Can You Guess the Mustang Year from an Image?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Guess the Mustang Year from an Image?
Image: WikiCommons via Alexandre Prévot

About This Quiz

The original 'Pony car,' the legendary Ford Mustang has been going strong for more than half a century. Can you guess the model year when you see one? Good luck!

Mustangs are considered by many to be the most iconic American cars around. That's not saying that Dodge, Pontiac, Chevrolet or Plymouth haven't produced some incredible cars in the category. It's just that when people say 'Pony car' (and sometimes even 'muscle car'), the first image that springs to mind is that of the 'Stang.

Today, the motoring (and the motorhead) public appears to love the Mustang just as much as when it was first introduced, with the 1965 model smashing sales figures well beyond Ford's wildest expectations. In fact, the demand was so high that Ford struggled to keep up.

Even though the Mustang started life on the front foot (or is that the front wheel?), it's not all been roses for the legendary car. The second generation was not as well liked as the first, simply as it was underpowered. Technically, this was not Ford's fault, the second generation just came along at the wrong time - the oil crisis in the Middle East was on in full swing. That means that gas-loving V8 monsters were put aside for more fuel-efficient models.

So now the question is, could you identify the year of a Mustang model by simply looking at an image of it?  Let's test your knowledge of a quintessential American muscle car!

1965 Ford Mustang
Kroelleboelle via Wiki Commons
Let's begin: This Pony car is from which year in Mustang history?
1965
1953
1985
1975
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arguably the most iconic muscle car ever, the Mustang was first released in 1965. It proved to be one of the most popular debuts ever and within a year, 400,000 units had been sold, which quadrupled Ford’s sale estimates.

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1968 Ford Mustang Challenger Special
erclassicsholland
The Challenger Special Mustang was only released in Mississippi. What year was it first available?
1976
1968
1991
1989
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mustang Challenger Special was only available to Ford dealers in Mississippi. It aimed to allow owners to get more power out of their 'Stangs for an affordable price.

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1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
WikiCommons via Sicnag
This Mustang, commonly called the 'Boss 9' was released in what year?
1991
1962
1969
2002
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Mustang Boss 429 was a high-performance version of the vehicle, released in 1969 and built through 1970. It is commonly called the 'Boss 9.'

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1970 Mustang Mach 1
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
This Ford Mustang Mach 1 was produced in which year...?
2000
1993
1970
1965
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1970, the Mach 1 was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine which produced just over 300 brake horsepower.

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1982 Ford Mustang SSP
MustangConnection1
A Ford Mustang police car, when did the SSP model first enter service?
2013
1982
2005
1970
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bee baaw! Bee Baaw! The Ford Mustang SSP was actually designed for use by police departments around the United States. It first entered service in 1982.

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1973 Ford Mustang
Wiki Commons by John Filiss
This car was produced in the last year of the first generation of Mustangs. Do you know when that was?
1965
2000
1973
1959
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 1973 was the last year Ford created their high luxury and power Mustangs. The oil crisis forced Ford to produce cars that were built for the current market.

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1984 Ford Mustang SVO
WikiCommons
The SVO, a 3-door liftback Mustang model was released in what year?
2002
2017
1984
1971
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mustang SVO was produced between 1984 and 1986. This 3-door liftback was powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine.

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1966 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
WikiCommons via Sicnag
The first Mustang with fastback styling, the GT, was released in what year?
1966
1981
1990
1951
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A real beauty, this was one of the first Mustangs to include fastback styling.

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1968 Ford Mustang GT California Special
WikiCommons via sv1ambo
This Mustang was only marketed in California. Can you tell the model year?
2001
1997
1985
1968
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A limited-edition Mustang, the GT California Special saw 4,118 units released and marketed in California only.

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2011 Ford Mustang RTR
Sickrides
This sporty RTR Mustang came with many dealer extras. Do you know when it was made?
1983
1977
1992
2011
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

First marketed in 2011, the RTR Mustang is a special vehicle with a range of dealer added items, including tires, stickers, mats, shifter knob and many others.

