Back in 1994 Ford Motor company released "How A Mustang Is Made" as a VHS video tape (remember those big bulky things and the smaller not so popular Betamax). Anyway this was a new concept for the time, a detailed video that followed the production of the all new SN95 Ford Mustang assembly exciting to watch but grainy and not great commentary.
Back then this was the first time we had seen such an extensive factory build of a Ford Mustang, it covered all the production aspects including stamping out the body panels from rolls of steel, spot welding them together by hand mostly as only a few robots were starting to make their way into the factory. Next the body panels are primed, painted and assembled along with the final engine, chassis, suspension and interior as the car moves down the assembly line and takes shape as a production Mustang as it moves toward final inspection, dyno test drive and being driven off the line ready for delivery to the dealerships.
Well if you never saw this great video, now’s your chance to see it all over again but this time it is the latest and greatest S197 Mustang platform. The National Geographic Channel recently chose the Mustang for its UK Mega factories television series, highlighting the production of America’s favorite pony car at Ford’s facility in Flat Rock,Michigan. This YouTube video is the full 45 minute episode that is so worth a watch if you own a Mustang and want to see how this awesome car is born.
This video follows how a Mustang is built from the initial stamping where 20 ton steel coils are pressed into the Mustang’s body panels by massive steel presses, to the body shop where over 300 robots make nearly 3,000 welds, then its on to the paint shop and then final assembly of the suspension, chassis, engine transmission and interior. This Nat Geo episode even provides an inside look at Ford’s private proving grounds in thedesertofArizonafor some spirited driving and real world testing.
By watching the video you’ll also learn some interesting facts about Mustang production. For example, did you know there are 4,000 individual part numbers for the car? Or that nearly 700 Mustangs are built every day?
Start watching this great show by simply hitting the You Tube Video below.
