note. Add to an already stunning exterior several chrome plated accents from the replicated twist & lock hood pins to the front grille & rear tail light panel trim, and you have yourself a handsome award-worthy diecast replica from AutoArt. The only bone for contention on the exterior is the chrome plated front bumper. According to many articles & other records, the 71 Mustang Mach 1 came with a color-keyed front bumper. While the possibility of optioning a chrome front bumper from the Ford dealer has yet to be proven one way or another - anything was possible back then - this possible oversight in no way detracts from what is arguably an attractive museum quality diecast piece. And surprisingly, all of this magnificence can be had at a not so museum quality price. Is AutoArt the best bang for the buck? Buy one of these Mustang models and see for yourself.

Based on the initial examination, if you’re first impression of AutoArt's eye-catching 1971 Mustang Mach 1 was anywhere in the neighborhood of wow, then wait until you see what the diecast specialists have crammed underneath the many opening parts. Under the scooped hood lies a fully detailed 351 Cleveland V8 engine bay with all the authentic details from accurate decals on the top & side of the air cleaner, and a simulated rubber ring around the air cleaner which fits in the opening of the Ram Air channel mounted to the underside of the hood which feeds air to the engine through the open dual hood scoops. The rest of the engine bay is a precisely detailed miniature jungle of belts, wires & hoses with more authentic instruction labels affixed to the surface of the fan shroud and radiator housing.

The remainder of the AutoArt diecast 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, from the interior to the opening spare-tire-filled trunk, is a further continuation of one of the most jubilant diecast releases in the 3rd quarter of 2003. Both the interior, rear window ledge and trunk compartment are fully flocked with carpeting. The interior is neatly tucked between a pair of realistically opening doors which are accented with detailed door panels and plastic windows molded in the upright position. Additional interior treats for the eye include realistically detailed & textured high back ribbed bucket seats trimmed with clasped fabric seatbelts, door sill plates, a detailed headliner with molded in dome light & sun visors, speaker covers on the rear window ledge, and several trim accents around the gauge cluster on the dash. Add to that several touches of wood grain trim on the steering wheel, door panels, and center console as well as an amazing level of detail on the center console gadgets & three spoke steering wheel including a centered pony emblem and you have a level of detail that is normally found only on higher dollar diecast model cars.

The undercarriage is a further delight, perhaps one of AutoArt’s best. Details include a painted oil filter, a painted exhaust & muffler system that exits through a pair of chrome plated tips, and a detailed simulated leaf spring suspension with painted staggered shocks. All of the above listed splendor of AutoArt's magnificent 1/18 scale 1971 Mustang Mach 1 rides on a set of soft to touch rubber rwl Goodyear tires wrapped around a set of highly detailed Magnum 500 wheels with pony center cap emblems.

AutoArt's celebration of the 1971 Mustang Mach 1 is a wonderful way to ring in Ford’s Centennial Anniversary and pay homage to the last restyle of the first-generation pony car that started it all. In true form of the original muscle car formula, the AutoArt diecast model replica is an affordable high detail copy of a once affordable high performance car. Available now in Bright Red or Grabber Yellow - for less than a day’s wages - there is hardly a reason for any muscle car, pony car, or Mustang enthusiast not to own one of these beautiful diecast models. Happy Collecting!