Pony car

{{Short description|American car classification}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{For|the 1975–1990 subcompact car produced by Hyundai|Hyundai Pony}}

right|thumb|300px|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.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/04/dayintech_0417 |last=Borroz |first=Tony |title=April 17, 1964: Ford Mustang Starts Galloping |magazine=Wired |date=17 April 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101072225/http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/04/dayintech_0417 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url= https://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/multimedia/2009/04/gallery_mustang |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuk |title=Mustang, the Ultimate Pony Car, Turns 45 |magazine=Wired |date=17 April 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101072222/http://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/multimedia/2009/04/gallery_mustang |archive-date=1 January 2014 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref> Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive, a long hood, a short deck, bucket seats, room for four, 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, which created the niche and term.<ref>{{cite book | last=Mitchell |first=Larry G. |title=AMC Muscle Cars |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |year=2000 |page=17 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JHVaQFDrx_MC&q=create+a+new+American+class+of+cars+called+%22pony+cars%22&pg=PA1959 |isbn=978-0-7603-0761-8 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Grist |first=Peter |title=Dodge Challenger Plymouth Barracuda: Chrysler's Potent Pony Cars |publisher=Veloce |year=2009 |page=6 |isbn=978-1-84584-105-8 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=o4wNh7QuIr4C&q=pony+car+originates+from+equestrian+sounding&pg=PA6 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_ofn58oIudIC&q=Mustangs+are+part+of+a+group+of+cars+called+%22pony+cars%22+—+a+term+that+originated+with+the+Mustang&pg=PA8 |page=8 |title=Car Collecting |first=Steve |last=Linden |publisher=Motorbooks |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7603-2809-5 |quote=Mustangs are part of a group of cars called "pony cars"—a term that originated with the Mustang |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref name="Witzenburg">{{cite book|title=Mustang ! The Complete History of America's Pioneer Ponycar |year=1979 |first=Gary L. |last=Witzenburg |publisher=Automobile Quarterly |isbn=978-0-525-16175-2}}</ref>

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 homogeneous in their form than muscle cars. A few intermediate-size vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger, may be considered to belong to both categories.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's The Difference Between A Muscle Car And A Pony Car? |url= https://www.carthrottle.com/post/whats-the-difference-between-a-muscle-car-and-a-pony-car/ |first=Matt |last=Robinson |date=2017 |website=carthrottle.com |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>

== History == === 1960–1963: Predecessors === [[File:1964 Corvair Monza.jpg|thumb|right|1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza]]

In the early 1960s, Ford, Plymouth, and AMC began noticing the rising interest in small, sporty cars, and the increasing importance of younger buyers. In order to convince the management of Ford to approve a small, sporty car for production, the Budd Company built a prototype two-seat roadster called the XT-Bird. The XT-Bird was built using the compact car chassis of the Ford Falcon with a modified 1957 Ford Thunderbird body. Ford rejected the proposal, preferring to design a four-seat sporty car instead which would expand its sales volume.<ref name="McCausland">{{cite web|last=McCausland |first=Evan |title=The Ford Mustang Wasn't The First Pony Car |url= http://www.automobilemag.com/news/ford-mustang-wasnt-the-first-pony-car/ |website=Automobile Magazine |date=2 December 2013 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="Witzenburg"/>

The Budd Company then approached American Motors Corporation (AMC) with the Budd XR-400 prototype, which was based on a 1962 AMC Ambassador two-door with a shortened chassis and the body moved {{convert|16|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} rearward to allow for a longer hood (bonnet).<ref name="McCausland"/> The automaker's "management expressed interest in a new car with a sports flair" and work on the AMC Rambler Tarpon, a 2+2 coupe with an elongated fastback roof, began in early 1963.<ref name="McCausland"/>

Examples of production cars that included sporty and youthful appeal include the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2007/08/Corvair-Connoisseurs/1494230.html |title=Corvair Connoisseurs |date=August 2007 |work=Hemmings Classic Car |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> Initially positioned as an economy car, the Corvair's plusher-trimmed and sportier Monza model sold around 144,000 units by 1961. The Corvair Monza's bucket seats and floor-mounted transmission shifter started a trend toward these features being offered in cars ranging from compacts to full-size cars. Competing models inspired by the Corvair Monza included the Ford Falcon Futura and Futura Sprint models and the Rambler American 440-H and Rogue models.<ref>{{cite web|last=Severson|first=Aaron |title=The Sporting American: The History of the AMC Javelin |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/amc-javelin-history/ |work=Ate Up With Motor |date=13 March 2010 |quote=The new Rogue would be AMC's entrée into the emerging "pony car" market. |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> Most sporty compacts were powered by the same economical six-cylinder engines as their more mundane platform counterparts, but in some cases, optional V8 engines were available along with four-speed manual transmissions.

