Taming the Stallion: Giugiaro's Italian Touch on the Ford Mustang

Lost GEMS - Undoubtedly, Giorgetto Giugiaro, the legendary Italian designer, boasts an impressive portfolio, having crafted numerous car models for a diverse range of brands including Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Fiat, Hyundai, Lotus, and Volkswagen. Before establishing his own firm, Giugiaro garnered experience at renowned names like Fiat, Bertone, and later, Ghia.

The Ford Mustang built by Carrozzeria Bertone in 1965 based on the design of Giorgetto Giugiaro. (Picture from: Pedal2TheMetal)

Interestingly, within his extensive portfolio, one notable connection stands out – his involvement with the iconic American muscle car, the Ford Mustang. Giugiaro's link to the Mustang's design traces back to 1965 during his tenure at Carrozzeria Bertone. This collaboration resulted in a significant milestone: the Mustang becoming the first European-designed car to debut internationally in America after World War II, and the initial Mustang to showcase Italian styling.

The Ford Mustang was commissioned by L. Scott Bailey, founder and editor of Automobile Quarterly, in response to criticisms directed at the newly launched Ford Mustang by the European press. (Picture from: Pedal2TheMetal)

This venture was commissioned by L. Scott Bailey, founder and editor of Automobile Quarterly, in response to criticisms directed at the newly launched Ford Mustang by the European press. The base was a 1965 red 2+2 Mustang fastback s/n #5F09K275716 fresh from the American factory (like one in the video below), serving as a canvas for Giugiaro's creative touch. Equipped with a 289 V8, a four-speed manual transmission, white wall tires, and wire hubcaps, it provided the foundation for transformation.

Under Giugiaro's craftsmanship, the car underwent a metamorphosis, featuring a sleeker, more aerodynamic front end with louvered headlamps and a glass housing adorned with slender window pillars. The distinct addition of two small, operable rear side windows was introduced – an innovation unparalleled in Mustang history. A remarkable departure from the stock design, the sail panel and rear window took on a curvaceous, single-piece glass contour.

Under Giugiaro's craftsmanship, the car underwent a metamorphosis, featuring a sleeker, more aerodynamic front end with louvered headlamps and a glass housing adorned with slender window pillars. (Picture from: YahooNews)

Moreover, Giugiaro's ingenuity extended to the interior, where supple Italian caramel-colored leather materialized as the central theme. While preserving the original shifter, the design introduced an intriguing twist – relocating two of the factory Rally Pac elements, the clock and tachometer, from the conventional steering column mount to integrated instrumentation within the console's central stack.

Giugiaro's ingenuity extended to the interior, where supple Italian caramel-colored leather materialized as the central theme. (Picture from: Pedal2TheMetal)

Simultaneously, the factory wheels and hubcaps yielded their spots to 14-inch Campagnolo wheels, expertly designed by Bertone and composed of lightweight electron magnesium alloy. The exterior received a coating of refined metallic silvery blue/green, harmonizing effortlessly with the newly sculpted curves.

The exterior of Ford Mustang by Bertone received a coating of refined metallic silvery blue/green, harmonizing effortlessly with the newly sculpted curves. (Picture from: MacsMotorCityGarage)

Upon completion, the Bertone Mustang by Giorgetto Giugiaro debuted at the 1965 New York Auto Show, captivating attendees to the extent that it earned the prestigious Best of Show accolade. Shortly thereafter, this masterpiece graced the market with a price tag of $10,000, directly from Bertone's stable.

The Ford Mustang featured with 14-inch Campagnolo wheels, expertly designed by Bertone and composed of lightweight electron magnesium alloy. (Picture from: MacsMotorCityGarage)

Regrettably, despite its remarkable lineage and cultural significance, the trail of the Bertone Mustang's subsequent journey goes cold. Following the liquidation of the carrozzeria in 2014, the car seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving the automotive community puzzled and yearning for its rediscovery.

Ad showing when this Ford Mustang masterpiece went on sale with a $10,000 price tag shortly after the end of the 1965 New York Auto Show, straight from the Bertone stable. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

In the annals of automotive history, Giorgetto Giugiaro's collaboration with the Ford Mustang transcends mere design – it represents a meeting of minds that birthed a unique masterpiece, encapsulating innovation and style. Although the whereabouts of the Bertone Mustang remain a mystery, its legacy endures as a testament to Giugiaro's extraordinary creative vision and the enduring allure of automotive artistry. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PEDAL2THEMETAL | FORMTRENDS | CARDESIGNNEWS | YAHOONEWS | ROADANDTRACK | MACSMOTORCITYGARAGE ]

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