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Ford Mustang III

Coachwork by Ghia

Ford Mustang III

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Body style
Coupé / Targa
Type
Concept
Production
1

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Ford Mustang III is an exciting concept that blends innovation and practicality, offering a fresh take on the classic Mustang design. Unveiled at the prestigious 1978 Geneva Motor Show, the Mustang III represents a bold step forward, combining sporty aesthetics with compact, efficient engineering. This forward-thinking concept uses the running gear of the Ford Fiesta, a model that was slated for release later that same year. By utilizing the Fiesta’s platform, Ford was able to achieve a remarkable reduction in size while maintaining the Mustang’s dynamic spirit. The Mustang III measures an impressive 70 centimeters (28 inches) shorter than the production Mustang II, making it more compact and maneuverable while still offering enough space to comfortably seat four adults. The design of the Mustang III is the brainchild of Paul Breuer, a renowned designer at Carrozzeria Ghia, Ford’s Italian design studio. Breuer’s vision brought European sophistication to the Mustang lineage, with a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that remained true to the car’s sporty heritage. The collaboration with Ghia ensured that the Mustang III not only looked stunning but also pushed the boundaries of what compact performance cars could achieve in the late 1970s. The Mustang III was more than just a design study; it was a glimpse into a future where performance and practicality could coexist. By integrating advanced design elements and leveraging the Fiesta’s engineering, Ford showcased its ability to innovate and adapt to changing market demands. While it remained a concept car and never reached production, the Mustang III’s unveiling left a lasting impression on car enthusiasts and industry experts alike. Overall, the Ford Mustang III serves as a fascinating chapter in the Mustang’s storied history, demonstrating the brand’s ability to evolve while staying true to its iconic identity. It’s a testament to Ford’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating vehicles that inspire imagination and excitement.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
Concept
Production notes
Paul Breuer archive-based research dates the Ghia Mustang III project to 1976, while modern archives and Geneva chronologies label the same concept 1978; reproduced Ford release wording itself points toward an earlier phase. Clear canonical year and retain explicit 1976/1978 chronology conflict. Breuer remains documented. NO_AUTO_INHERIT.

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Ghia
Designer · Documented
Paul Breuer
Manufacturer · Documented
Ford

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

Geneva General · legacy_preserved
Date
1978
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Autoappassionati — Paul Breuer in Ford-Ghia autoappassionati.it Designer archive and recollections history
Story Cars — 1978 Ford Mustang III by Ghia www.story-cars.com Independent history reproducing ford press release
CarStyling.ru — 1978 Ford Mustang III (Ghia) www.carstyling.ru Specialist design archive reproducing ford release
Geneva Motor Show chronology — 1978 introductions en.wikipedia.org Event history reference

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Geneva

THE CONVERSATION

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