=== 1964–1966: Initial pony cars released === {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220 | image1 = 1966 Plymouth Barracuda photo-3.JPG | caption1 = 1966 Plymouth Barracuda | image2 = 1st Ford Mustang coupe.jpg | caption2 = 1965 Ford Mustang }}

The first entry into what would become known as the “pony car” marketplace was the Plymouth Barracuda, which went on sale on April 1, 1964 (two weeks before the Ford Mustang).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://musclecarclub.com/plymouth-barracuda/ |title=Plymouth Baracuda History 1964–1974 |date=25 March 2015 |publisher=musclecarclub.com |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The Barracuda was released as a fastback coupe, based on the platform of the Plymouth Valiant compact car.<ref>{{cite web |title=1964–1974 Plymouth Baracuda History |url= https://www.topspeed.com/cars/plymouth/1964-plymouth-baracuda-history/ |website=TopSpeed.com |date= 4 May 2006 |access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fish Story: The Plymouth Barracuda (Part One) |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/plymouth-barracuda-history-part-one |website=Ate Up With Motor |access-date=8 March 2019 |date=5 October 2008}}</ref> Chrysler's precarious financial situation meant that there was a limited development budget for the Barracuda, which led to a compromised design. The Barracuda was criticized for having insufficient distinction from the Valiant and the styling drew mixed reactions. As a result, Barracuda sales were a fraction of the Mustang's.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.74barracuda.com/64_66.htm |title=1964–1966 Barracuda |publisher=74barracuda.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111002105520/http://www.74barracuda.com/64_66.htm |archive-date=2 October 2011 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

At the Ford Motor Company, executive Lee Iacocca had commissioned studies that suggested a market for a unique-looking, affordable sporty car.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fehn |first=Daniel |title=Pony Car History – The Story Behind America's Smaller Muscle Cars |url= https://www.timelessrides.com/blog/automotive-history/pony-car-history |website=Timeless Rides |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> This led to the development of a sporty 2+2 car based on the Ford Falcon platform, launched on April 17, 1964, as the 1965 Ford Mustang. Sporting a long hood and short deck, it was offered as a two-door coupé and convertible. In its base specification, the drivetrain was typical of an economy car: a {{convert|170|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} six-cylinder engine with a three-speed manual transmission. The {{USD|2368}} base price included bucket seats, carpeting, floor shifter, sport steering wheel, and full-wheel covers. However, desirable options such as V8 engines, a four-speed manual gearbox, air conditioning, and power steering could increase the price by up to 60%, which made such versions very profitable for Ford.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1965-1966-ford-mustang.htm#pt3 |title=1965 Mustang Options |website=How Stuff Works |date=4 February 2007 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1965-1966-ford-mustang.htm#pt2 |title=The 1965 Ford Mustang |website=How Stuff Works |date=4 February 2007 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

The Mustang was an enormous success, with first-year sales forecasts of 100,000 units being shattered on the first day, when Ford dealers took orders for 22,000 vehicles, forcing the company to immediately increase production. The extended model year sales totaled 618,812 Mustangs.<ref>{{cite press release|url= http://media.ford.com/print_doc.cfm?article_id=20463 |last=Engelman |first=Emily |title=Ford to Increase Mustang Production to Meet Runaway Consumer Demand |publisher=Ford Motor |date=18 March 2005 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120306060113/http://media.ford.com/print_doc.cfm?article_id=20463 |archive-date=6 March 2012 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The Mustang broke all post-World War II automobile sales records, "creating the 'pony car' craze soon adopted by competitors."<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Y3W4-HnvkfsC&pg=PA324 |page=324 |title=The 1960s (Eyewitness History) |first=Timothy P. |last=Maga |publisher=Facts on File |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-8160-4809-0 |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref>

