THE USA CELEBRATE THE FORD MUSTANG IN A POSTAL STAMP

The 35th birthday party just goes on and on for the Ford Mustang. The US Postal Service have unveiled a 33 cent stamp (see left) featuring the 1964 Ford Mustang. The wraps came off the Mustang commemorative stamp at the Lone Star Grand National Car Show in Houston, hosted by that city's Mustang Club. The stamp is one of 15 saluting the 1960s as part of the postal service's "Celebrate the Century" program to honour the people, places, events and trends of each decade of this century.

The Mustang was introduced 35 years ago at the New York World's Fair. It proved to be a vehicle that changed the course of the American car industry - transportation with the attributes of a sports car, yet with a simple design and value for money. The Mustang was an immediate hit, with its long bonnet and short rear deck and $2,368 price tag. About 22,000 orders were taken the first day that the Mustang went on sale, and more than 7 million have been sold since. Through August, 1999 Mustang sales were running 22.5 percent ahead of the 1998 pace. The current model has the same brand values, but in a much sportier shell.

The Mustang was among 15 stamps selected during public balloting for stamps to mark the 1960s. The others are man walks on the moon; Super Bowl I; the peace symbol; "I Have a Dream;" the Green Bay Packers; the Beatles; the Vietnam War; the Barbie doll; Roger Maris; the integrated circuit; lasers; Woodstock; Star Trek; and the Peace Corps.

The Mustang commemorative stamp was illustrated, featuring a 1964 red convertible, by Keith Birdsong of Muskogee, Okla. It will be dedicated along with the other 1960s stamps on September 17 in Green Bay, Wis., and will be available at post offices nationwide or online at www.stampsonline.com.

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