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1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500 Fastback
WikiCommons via Sicnag
The first Shelby Mustang, this GT-500, was released in....?
1993
1970
1980
1967
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Powered by a 7.0-liter engine, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500 Fastback produced 355 brake horsepower along with 420 lb-ft of torque. Who wouldn't want one of these?

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1980 Ford Mustang McLaren M81
Auto Video
When was the super rare Mustang McLaren L81 first released?
2001
1980
1965
2017
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Often called the rarest Mustang ever made, the McLaren M81 was the first car released under Ford's Special Vehicle Operations.

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1965 Ford Mustang
Wiki Commons by GPS 56
Which year was this hardtop Mustang released?
1980
1976
1970
1965
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A select few Mustangs from 1966 were released 6 months before Ford's usual release date, as part of a successful marketing scheme.

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1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1 concept
Car Videos
This futuristic Mach 1 concept car is older than it seems. What year was it designed?
1966
1999
1975
2007
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another Mustang experiment, many of these Mach I design concepts were used in the Mach models available to the public starting in the late '60s and early '70s, in addition to many other Mustang models for years to come.

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2010 Mustang SR-71
Wiki Commons by Rennett Stowe
A special edition Mustang, sold at auction for charity, do you know which year the SR-71 Mustang was released?
2010
1966
1999
1980
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This special edition Mustang, of which only one was built is based on a Mustang GT. It was modified and sold at auction to raise funds for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh youth education program and was styled to look like an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft.

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2004 Ford Mustang 40th Anniversary
WikiCommons via Alp1075
In what year was the Ford Mustang 40th Anniversary model released?
1972
2018
2004
1969
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 2004 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first-ever Mustang model made available to the public, the 40th Anniversary edition had certain visual cues and parts setting it apart from other models.

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1962 Ford Mustang 1 concept
WikiCommons via Joe Ross
This is a tricky one: It was actually the first Mustang model to bear the name, but only one was ever made. Can you guess the year?
1955
1966
1968
1962
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Looking nothing like the first-ever Mustang model, the Mustang 1 concept car was first devised in 1962.

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2015 Warrior Mustang
Kelley Blue Book
This Mustang Warrior model is only for U.S. armed forces personnel. Which year did it start production?
2015
1969
1977
1984
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tuned up by Roush, the Warrior Mustang is only for sale to U.S. Armed Forces personnel.

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2005 Giugiaro Ford Mustang
WikiCommons
A Mustang with some Italian flair, this Giugiaro Ford Model is from what year?
1977
1999
1984
2005
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A concept car designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro, this model is based on the fifth generation Mustang. It debuted at the 2005 LA Motor Show.

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2015 Ford Mustang
WikiCommons via Sicnag
This year saw the release of the sixth generation Ford Mustang. Can you guess when it was?
1987
1977
2015
1991
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2015, Ford released the sixth generation of the Mustang with a more modern look. And it sure is beautiful.

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2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
WikiCommons via Jiří Sedláček
Do you know the year that Ford released the Mustang Shelby GT350R?
2000
2018
1996
1981
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Got $60,000 lying around? Then you can own a modern Shelby Mustang. This Mustang is powered by a 5.2-liter V8 Ford engine that propels it to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.

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2012 Ford Mustang Boss 30
WikiCommons
Any idea when the Mustang Boss 302 was released by Ford?
1981
1990
2000
2012
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only brought back for two modern models in 2012 and 2013, the Boss not only was straight in a fast line but could handle the corners as well, something for which muscle cars were not known.

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2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra
WikiCommons via Sunstarfire
A Mustang with a little more oomph. When was the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra first marketed?
1969
2000
1977
1989
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mustang SVT Cobra, released in 2000, had a 4.6-liter V8 that produced 320 horsepower.

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1987 Ford Mustang
WikiCommons
This Mustang model, a refresh of the third generation, is from what year?
1965
1987
1950
2000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mustang received a style refresh in 1987 and retained both coupe and fastback versions.

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1999 Ford Mustang FR 500 concept
Hammy Moto
This one's a little tricky: This concept Mustang was first seen in ______?
1982
2012
1988
1999
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Mustang FR 500 concept was first released in 1999. With a top speed of 281 mph, it led to a full-blown racing model.