The 1965 Mustang provided the template for the new class of automobiles.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gunnell |first=John A. |title=Mustang, America's Favorite Pony Car |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-87341-946-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Bowling |first=Brad |title=Mustang Field Guide: America's Favorite Pony Car |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-89689-145-6}}</ref> The term "pony car" to describe members of its ranks was coined by ''Car Life'' magazine editor Dennis Shattuck.{{when|reason= As worded, the citation indicates that the term was coined in 1984. A finer point needs to be made on this contention.|date=February 2025}}<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Motor |title=An evocative event in California – 700 Mustangs appeared at a 20th Anniversary |year=1984 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=12tWAAAAMAAJ&q=A+further+mark+of+success+is+the+group+of+%22Pony+Cars%22+(a+term,+incidentally,+that+was+coined+by+Dennis+Shattuck,+who+was+editor+of+Car+Life+magazine+at+that+time)+spawned+by+Mustang:+Chevrolet+Camaro,+Pontiac+Firebird,+Plymouth+Barracuda |volume=166 |page=25 |quote=A further mark of success is the group of "Pony Cars" (a term, incidentally, that was coined by Dennis Shattuck, who was editor of Car Life magazine at that time) spawned by Mustang: Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Plymouth Barracuda |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The characteristics of a pony car were generally defined as:<ref name="storycamaro">{{cite book |last1=Gunnell |first1=John |last2=Heasley |first2=Jerry |title=The Story of Camaro |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2006 |page=16 |isbn=978-0-89689-432-7}}</ref> * A sporty compact car for the masses,<ref>{{cite book|last=DeLorenzo |first=Matt |title=Mustang 2005: A New Breed of Pony Car |year=2004 |publisher=Motorbooks International |isbn=978-0-7603-2039-6 |page=20 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Xil7gxb6ECoC&q=Originally,+pony+cars+were+sporty+compact+cars+for+the+masses.+Eventually,+they+transformed+into+performance+cars+for+enthusiasts+whose+viability+depended+on&pg=PA20 |access-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> that could carry four people * Long hood, short deck profile, and "open mouth" styling<ref>{{cite book |last=Gartman |first=David |title=Auto opium: a social history of American automobile design |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1994 |page=197 |isbn=978-0-415-10572-9}}</ref> * Affordable base price (under {{USD|2500}} – in 1965 dollar value) * Wide range of options to individualize each car * Manufactured using mass-produced parts shared with other models * Youth-oriented marketing and advertising

While most pony cars were produced with economical six-cylinder or small V8 engines,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hakim |first=Danny |title=Driving: As Other Pony Cars Eat Dust, the Mustang Roars On |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/19/travel/driving-as-other-pony-cars-eat-dust-the-mustang-roars-on.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 April 2002 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> more powerful V8 engines and performance packages consistent with the “sporty car” image were offered.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://musclecarclub.com/muscle-car-definition/ |title= Muscle Car Club definition – Introduction |date= 2 January 2015 |quote=These new "pony cars" and compact cars are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options. |publisher=musclecarclub.com |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> The most extreme models saw limited sales and were largely limited to drag racing, road racing, or motorsport homologation purposes.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zlteCwAAQBAJ&q=most+of+them+were+homologation+specials+built+in+ultralow+volumes+to+qualify+cars+and+engines+for+racing+programs&pg=PA81 |quote=Most of them were homologation specials built in ultralow volumes to qualify cars and engines for racing programs |page=81 |title=American Muscle Cars: A Full-Throttle History |first=Darwin |last=Holmstrom |publisher=Motorbooks |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-7603-5013-3 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

=== 1967–1970 Segment expands === {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220 | image1 = 1968 Chevrolet Camaro - 5-6-2023.png | caption1 = Chevrolet Camaro, introduced for the 1967 model year | image2 = 1970 Mercury Cougar 2dr HT brown, front right.jpg | caption2 = Mercury Cougar, introduced for the 1967 model year

| image3 = 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (30250531103) (cropped).jpg | caption3 = Pontiac Firebird, introduced for the 1967 model year | image4 = 1969 Javelin SST red w white C-stripe fr.jpg | caption4 = AMC Javelin, introduced for the 1968 model year }}

Initially, General Motors believed that the restyled 1965 Chevrolet Corvair (a rear-engined compact car) would be an adequate challenger for the Mustang. Initially successful, sales of the Corvair tanked in 1966 due to an infamous handling issue, and as a result, the more conventional front-engine, Nova-based Chevrolet Camaro was introduced for the 1967 model year. A few months later, the Camaro-based Pontiac Firebird was introduced.

The Mustang was redesigned for the 1967 model year and became the basis for the upscale Mercury Cougar on a longer wheelbase.

