The Ford Mustero: The Rare First-Generation Mustang “Pickup”

Ford never produced a pickup truck version of the Ford Mustang from the factory. However, in the 1960s, a Beverly Hills, California, customization shop called US West Coast Customs built a limited number of pickup trucks based on the first-generation Mustang, which they called the Ford Mustero.

The Ford Mustero was based on the 1966 Ford Mustang fastback. These models were equipped with one of two engines: a 3.2-liter Thriftpower inline-six or a 4.7-liter Windsor V8, both producing roughly 200 hp.

Mechanically, the Mustero was identical to the 1966 Mustang. The most significant difference was that the rear half of its physique was chopped off and reimagined into a cargo bed. The pillars were moved forward, slightly reducing the cabin and converting the rest of the rear into the cargo bed. At a glance, the Ford Mustang’s roofline appeared undisturbed.

A Sales Flop That is Now a Legend

The Mustero did not inspire enough fervor in the audience to warrant a sequel. The flop is attributed to several factors:

1. High Price Tag: US West Coast Customs demanded roughly $6,500 USD for the conversion, on top of the cost of a donor car. This raised the price to a range similar to that of a brand-new Ford Mustang Shelby 350GT at the time.
2. Existing Competition: When the Mustero was created, Ford already had the Ford Fairlane Ranchero in production. This model offered more power in a larger vehicle. Customers could also opt for the iconic car-truck Chevrolet El Camino.

Unlike many muscle cars that flopped when they debuted but are a fortune today, the value of the Mustero has not increased in the same way.

Other Experiments with the Mustang

Other companies also experimented with the first-generation Mustang. A British company, Harry Ferguson Research, converted three hardtop coupes into all-wheel-drive (AWD) stallions using the AWD system they developed. This system would eventually underpin the Jensen FF, the first non-all-terrain passenger car with AWD.