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1976 Ford Mustang II Cobra II
WikiCommons via NRMA Motoring and Services
The Mustang in this image was introduced in ______?
1988
1976
2001
1996
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cobra II model of the second generation Mustang introduced a number of bigger engine options, so missing from that generation. These included V6s and V8s.

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1985 Ford Mustang
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Which year was this GT Ford hatchback released?
1965
1971
2011
1985
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some might wish that Ford had discontinued the Mustang instead of producing these decidedly chunky, '80s-looking models during the third generation. After one more year, Ford abandoned the quad headlights.

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1983 Ford Mustang
Wiki Commons by Mega1437
What about the year on this one?
1990
1983
1988
1975
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Were you paying attention to the clue about quad headlights in the last question? If so, congrats — you probably got this right!

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2011 Ford Mustang GT
WikiCommons via GPS 56
The V8 engine in the Mustang GT was phenomenal. When did Ford first market the model in the image?
2011
1997
1989
1977
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a big 5.0-liter V8, 2011's GT produced 412 brake horsepower.

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1995 Ford Mustang
Wiki Commons by Truckfan 1990
Which year was this fourth-generation Mustang released?
1995
2015
1973
1981
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fourth-generation Mustangs had a major redesign. It was the first one in 15 years and introduced in 1994.

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2008 Ford Mustang AV8R
WikiCommons
A once-off Mustang, the AV8R was sold at auction in ____, the same year it was produced.
2008
1990
1975
1967
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The AV8R, a special edition Mustang, of which only one was built is based on a 2009 Mustang GT. It was modified and sold at auction to raise funds for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh youth education program.

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1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The Mustang in this image was released in ____?
1988
1980
1969
2000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fresh, new style greeted Mustang lovers in 1969 with the release of the Mustang Boss 302.

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2005 Ford Mustang Shelby GR-1
BestCarPhotos
With power from a 6.4-liter V10 motor, when was this concept car, the Mustang Shelby GR-1, first shown by Ford?
2017
2005
1986
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This concept car was shown to the public at the North American International Auto Show in 2005. The Shelby GR-1 is powered by a 6.4-liter V10 motor.

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1965 Ford T-5
WikiCommons via Jeremy
This rare Mustang was only available for servicemen in Germany and was called the T-5. In which year was it released?
2017
1965
1979
2000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This 1965 Mustang, the T-5, was produced in the United States and put on sale in Germany specifically for U.S. servicemen. The Mustang name could not be used as this already belonged to a truck model in the country.

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1997 Ford Mustang
WikiCommons via Sicnag
When was the third generation of the Mustang released?
1965
2007
1997
1999
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It didn't take long for Ford to release the third generation but this time, the car was smaller while staying with a coupe-based shape.

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1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
WikiCommons via Sicnag
Do you know what year this Mustang was first marketed?
1965
1976
1981
1991
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With Carroll Shelby on board, this Mustang model, the GT350, was released in 1965 and featured a number of performance mods and a tuned-up engine.

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1962 Ford Mustang Avanti fastback concept
Ford Europe
We saved the best for last: Another concept Mustang that never quite came to fruition, this Ford Mustang Avanti fastback dates to _______?
1962
1999
2000
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the concept designs used by Ford even before the original Mustang was released, the Avanti fell by the wayside.

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2009 AV-X10 Dearborn Doll
officialrallyHD
A one-off Mustang, the AV-X10 was sold at auction in ____.
1960
2009
1995
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This special edition Mustang, of which only one was built, is based on a Mustang GT. It was modified and sold at auction to raise funds for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh youth education program. It is modeled on the North American P-51 Mustang, a fighter from World War II

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1974 Ford Mustang II Second generation
Ford Performance
Do you know when this second-generation Mustang was released?
1989
1994
1974
2000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first of the second generation of Mustangs, this vehicle came out in 1974.

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2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt
Kelley Blue Book
Can you tell us what year this Mustang is from?
2019
2000
1999
1979
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A 50th anniversary celebration of the film, "Bullitt," sees Ford release the 2019 Mustang Bullitt. It is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 480 brake horsepower and is available only in black or highland green (like the original car).

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You Got:
/40
WikiCommons via Alexandre Prévot