American Motors introduced its first pony car in 1967 with the 1968 model year Javelin.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mueller |first=Mike |title=Motor City Muscle: High-Powered History of the American Muscle Car |year=1997 |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |isbn=978-0-7603-0196-8 |page=101}}</ref> The car was described as a "roomy, comfortable, peppy and handsome example of a so-called ''pony car'', the type of automobile that's showing up more and more on US highways."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Johncock |first=Gordon |title=Gordon Johncock Tests AMC's Javelin |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=November 1967 |volume=128 |issue=5 |pages=128–130, 218, 219, 220 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gtQDAAAAMBAJ&q=Gordon+Johncock+tests+AMC+Javelin&pg=PA128 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

In 1969 the 1970 model year Dodge Challenger joined the already crowded pony car segment. The Challenger was essentially an enlarged Barracuda.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mitchell |first=Larry G. |title=AMC Muscle Cars |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |year=2000 |page=33 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JHVaQFDrx_MC&q=By+1967+the+market+was+filled+with+pony+cars&pg=RA1-PA1951 |isbn=978-0-7603-0761-8 |access-date=12 October 2020 |quote=By 1967 the market was filled with pony cars.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Young |first=Tony |title=Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Muscle |year=2007 |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |isbn=978-0-7603-3204-7 |page=47 |quote=Dodge was the last of the car manufacturers to join the pony-car race, so the Challenger, introduced in the fall of 1969, was an appropriate name.}}</ref>

The pony car market segment was maturing and all four domestic automakers were building versions of the long hood/short deck template that Ford had developed.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.heacockclassic.com/articles/the-significant-7-american-pony-cars/ |title=The Significant 7 – The Most Notable Of The American Pony Cars |first=Paul |last=Zazarine |date=19 September 2014 |work=Heacock |access-date=20 May 2017}}</ref> The term pony car applied to all versions of these nameplates, from base models to the high-performance muscle car models,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leffingwell |first1=Randy|last2=Holmstrom |first2=Darwin |last3=Newhardt |first3=David |title=Muscle: America's Legendary Performance Cars |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |year=2006 |page=16 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=0SG1yOw4edUC&q=%22The+Pony+Wars%22&pg=PA5 |isbn=978-0-7603-2284-0 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> developed in league with factory supported racing to gain a marketing edge.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Holder |first1=William |last2=Kunz |first2=Phil |title=Extreme Muscle Cars |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2006 |page=14 |isbn=978-0-89689-278-1}}</ref> The competition between the manufacturers was so fierce that the introduction and rollout of Trans-Am Series racing from 1966 to 1972 is described as a battle in "The Pony Car Wars".<ref name=pcw>{{cite book |last=Friedman |first=Dave |title=Trans-Am: The Pony Car Wars 1966–1972 |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-7603-0943-8 |url-access=registration |url= https://archive.org/details/transamponycarwa00frie |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

While sales were strong throughout the end of the 1960s, pony cars' greater value was in generating brand loyalty, particularly among the crucial youth market. In 1970 ''Car and Driver'' reported that while very few pony car drivers bought a second, around 50% purchased another model from the same manufacturer.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} Even so, by as early as 1969 sales were beginning to slide, dropping to 9% of the total market from a peak of 13% in 1967.

Directly inspired by the Ford Mustang, Ford of Europe began production of the Ford Capri in 1968<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Albert L. |last2=Musciano |first2=Walter A. |title=Automobiles of the world|publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1977 |page=608 |isbn=978-0-671-22485-1}}</ref> (using the Cortina MkII platform and driveline and a few components from the Escort), while GM Europe introduced the Opel Manta and Vauxhall Firenza. In April 1970, the Capri began to be imported from Europe and was sold in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.

