Ford starts countdown to Mustang's 50th anniversary

As the Mustang, one of the most popular and iconic cars in US motoring history, approaches its half century milestone, Ford is launching an online video series that celebrates the car's impact, offers a glimpse into its history and examines its enduring appeal around the globe.

The dedicated YouTube channel, officially launched this week, already features seven Mustang-focused films examining the car's origins, its fans and its influence in modern culture. The most recent of which, 'RC Movie Magic: Filming a Chase' shows that even without a huge budget, access to CGI or the world's leading stunt men, a bit of imagination and a couple of radio-controlled Mustang toy cars is all you need to beat Hollywood at its own game. Ford has promised regular updates and new videos in the run-up to the car's official birthday -- April 17, 2014 when it will turn 50 years old.

'Fans around the world share a passion for Mustang that embodies the freedom of the open road and the spirit of performance driving,' said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. 'The 'Mustang Countdown' series is another way in which Ford is honoring that heritage with numerous celebrations over the next year.'

The car has chalked up over 9.2 million sales since its launch in 1964 and although it will have some way to go in order to challenge the sales records set by the VW Beetle's all-time record of 21.5 million and counting, the Mustang is 26 years younger and for most of its life was available only in the US.

Yet despite being on sale in a single country, Ford really captured the public's imagination, and its wallets when the car was first unveiled and managed to sell over 1 million in the first year (ten times its initial first-year estimates) making it to this day the fastest selling car in history.

And at over 3000 screen appearances and counting, it is one of cinema's most popular cars, playing pivotal roles in everything from 1960s classics 'Bullitt' and 'Goldfinger' to 'Dirty Mary Crazy Larry' (1974), 'U-Turn' (1997), 'Vanilla Sky' (2001) and this year's 'Getaway,' staring Ethan Hawke.

The Mustang Countdown on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh_g4AJrndncJto0t1Tu4TiFKY5rXJsZS

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