Man who owned first ever Mustang kept declining extraordinary offers from Ford to repurchase it until company made one too good to refuse
Published on Jul 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The owner of the first ever Mustang repeatedly turned down offers from Ford to buy it back, until the company came to him with an offer that was too good to refuse.
Captain Stanley Tucker purchased the first Ford Mustang on sale to the public way back in 1964.
This was done just days before the official model launched, in what Ford considered a huge bungle.
Over the next few years, Ford tried to get it back to no avail – until it offered an offer too sweet to pass up.
How the first Mustang ended up getting sold by accident
You always remember your first car – whether it’s the first you purchased as a young actor like Daniel Radcliffe, or the first you reviewed, like our very own Alex Hirschi.
But then there are the first cars that a manufacturer rolls out.
The first ever Ferrari wound up having a not-so happy ending.
Things, fortunately, weren’t quite so tragic for the first ever Mustang.
Cast your mind back to April 17, 1964, when the first ever Mustang arrived on a showroom floor in St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
One of 180 pre-production cars, these were dispatched to appear at dealerships prior to the real launch of the car.
Stanley Tucker had noticed a crowd gathering outside the dealership, piquing his interest.
Paying just $4,000, Tucker walked away with the first Mustang sold, despite the salesman’s hesitation.
It would be a while until the automaker realized what had happened and made an attempt to buy the car back.
Knowing the historical value of the car, Ford left no stone unturned trying to entice a sell-back, whether it be cash or other incentives.
But each time, Tucker turned the offers down.
It wouldn’t be until 1966 that the company came up with an offer that truly tempted him.
Ford came up with an offer that would have been virtually impossible to refuse
This time around, it wasn’t just cash in the equation – it was a whole new car.
This would be the one-millionth Mustang ever produced, tailored especially for him with every available option.
It was the perfect offer, as it allowed Ford to regain access to its first Mustang, and it’d give Tucker another slice of automotive history.
Talk about a win-win.
The original Mustang ended up being restored and placed in The Henry Ford Museum, where it remains to this day.
Tucker happily drove his new Mustang for several years, before he gave it a rather unglamorous end.
It might not be the ending that the millionth Mustang deserved, but if it satisfied Tucker, who are we to pass judgement?
Key Features: 1964 Ford Mustang
Powertrain: 4.3-Liter V8 engine, capable of 164hp
Top Speed: 105-110mph
0–62 mph: 9.0-9.5 seconds
Drive Modes: N/a
Starting Price: $2,368
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