The success of the Mustang also inspired the creation of the Toyota Celica compact coupe, which was released in 1970. Toyota had earlier introduced the 1967 Toyota 1600GT 2-door hardtop and installed a DOHC I4 cylinder engine with dual carburetors and a 5-speed manual transmission.<ref>{{cite book|title=Celica & Supra: The Book of Toyota's Sports Coupes |first=Brian |last=Long |publisher=Veloce Publishing |year=2007 |page=106 |isbn=978-1-904788-13-3}}</ref> Like the Mustang, the Celica was built using the platform of an economy car; although the Celica was {{convert|23|in|mm|-1}} shorter than the Mustang and did not offer a V8 engine. Several Japanese automakers sold compact coupes in the United States as smaller competitors to pony cars. However, no Japanese manufacturer produced a pony car.<ref name="japanesefailed">{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/automobiles/19JAPAN.html |first=Lawrence |last=Ulrich |title=Japanese Failed to Bet on the Pony Car |date=19 April 2009 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

===1971–1975: Larger cars, declining sales=== {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220 | image1 = '72 Dodge Challenger (Rigaud).jpg | caption1 = 1972 Dodge Challenger | image2 = 1971 AMC Javelin AMX 401 in Mustard Yellow at 2015 AMO show 1of7.jpg | caption2 = 1971 AMC Javelin AMX | image3 = 1974 Ford Mustang Ghia (14389802775).jpg | caption3 = 1975 Ford Mustang II Ghia }}

As with many automobile redesigns, each subsequent generation of the pony cars grew larger, heavier, costlier, and more comfort-oriented.<ref name="Gunell-47">{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QVRyuQEACAAJ&q=American+Cars+of+the+1960s:+A+Decade+of+Diversity |page=47 |title=American Cars of the 1960s: A Decade of Diversity |first=John |last=Gunnell |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-89689-131-9 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> This trend was also influenced by many late 1960s and early 1970s pony car buyers purchasing optional equipment and models with higher prices.<ref name="Gunell-47"/> Examples of the increasing size and weight of pony cars are: * The 1970 Dodge Challenger was only slightly smaller externally than the intermediate-sized four-door Dodge Coronet sedan. The Challenger was less than {{convert|200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} lighter than a typical intermediate sedan. * The 1971 AMC Javelin was {{convert|191.8|in|mm|0}} long, which is {{convert|10|in|mm|0}} longer than the 1965 Ford Mustang. * The 1973 Ford Mustang was {{convert|8.5|in|mm|0}} longer, {{convert|5.9|in|mm|0}} wider, and over {{convert|600|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} heavier than the original 1965 Mustang.

Big block V8 engines became available in pony cars, which increased straight-line performance but underscored the limitations of the suspension, brakes, and tires. The six-cylinder and lower-specification V8 engines struggled with the increased weight of the pony cars.

By 1970 buyers were moving away from the pony cars, either toward smaller compact cars or the more luxurious personal luxury cars. The pony car market was also hindered by high insurance rates and increased restrictions on performance cars.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EnYkzsGr450C&q=insurance+company+pressures+combined+to+assault+the+pony+car+market+with+restrictive+regulations+or+unbearable+insurance+rates |page=569 |title=Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946–1975 |editor-first=John |editor-last=Gunnell |year=1992 |publisher=Krause Publications |isbn=978-0-87341-204-9 |edition=Third |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> Since 1968, power outputs of the performance models had been eroding as a result of stricter vehicle emissions controls.<ref>{{cite web |title=50 years of Ford Mustang: Wrapping up our list of the ultimate pony cars |url= https://www.nydailynews.com/autos/50-years-ford-mustang-wrapping-list-ultimate-pony-cars-article-1.1553902 |first=Kirk |last=Bell |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=20 December 2013 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101100304/https://www.nydailynews.com/autos/50-years-ford-mustang-wrapping-list-ultimate-pony-cars-article-1.1553902 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> By 1972, small imported sports cars were increasing in popularity, and the domestic pony cars were not selling well.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=69QDAAAAMBAJ&q=Firebird+and+Camaro+discontinued&pg=PA176 |page=177 |title=Mini-ponycars – Detroit thinks small again |first=Michael |last=Lamm |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=December 1972 |volume=138 |issue=6 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref> Industry observers believed that the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird might be discontinued after the 1973 model year.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The 1973 oil crisis left the large and heavy pony cars out of step with the marketplace. The Mustang, which had grown to become an intermediate-sized car and alienated buyers, was downsized for its second-generation; this 1974 Ford Mustang II was marketed as a fuel-efficient model with luxury or sporty trim packages.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l_1ngoGACCUC&q=Ford+Mustang+grown+big+alienated+many&pg=PA83 |page=83 |last1=Sessler |first1=Peter |first2=Nilda |last2=Sessler C. |title=Ford Mustang Buyer's And Restoration Guide |year=2006 |publisher=Sams Technical Publishing |isbn=978-0-7906-1326-0 |via=Googe Books |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> Inspired by smaller imported sporty cars such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, the new Mustang II was unveiled a few months prior to the 1973 oil embargo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Motoring Memories: Ford Mustang II, 1974–1978 |first=Bill |last=Vance |url= https://www.autos.ca/motoring-memories/motoring-memories-ford-mustang-ii-1974-1978/ |website=autos.ca |date=14 July 2006 |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> Ford "decided to call it Mustang II, since it was a new type of pony car designed for an era of high gas prices and fuel shortages."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Patrick |title=1974 |url= https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/1974-1978-ford-mustang-a-horse-of-a-different-color |website=oldcarsweekly.com |date=21 December 2007 |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tate |first1=Robert |title=The Ford Mustang II for 1974-78 Was New Generation Styling |url= https://motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2020/the-ford-mustang-ii-for-1974-78-was-new-generation-styling |website=motorcities.org |date=15 July 2020 |quote=For many years, automotive historians and consumers had mixed reviews of the Mustang II, due mostly to the styling of the next generation Pony car. However, the 1974 Mustang did win Motor Trend's prestigious car of the year award. |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGuire |first1=Bill |title=Marketing the 1974 Ford Mustang II |url= https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/marketing-the-1974-ford-mustang-ii/ |website=macsmotorcitygarage.com |date=21 January 2021 |quote=For 1974, Ford product wizard Lee Iacocca punched the reset button and introduced an entirely new kind of pony car: the Mustang II. |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> To compete with these new sporty subcompacts, General Motors introduced the 1975 Chevrolet Monza and its badge-engineered variants. GM's original pony cars (the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird) were almost canceled, but remained in production.

