Rumors about a 50th anniversary 2015 Ford Mustang coming to the New York Auto Show->ke226 have been flying around for quite some time now, but the Blue Oval manufacturer remaining hush on the matter. Now the 50th anniversary edition Mustang->ke428 became reality, as Ford->ke31 took the wraps off the 2015 Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition ahead of the aforementioned event.

Based on the brand-new 2015 Mustang GT that was unveiled last December around the world, the special edition 50 Year model will see only 1,964 examples -- obviously a reference to the Mustang's first year on the market -- and fitted with numerous unique features inside and out.

Production of the 50 Year Limited Edition car will begin in mid-August, and although Ford has yet to announce when customers will be able to order one, we suggest you have them checks ready next month.

But before you start making any plans, let's have a closer look at the anniversary Mustang and see what it has to offer compared to the regular pony.

Updated 09/29/2014: The final production unit of the 50 Year Limited Edition Ford Mustang was auctioned during this weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas for a whopping $170,000. All the proceeds will go to Get Your Heart Racing, a fundraising event supporting Henry Ford Health System’s Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition.

2015 Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 310
  • Torque: 320
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The redesigned 2015 Mustang has plenty of styling details that remind us of the the first-gen pony, such as the Coke bottle shape, the 1968 model year-inspired front fascia with gills flanking the grille and the iconic dual-bubble roof. The 50 Year Limited Edition takes a deeper dive into the mid-1960s, with even more classic touches to be found on its outer shell.

Up front, the most noticeable feature is the chrome ornament that comes to add a new look to the Mustang's modern grille, while the rear end gained discreet chrome highlights around the signature tri-bar taillights. We're already familiar with the first element from the original Mustang, but, according to Ford, the latter detail is taken from the initial 1962 design proposal for the first-gen pony.

Apart from these minor, yet effective tweaks, the Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition was also fitted with unique louvers on the quarter windows. Mounted to pay tribute to the 1965 fastback model, the louvers were specifically developed for this car and comprises layered sheets of glass. Additionally, a set of unique, 19-inch, Y-spoke design chrome wheels will wears 225/40R tires up front and 275/40R rubber to the rear.

Lastly, the limited-edition 2015 Mustang will be offered in two exclusive exterior colors that won't be available on the regular model. As you might have already guessed, one of them is Wimbledon White, the same hue the very first 1964 Mustang was finished in. The second choice is Kona Blue, a shade that was offered on fifth-generation muscle car->ke507 in the past.

Interior

As with most limited-edition models, the 50th anniversary model will get a serialized plate on the passenger side of the dashboard, which will be individually etched and numbered at Flat Rock Assembly Plant. But the uniqueness of the Mustang 50 Year's interior doesn't stop here, as an axle spin finish for the instrument panel's aluminum trim is also in stock.

Additionally, the leather-wrapped steering will benefit from cashmere stitching, while the two-tone seats will sport cashmere and black leather upholstery, as well as Mustang 50 Year logos. The exclusive cashmere stitching will also adorn the instrument panel, the door panels, the center armrest and even the loop-carpet floor mats.

Just like the standard Mustang GT, the 50 Year Limited Edition will be equipped with Ford's latest features in terms of technology, which includes Intelligent Access, SYNC, MyFord Touch, Track Apps, Blind Spot and a Shaker Pro sound system.

Drivetrain

The 50 Year Limited Edition package can be added to either the GT Premium trim or the EcoBoost Premium trim. When based on the range-topping Mustang GT Premium, the 50 Year Limited Edition carries the familiar 5.0-liter, Coyote V-8 engine under the hood. This injects 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque into this special Stang.

In its EcoBoost guise, the Mustang has 310 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.

However, Ford stresses that the special edition model will be fitted with the Mustang GT Performance Pack that comes with six-piston Brembo brakes and Y-speed-rated Pirelli P-Zero tires.

Transmission options will include both the six-speed manual and the six-speed automatic. When equipped with the former, the vehicle will get a Torsen differential with a 3.73-to-1 final-drive ratio, while the latter will gain a limited-slip rear differential with a 3.55-to-1 ratio. Another interesting fact is that the Mustang 50 Year will be the only 2015 model available with the Performance Pack and the automatic gearbox at the same time.

Trim

GT Premium

EcoBoost Premium

Type

5.0-liter V8 engine

2.3-Liter I4 Turbocharged Engine

Horsepower

435 @ 6500 RPM

310 @ 5500

Torque

400 @ 4250 RPM

320 @ 2500-4500 RPM


Prices

The 50 Year Limited Edition package adds $1,595 to the base price of either the Mustang GT Premium or the Mustang EcoBoost Premium. In its EcoBoost Premium setup, this starts the model out at $31,590 with a manual transmission and $32,785 with the auto transmission. The GT Premium with the 50 Year Limited Edition package runs $38,520 with the six-speed manual and $39,715 with the auto transmission.

The final unit to roll off of production hit the auction and sold for $170,000.

Pricing Details

Trim

Trim

Transmission

MSRP

6-Speed Manual

$31,590

MSRP

6-Speed Auto

$32,785

2015 Mustang EcoBoost Premium

6-Speed Manual

$38,520

2015 Mustang EcoBoost Premium

6-Speed Auto

$39,715


Competition

Chevrolet Camaro

Just like the 2015 Mustang, the current-generation Camaro comes with a V-6 powerplant in entry-level guise. However, since the 50th anniversary Mustang is V-8-exclusive, we're going apples for apples and comparing it against a similarly-equipped Camaro. To do this, we have to take a look at the SS.

The said model is powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 mill that delivers 426 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. The oomph propels the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds, while top speed sits at 155 mph.

While performance figures are rather similar, the current Chevy Camaro->ke248 is lagging behind the Mustang in two important aspects. Firstly, Ford's pony is coming to war with a completely new design, while its GM rival has received a facelift for the 2014 model year, with a brand-new model not expected until 2016.

Secondly, the Mustang's redesigned chassis and suspension will enable the Ford-built pony to deliver better performance and handling without a huge power bump. Chevy->ke199 has a lot of catching up to do, although we know this won't make a difference to Camaro gearheads.

Comparing prices is out of hand right now, as Ford has yet to divulge a sticker for the new 'Stang, but it's pretty safe to assume the GT model won't go past the $34,000 mark. On the other hand, the V-8 Camaro starts at $33,335 in 2014 and we don't think that will change much next year.

Dodge Challenger

Dodge->ke28 is getting ready to unveil the 2015 Challenger at the New York Auto Show as we speak. The current-generation model is receiving its very first facelift and details are rather scarce right now. Design-wise, what matters the most is that the Challenger is only getting a refresh, with a completely new version still at least a couple of years away.

Of course, this doesn't mean the Challenger->ke249 won't retain it's market share, but it's more than obvious that it will remain America's third choice as far as muscle cars are concerned.

The facelift will also bring a slight power update, which means the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s (again, we're skipping the base V-6) will deliver more horses until a new generation of engines comes out. The 2015 Challenger is bound to get a supercharged 6.4-liter "Hellcat" mill too, but that will go against the Camaro ZL1 and Ford's upcoming GT500 successor.

The base V-8 model in the 2014 Challenger lineup, the R/T, fetches at least $30,495 and comes with 372 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque on tap.

Conclusion

There's nothing like a limited edition model to launch a brand new Mustang and celebrate half a decade on the muscle car market. Although it doesn't pack anything out of the ordinary under the hood, the Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition has enough unique features to make it sell like hot cakes.