Ford Introduces Classic Instrument Upgrade for New Mustang Owners
In a nod to nostalgia and celebration of the iconic car’s 60th anniversary, Ford has announced a special upgrade option for new Mustang owners in the United States. Owners of the latest Ford Mustang model will now have the option to download an over-the-air (OTA) update that transforms their digital instruments to resemble the dials on the first-generation 1965 Ford Mustang. This update brings a retro-style speedometer and tachometer with classic numbering to any new generation Mustang.
The downloadable update is currently available through Ford dealers in North America, with availability beginning on April 17, coinciding with the Mustang’s 60th anniversary. While the update is currently only accessible to Mustang owners in the US, Ford Australia has hinted at the possibility of a similar offer being available locally. A spokesperson for the automaker stated that more information on the availability of gauge cluster options in Australia will be shared closer to the Australian release date.
The new Mustang model is set to arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2024, following a series of production delays. Production of the Australian-bound Mustang is expected to commence in August. In the United States, owners of the latest Mustang also have the option to customize their instruments to resemble those of a 1980s ‘Foxbody’ Mustang.
The introduction of the instrument update comes as Ford celebrates a milestone for its iconic sports car, marking the 60th anniversary of the Mustang. Along with the instrument upgrade, Ford has unveiled a special 60th Anniversary package for the Mustang in the US. The package is available for V8-powered GT Premium models and includes unique 20-inch alloy wheels, retro-style brake calipers, and distinctive graphics. The color palette for the 60th Anniversary Mustang features classic exterior paint options such as Wimbledon White, Race Red, and Vapor Blue.
Unfortunately, the limited edition 60th Anniversary Mustangs, of which only 1,965 individually numbered examples are being produced, will not be available for sale in Australia. The history of the Mustang in Australia dates back to the 1960s when a batch of approximately 160 to 200 Mustangs were initially offered. The Mustang returned to Australian showrooms in 2001 with coupes and convertibles converted to right-hand drive by Ford Falcon tuner Tickford in Melbourne. After the production of Tickford-modified Mustangs ended in the early 2000s, Australia had to wait until 2015 to receive the first factory right-hand drive Mustang with the arrival of the S550 model.
Despite the twists and turns in its availability in Australia, the Mustang has enjoyed a strong presence in the local sports car market. Since 2016, the Mustang has consistently held the title of Australia’s best-selling sports car, until 2023 when stock shortages during the transition from old to new models allowed the Subaru BRZ to claim the annual number one spot.
As Ford continues to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mustang with special upgrades and packages, fans and enthusiasts in Australia eagerly await the possibility of classic instrument options becoming available locally. Stay tuned for more updates on Ford’s anniversary celebrations and the availability of special features for Australian Mustang owners.
The article “Ford Introduces Classic Instrument Upgrade for New Mustang Owners” originally appeared on Drive.