Chrysler Corporation did not downsize its pony car models, but instead discontinued the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda after the 1974 model year. The AMC Javelin was also canceled after 1974. The 1974 Mercury Cougar—originally designed as an upscale version of the Ford Mustang—left the pony car segment, as the vehicle was upsized and marketed in the personal luxury car segment.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YccY8UlWoiUC&q=abandoned+its+pony+car+roots+it+was+heavier+with+as+much+emphasis+on+trim+and+appointments |page=297 |title=Ultimate Guide to Muscle Cars |first=Jim |last=Glastonbury |publisher=Chartwell Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7858-2009-3 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

===1976–2004: Resurgence of popularity and performance=== {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 220 | image1 = MercuryCapriRS.jpg | caption1 = 1979–1983 Mercury Capri RS | image2 = 1979 AMC Spirit GT V8 Russet FR.jpg | caption2 = 1979 AMC Spirit GT | image3 = Pontiac_Firebird_Trans_Am_1984_(11457534384).jpg | caption3 = 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am }}

The popularity of pony cars increased in the late 1970s with examples appearing in movies and TV programs like the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in ''Smokey and the Bandit'', the Pontiac Firebird in ''The Rockford Files'' and the Ford Mustang II Cobra II in ''Charlie's Angels''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.foxnews.com/auto/what-happened-to-the-bandits-pontiac-firebird-trans-am.amp |title=What Happened To The Bandit's Pontiac Firebird Trans Am?|website=foxnews.com |access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://blog.consumerguide.com/cars-rockford-files/ |title=Rockford Files Pontiac Firebird |date=21 March 2019 |website=consumerguide.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/04/09/charlies-angels-1977-ford-pinto/|title=Charlie's Angels Ford Pinto |website=journal.classiccars.com |date=10 April 2018 |access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/2016/09/record-number-of-mustang-ii-owners-celebrate-1st-ever-reunion-in.html |title=Record Number of Mustang II Owners Celebrate First Ever Reunion |website=performance.ford.com |access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The "Z28" high-performance option for the Chevrolet Camaro had been discontinued after 1974, however it was resurrected for 1977 due to the popularity of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Litwin |first=Matt |title=1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 |magazine=Muscle Machines |date=May 2010 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/1977-chevrolet-camaro-z28/ |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

The 1979 third generation Ford Mustang was redesigned using the larger Ford Fox platform. The redesigned Mustang also formed the basis of the second generation Mercury Capri, which replaced the European-built first-generation and was now available with a V8 engine.

Chrysler Corporation, beset by financial problems, did not revive the pony car, instead offering smaller coupes such as the Dodge Daytona and Chrysler Conquest (a badge-engineered Mitsubishi Starion) in this market segment.

