Why is the Mustang so much more universally loved than the Camaro or even the base-level Challenger?

[InsecureLivesMatter]

Why is the Camaro V8 engine called a Corvette engine? Why is the Mustang V8 engine called a Mustang engine? Even though the Mustang is an entirely different car from the Corvette?

In theory, a modern-day Thunderbird would be a more luxurious front-engine take on the C8 Corvette (and no, that mid-engine Le Mans-inspired GT thing doesn't count).

But Ford doesn't market cars in the US or Canada. Not even sports cars. All they have is the Mustang. And the Mustang is a pony car.

But here's the thing, Camaro (and Firebird) came out YEARS after Mustang. But after like 1997, they've never been a true hit in the sports car crowd (besides the specialty versions like ZL1, 1LE, and LS7 Z28 of course).

Mustangs have been specially modified by aftermarket brands while retaining their OEM status. Especially after 2015, the top-performance versions of the Mustang have become significantly more expensive than those of the Camaro.

I've heard artists talk about Mustangs and Corvettes alike in their songs, but never Camaros. Why is that?

As far as the Challenger and Charger, I only occasionally hear about the Scat Pack and Hellcat, but not so much the R/T or V6.

[WindAtMyBack]

It's about marketing and changes in people's opinions. It also has to do with what other cars fit a particular demographic. Every manufacturer will target all the major demographics, but they don't always try to go head to head as direct competitors. They may try to find their own niche within a larger demographic.

As for Mustang vs Camaro: During the muscle car era, I think Camaro was probably far more popular than the Mustang. The popularity of the Mustang was not as a muscle car. The Mustang was marketed as a very cheap entry level car for young first time car buyer. If I remember right, they sold for around $2400. Also if I remember right, the television ads for Mustang even gave the price, which was not usually the case.

The Mustang was marketed as low cost transportation. However, since the target demographic was young people with little money, they also styled the car with that in mind. Initially it was absolutely NOT a muscle car and was not a competitor with Camaro, GTO (Tempest), 442 (Cutlass) etc.

Then there was MOPAR, which many people considered to be the best muscle cars. Today they use the reputation of the old Hemi engine as a marketing tool. Obviously it's not the same engine today. There is also nothing special about a hemi (lower case h) engine. They could have used some other head design, one which was probably better. But they made a hemispherical head just for marketing purposes.

One thing to consider, is that in those days cars came with FAR more options than they do today. Car makers and dealers offered a very wide variety of engines, including engines that really should not have gone in a particular car. You could get engines that were over or under powered, or were too heavy or too light. Today there might only be 1-3 engines available. In the past there might have been a dozen or more, with some being much better than others.

As a result, some cars that were not intended to be muscle cars, like the Mustang, ended up being muscle cars anyway just because people bought them with big engines. Once the public showed that kind of interest, the manufacturers started specifically building cars that way. In some cases they came out under a new name, like the Mach 1 (Mustang).

Also don't forget the Mercury Cougar, which was the Mercury twin of the Mustang. Personally I'd rather have the Cougar because I liked the ride and handling better. My girlfriend used to have a Cougar XR-7 and I loved that car.

[Dargil]

The Mustang was the trailblazer in that niche. Like the Corvette and Harley Davidson, its legacy sells it. The Camaro replaced the ill-fated Corvair. They were even styled alike. Both it and the Barracuda/Challenger were me-too's.

But then there was the Trans-Am. It developed a legacy equal to the Mustang.

If Pontiac had not died, they could have done this and keep the line going.

[Dargil]

The present Mustang has lost it's visual character and looks like a bloated Aston Martin. It has no visual appeal.

[DCooper]

They had one of those tribute cars by Trans Am Depot out at the consignment house where I bought my 5th gen Hennessey Camaro. Pretty neat attention to detail.

[Uannoyme]

My first car was a Camaro, and I prefer Camaros over Mustangs. I'd prefer a Chevelle over both. I've also owned a Mustang, it was ok. I have to disagree with you that the Mustang came out years before the Camaro. It was only a year (or a year and a half).

[DCooper]

Mustangs came out in late 1964, the first Camaro was the '67. That couple years is what the design cycle took in those days.

[InsecureLivesMatter]

@DCooper April 1964 and September (?) 1966... that's 2 years. That's not a big gap even between an 11 and a 13 year old kid

[Redstang88]

Because the mustangs were the original, the only ones that have never stopped production and they’re better cars

And FYI the camaro V8 is a LT1, and the mustang V8 is a Coyote

[InsecureLivesMatter]

I'm aware of what they're officially called

[DCooper]

I'll take the LS3 in the 5th gen Camaro over the new LT1 all day... don't need the problems that come with all the direct injection, AFM, and VVT. Just toss a Maggie on it, and you can make all the power the bottom end can handle anyway.
And yes, the success of the Mustang in 64 and 65 definitely was the reason the other OEMs got into the pony car game. I still wouldn't mind picking up a first gen Mustang if I find one with a 289 and a 4 speed in the right condition at the right price. I would need a bigger garage though, because I wouldn't let something like that sit out in the rain and risk it getting stolen. And the daily driver 69 Camaro and 10k mile 2010 Hennessey 6 speed Camaro never sit outside either.

[Redstang88]

@DCooper Absolutely LS over lt any day, got an lq4 to go in my mustang at some point.
Always been a ford guy though, Imd love a 1st gen mustang or Torino cobra over anything GM

[DCooper]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ywdw16cZ-I

I'll just leave this here...

[In_Trance]

Marketing. It's all about the marketing behind the brand

[Abdulwahh]

Its all about social proof if i should ask you
Which fragrance woukd you buy mitchum or speed stick both are good but which one is more picked by others

[Anonymous]

Probably because you can buy Mustangs anywhere.

[mommymommymommy]

I'll never buy a Ford

[Anonymous]

I think it all depends on who you talk to.