![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/1964_12_Ford_Mustang.jpg/640px-1964_12_Ford_Mustang.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Pony car
American car classification / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pony car is an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupés or convertibles with a "sporty" or performance-oriented image.[1][2] Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive, a long hood, a short decklid, a wide range of options to individualize each car and use of mass-produced parts shared with other models. The popularity of pony cars is largely due to the launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964.[3][4][5][6]
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/1964_12_Ford_Mustang.jpg/640px-1964_12_Ford_Mustang.jpg)
There is much debate among enthusiasts about the exact definition of a pony car, and what differentiates the vehicle from a muscle car. The general consensus is that pony cars are smaller and more refined than muscle cars. A few intermediate-size vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger, may be considered to belong to both categories.[7]
In 2024, the Ford Mustang became the last remaining pony car still in production. The Challenger and the Camaro ended production in 2023; though the Camaro's final model year is 2024.