American Motors Corporation remained absent from the pony car segment, however the 1979 AMC Spirit subcompact was marketed as a competitor to the hatchback versions of the Ford Mustang.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yIsqAQAAMAAJ&q=ads,+the+line,+"Don't+horse+around,%22+will+be+used+to+discuss+value+of+AMC's+subcompact+in+relation+to+Ford's |title=1979 financial outlook is cloudy |first=Edward |last=Lapham |magazine=Automotive News |date=1 August 1979 |via=Google Books |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> The Spirit was available with four-cylinder, six-cylinder, or V8 engines, and the model range included sporty "GT" and "AMX" models.<ref>{{cite web |title=1979 AMC Spirit Brochure |url= https://www.oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/AMC/1979_AMC/1979-Sprint-Brochure/slides/1979_Spirit-04-05.html |website=oldcarbrochures.org |publisher=American Motors Corporation |page=5 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1979 AMC Spirit Brochure |url= https://www.oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/AMC/1979_AMC/1979-Sprint-Brochure/slides/1979_Spirit-06-07.html |website=oldcarbrochures.org |publisher=American Motors Corporation |pages=6–7 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Srtohl |first=Daniel |title=Spirit AMX gave the AMC musclecar one last "decal GT" hurrah |url= https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2019/04/19/spirit-amx-gave-the-amc-musclecar-one-last-decal-gt-hurrah/ |publisher=Hemmings |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref> In 1982, the Spirit GT became America's first pony car with a 5-speed manual.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=r9j7MWLE_jMC&q=82+Spirit+GT+became+Americas+first+pony+car+available+with+5-speed&pg=PA267 |page=267 |title=Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History |first=Marc |last=Cranswick |publisher=McFarland |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-7864-4672-8 |access-date=11 October 2020}}</ref>

In the early 1980s, concerns about fuel economy prompted Ford to seriously consider replacing the Mustang with a smaller front-wheel drive model (which eventually appeared as the Ford Probe instead).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://autosofinterest.com/2012/10/20/design-notes-1988-ford-probe/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130319033953/http://autosofinterest.com/2012/10/20/design-notes-1988-ford-probe/ |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 19 March 2013 |title=Design Notes: 1989 Ford Probe|website=Autos of Interest |access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> The Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird escaped a similar fate with General Motors' front-wheel drive "GM-80" program canceled late in development.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-histories-the-gm-80-camarofirebird-f-body-almost-becomes-fwd-body/ |first=William |last=Stopford |title=The GM-80 Camaro and Firebird |website=curbsideclassic.com |date=10 April 2017 |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> Emissions and fuel economy concerns also led the 1982 Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird to be available with four-cylinder engines for the first time.

The introduction of fuel-injection on V8 engines in the mid-1980s—such as the Ford "5.0" engine (available in the 1986 Ford Mustang) and the General Motors "LB9" engine (introduced in the 1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am)—benefitted the pony cars with increased power and fuel economy. However, declining sales and the growing popularity of light trucks and sport utility vehicles ultimately led to the Firebird and Camaro being discontinued after 2002, leaving the Mustang as the only remaining American-built pony car until the 2008 Dodge Challenger was introduced.

===2005–present: Retro-style revival=== thumb|Chevrolet Camaro (6th generation) thumb|Dodge Challenger (3rd generation) thumb|Ford Mustang (6th generation)

Since the 1980s, the dilemma facing car manufacturers in offering pony cars is the lack of mass-produced automobile platforms to use as a basis for building them. Unlike the mid-1960s, the majority of modern compact cars are front-wheel drive with four- or six-cylinder engines, and engineering a dedicated rear-wheel drive performance vehicle platform specifically for a pony car is an expensive proposition.

The 2005 fifth generation Ford Mustang was the sole remaining pony car at the time of its introduction. The success of the Mustang-inspired the 2008 third generation Dodge Challenger to be introduced, followed by the 2010 fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.<ref>{{cite web |title=100,000 Camaros a year? |url= https://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/100-000-camaros-a-year/ |website=autoblog.com |date= 15 May 2006 |access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> Unlike previous pony cars, the Challenger and fifth-generation Camaro were built on the platforms from full-size cars. The Mustang and Camaro were sold in a coupe and convertible body styles, whereas the Challenger was sold only as a coupe.

The next generation of pony cars consisted of the 2015 sixth generation Ford Mustang and the 2016 sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro in 2015. The Mustang was the first pony car with independent rear suspension, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and right-hand drive required for specific export markets. The sixth-generation Camaro was downsized from a full-sized platform to a mid-sized platform more in line with its traditional size.

