File:Pony Cars of 1970.jpg

The Big Three U.S. Automakers joined the compact car market for the 1960 model year to recover sales lost to the import Volkswagen Beetle, domestic Rambler American and Studebaker Lark. Corvair, Falcon and Valiant were the initial entries to the compact class. Early on a "Sporty" version was offered that enhanced the image and profits for each model. Corvair Monza, Falcon Sprint and Valiant Signet set the stage for a new "class" of cars the "Pony" car. Based on the compact platforms, but with "Sporty" looks and often available performance enhancements. The first released (by a couple weeks) was the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda. Ford introduced the Mustang in April 1964, but as an early 1965 model. It was a smashing success and the reason the class became known as "Pony Cars" rather than some aquatic creature. Unlike the Barracuda, the Mustang looked completely different than the Falcon the car was based on. The Barracuda was an apparent variation of the Valiant. Over the next five years the cars in this class grew and blurred the lines between "Pony Cars" and "Muscle Cars" (generally based on intermediate sized cars)

Click here for more car pictures by make.

Click here for Car Event pictures by year.

Or on Twitter @DVS1mn.