Introducing an Icon: the Development of the Ford Mustang and its April 17, 1964 Debut at the New York Word’s Fair

Join Jeff Bliemeister, Executive Director of America’s Transportation Experience at the AACA Museum, Inc at Hershey, during World’s Fair Weekend for an exciting guest lecture. Included with admission.

The early 1960s were a time of economic prosperity and rapidly changing demographics in the United States. American families were evolving from single car to multi vehicle households at a staggering rate. Baby Boomers were coming of age, creating a vast untapped market. Lee Iacocca, the 36-year-old Vice President and General Manager of Ford Motor Company was a degreed engineer but stood out as a natural salesman. He recognized the potential market appeal of a sporty but practical two door car –something stunningly different that was affordable and within the reach of most potential buyers. Still smarting from the financial disaster of the Edsel, Ford Motor Company’s president, Henry Ford II, was hesitant to invest a new and untested venture. Iacocca assembled a team of executives from across Ford’s various departments who met “off-campus” at the Fairlane Inn in Dearborn, Michigan in the evenings to conduct research and design discussions on a new sporty youth-oriented car. The work of the “Fairlane Committee” led to the development of the now iconic Ford Mustang. Never one to miss a marketing opportunity, Iacocca targeted the 1964 New York World’s Fair for the car’s public debut. The period from project approval to April 17th was 18-months, a then unheard-of timeframe for developing a
new model.

This talk will discuss the fascinating history behind the Mustang’s development. Ford’s use of television and other media to create anticipation for the new car will also be highlighted, along with the overwhelming reception Mustang received both from the buying public and the press. Ford had the largest building at the New York World’s Fair and used this venue for the Mustang’s press release and public unveiling. Millions of visitors were then given the opportunity to “ride” in a new Mustang convertible as part of the pavilion’s Disney-built “Magic Skyway.” Weather permitting, Mr. Bliemeister will drive his 1964 ½ Mustang Convertible to the NMIH for outside display on the day of the talk.

For a full schedule of World’s Fair Weekend events, click here.

About the Presenter

Jeff Bliemeister is the Executive Director of America’s Transportation Experience, the AACA Museum, Inc at Hershey.  He has worked as a museum professional since graduating from college and has over 35 years of experience in the field.  His credentials include a BA in history and political science from the State University of New York College at Geneseo and an MA in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.

His interest in world’s fairs came from a college internship at the Bufalo and Erie County Historical Society where he spent a summer researching the city’s 1901 Pan American Exposition.  His work served as the outline narrative for a semi-permanent exhibition.  While on a recent vacation, he visited the Sunsphere and other remaining structures from Knoxville’s 1982 World’s Fair.  Jeff recently learned that he attended the New York World’s Fair in 1965.  Unfortunately, he has no recollection of the Mustang at the Ford Pavilion as he was traveling in a baby stroller.

His interest in the Ford Mustangs goes back even further.  He admired the then classic cars as a teenager and purchased his first project Mustang while in college.  He has owned at least one vintage Mustang continuously since 1984.  Weather permitting, he will drive his 1964 ½ Mustang Convertible to the NMIH for outside display on the day of the talk.