The first all-wheel drive pony car was the V6-powered 2017 Dodge Challenger GT.<ref>{{cite web |last=Koscs |first=Jim |date=23 June 2017 |title=Dodge Challenger GT is the latest car to make AWD history |url= https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2017/06/23/awd-history |access-date=11 October 2020 |publisher=Hagerty}}</ref>

The seventh generation Mustang debuted in 2024. The new generation is very similar to the sixth generation in size, configuration, and options, though it does contain a new trim title the "Dark Horse".<ref>{{cite web |last=Perkins |first=Chris |date=16 September 2022 |title=The 2024 Ford Mustang Is a Tribute to Internal Combustion |url= https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41200138/2024-ford-mustang-official/ |work=Road & Track |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>

The sixth-generation Camaro will be discontinued at the end of the 2024 model year. However, Chevrolet has stated, "This is not the end of Camaro's story."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.autonews.com/cars-concepts/chevy-camaro-production-end-2024|title=Chevrolet to end production of Camaro sports car in 2024|website = Automotive News|access-date=March 22, 2023|quote="Production of the Chevrolet Camaro sports car will end after the 2024 model year."}}</ref>

The current Dodge Challenger and Charger are expected to be discontinued after the 2023 model year, and replaced with a new, fully electric, retro-styled Charger Daytona, which will most likely be a 2-door coupe similar to the current Challenger.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=2024 Dodge Charger: What We Know So Far |url= https://www.caranddriver.com/dodge/charger |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=caranddriver.com}}</ref> Ford plans to debut the fully electric eighth-generation Mustang in 2028,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Ford Mustang Will Go All-Electric In 2028 |url= https://carbuzz.com/news/ford-mustang-will-go-all-electric-in-2028 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=carbuzz.com}}</ref> and GM is considering an electric Camaro coupe as well.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Peter |date=2022-12-07 |title=All-electric Chevy Camaro and Cadillac Escalade brands will be the next GM EV spinoffs |url= https://electrek.co/2022/12/07/electric-chevy-camaro-cadillac-escalade-brands-next-ev-spinoff/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=electrek.co}}</ref>

== Vehicles == {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * AMC Javelin (1968–1974) * Chevrolet Camaro (1967–2002; 2010–2023) * Dodge Challenger (1970–1974; 1978–1983; 2008–2023) * Ford Mustang (1965–present) * Mercury Capri (1979–1986) * Mercury Cougar (1967–1973) * Plymouth Barracuda (1964–1974) * Pontiac Firebird (1967–2002) {{div col end}}

== Motor racing == There was much competition among the performance versions of the early pony cars, resulting in racing on the street, drag strip, and professional race circuits.

This grew so fierce between manufacturers that Trans-Am Series racing was formed and hotly contested from 1966 to 1972, described as a battle in "The Pony Car Wars".<ref name=pcw/>

The 2000s pony car revival also saw a renewed focus on motor racing, beginning with the NASCAR Xfinity Series (then called the "Nationwide Series") in 2010, where the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang silhouette racing cars were introduced.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://autoweek.com/article/nascar/nascar-pony-car-showdown-set-daytona |first=Al |last=Pearce |title=NASCAR: Pony-car showdown set for Daytona |website=autoweek.com |date=2010-06-30 |access-date=2016-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2010-06-30-nationwide-new-mustang_N.htm |first=Nate |last=Ryan |title=Mustang more than a one-trick pony with Nationwide model |publisher=USA Today |date=2010-07-01 |access-date=2016-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/nns-nascar-nationwide-series-cars-ready-for-daytona-international-speedway/ |first=Tom |last=Jensen |title=NNS: Pony Cars Welcomed, The Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are ready to race... |website=Nascar.speedtv.com |date=2010-06-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130602192621/http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/nns-nascar-nationwide-series-cars-ready-for-daytona-international-speedway/ |archive-date=2013-06-02 |access-date=2016-01-23}}</ref> Modern pony cars have also competed in the Rolex Sports Car Series, SCCA World Challenge, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge. The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro have been homologated for Group GT3 racing, and the Ford Mustang was homologated in 2017 for SRO GT4 racing. Pony cars like the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro are still used today in the NASCAR Pinty's Series.

== See also == * Coupé * Muscle car * Sports compact

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == * {{Commons-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pony Car}} Category:Car classifications Category:Sports cars