Pony car is an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupés or convertibles with a "sporty" or performance-oriented image.[1][2] Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive, a long hood, a short decklid, a wide range of options to individualize each car and use of mass-produced parts shared with other models. The popularity of pony cars is largely due to the launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964.[3][4][5][6]
There is much debate among enthusiasts about the exact definition of a pony car, and what differentiates the vehicle from a muscle car. The general consensus is that pony cars are smaller and more refined than muscle cars. A few intermediate-size vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger, may be considered to belong to both categories.[7]
In 2024, the Ford Mustang became the last remaining pony car still in production. The Challenger and the Camaro ended production in 2023; though the Camaro's final model year is 2024.
- ^ Borroz, Tony (17 April 2009). "April 17, 1964: Ford Mustang Starts Galloping". Wired. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ Squatriglia, Chuk (17 April 2009). "Mustang, the Ultimate Pony Car, Turns 45". Wired. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ Mitchell, Larry G. (2000). AMC Muscle Cars. MotorBooks/MBI. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7603-0761-8. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ Grist, Peter (2009). Dodge Challenger Plymouth Barracuda: Chrysler's Potent Pony Cars. Veloce. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-84584-105-8. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ Linden, Steve (2008). Car Collecting. Motorbooks. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7603-2809-5. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
Mustangs are part of a group of cars called "pony cars"—a term that originated with the Mustang
- ^ Witzenburg, Gary L. (1979). Mustang ! The Complete History of America's Pioneer Ponycar. Automobile Quarterly. ISBN 978-0-525-16175-2.
- ^ Robinson, Matt (2017). "What's The Difference Between A Muscle Car And A Pony Car?". carthrottle.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.