‘It is a definitive American classic from 1967: a first generation 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback S-Code that is finished in a gorgeous color scheme of Highland Green combined with a black interior. Highland Green: the same gorgeous color as the ’68 Mustang that Steve McQueen, perhaps the coolest movie star ever, drives with such extraordinary panache and daring in the classic 10 minute car-chase through the streets of San Francisco in the game-changing movie Bullitt. (A white convertible Mustang already had debuted in 1964’s Goldfinger, the third James Bond film.)

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‘The Mustang I have is equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter, 390ci V8 engine, Holley four-barrel carburetor, front-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust, scooped hood, three-spoke steering wheel, and Shelby-Cobra branded wheels wearing BFGoodrich tires.

‘In the late 1960s – indubitably boosted by its role in Bullitt, but it was there already anyway – the Ford Mustang was almost the aspirational definition of great American automobiles. The Ford Mustang defined a spirit of American freedom. From its name alone you immediately conjured up visions of wild horses roaming the American interior, free and untamed – a perfect image for a pretty perfect car.

‘The Ford Mustang was initially introduced on April 17, 1964, as a hardtop and convertible; its styling borrowed from the sleek lines of European sports-cars. The hardtop cost an affordable $2,368.

‘Accordingly, the company did something no-one had done before: Ford bought key primetime advertising slots – Perry Mason on CBS; The Jimmy Dean Show on ABC; and on NBC’s Hazel – on all three networks, showing ads that highlighted the Mustang’s looks and cost.

‘This mass-market blitz paid off. The idea was to create ‘Mustang Mania’ – it was the same year as Beatle-mania, of course – and it worked. There were near riots in Pittsburgh, Arkansas, and Texas as people clamored to showrooms to see the new car.

‘The ‘fastback’, as we have at the moment at Beverly Hills Car Club and as Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt, was introduced in August 1964 for the 1965 model year. Quickly the fastback reached 103,000 sales.

‘The Mustang was blessed with a great name, a perfect piece of marketing, one that absolutely hit the bullseye.

‘As to the name’s origin there are two separate, contending stories. The first is that the Mustang title came from John Najjar, who – in tandem with fellow Ford Stylist Philip T. Clark – designed the first prototype of this Ford classic. His choice of name, it is said, came directly from his love of the World War 2 P-51 Mustang plane, the long-range US single-seater fighter-bomber that was more than a match for German Messerschmitts.

‘To this list of potential names Eggert, inspired by his book, threw in the Mustang title. Which then overwhelmingly won the race.

‘Anyway, as we all know, there are generally two sides to every story. So you can take your pick. Probably both are correct…

‘You can make up your own mind by checking out the fabulous Highland Green 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback S-Code we have on sale here at Beverly Hills Car Club.

‘The ultimate Mustang ride.

-Alex Manos, Owner