Mustang Concepts Unveiled: The Coolest Ford Prototypes You Never Saw

Ford's celebrating the Mustang's big anniversary, and while we gotta love the classics, sometimes it's those "what ifs" that get the blood pumping. Y'know, the designs that got tossed, the prototypes that never saw a showroom...

Ford just dumped a TON of old sketches out there, so we went full-on nerd mode. Here's the craziest, coolest Mustangs that coulda been:

• Back to the Beginning: Mustang I Concept (1962)

Imagine a mini-Ferrari with a Ford badge – that's the vibe. Proof even early on, they were thinking "small, sporty, SEXY."

• The Mustang That Wasn't: Allegro Concepts

These bad boys from '63 & '67... well, Ford was clearly feeling out this whole "pony car" idea. The later Allegro II looks kinda Camaro-ish? Glad they kept experimenting, though.

• Design Legend: Gale Halderman's Mustang Sketch

This early doodle is so RAW. Look at those lines, that classic long-hood look taking shape. Gives you chills, right?

• The 4-Door Mustang That Makes Us Shudder

Yeah, they went there. Mercifully, they came to their senses, but that prototype... ick

• Mach I: The Italian Stallion?

The Mach I we know is BRUTAL. But check out this early sketch! It's got European sports car curves. Would've been a whole different beast.

• Mach 2: Ford's Almost-Supercar

Oh man, Ford wanted to replace the Shelby Cobra with THIS? Mid-engine, wild curves... they lost their nerve, our loss.

• The Mustang That Almost Got VERY Pretty

This '74 design for the Mustang II? Leagues better than that boxy thing they actually made. A missed opportunity, big time.

• Rally Mustang, Italian Style

The RSX concept from 1980? Picture a Lancia built for dirt. Italians taking a crack at the Mustang = mind blown.

• The '90s: Rambo Stang & Mach III Hints

Early '90s, Ford was clearly feeling the future. Mach III gave us glimpses of what was to come, while Rambo... well, let's just say "bulky" was in.

• 2005: Blast from the Past Future

This '05 concept went FULL RETRO, but with a sci-fi twist. Never happened, but it shows what they were toying with.

The One That Got Away: Mustang Milano

Okay, Ford, WHY didn't you build THIS? The 1970 Milano is a bombshell – a Pantera, only somehow meaner. Major fail not putting this on the road.