| Phil Clark's Mustang Coupe (1958) |
Images courtesy of Holly Clark
This is the latest evidence that we've found on the Phil Clark story. This Fall 1963 issue of Motorcade Magazine featured several illustrations of what was to come from American automakers for 1964. One such illustration, as you would figure, was done by Phil Clark. It was a drawing that was finished way back in May of 1958. At that time, Phil was 22 years old and still in Art School. As you would suppose, he had yet to be in association with any major car company when he created this drawing. His family believes he sent a drawing like the one featured in the magazine to Chrysler of the same Mustang Coupe at some point before taking a job at GM in early 1962.
With the pattern set by all the evidence we've found so far, it is becoming more and more unlikely that Najjar came up with the name and certainly unlikely that he came up with the design. For those of you who still don't believe that Phil Clark was responsible for the Mustang I Prototype's design, I'm not sure what will make you believe it after this. The photos say it all. Of course, the May `58 date labeled on the drawing could just be read incorrectly. Both of us here at MuscularMustangs examined the date and it does seem to say "58". Don't look too closely though. It appears a bit more clear from farther away. For a little closer view, scroll to the bottom of this page
The design is actually not the biggest deal here though. The name introduced in the drawing holds the most controversy and mystery around it. For those who think the naming could be just a coincidence, I'll break down the different things that would have to take place in order for everything to fall in place correctly. First off, Phil apparently did this drawing in 1958 and used the name "Mustang", which he had came up with from one of his trips through Nevada where he saw many wild horses galloping along the way. It is only obvious that this is also where he got the idea for the galloping horse emblem. After he graduated in 1961 from Art School (which Chrysler said he should go to in order for his drawing to improve and for them to accept him as a designer), he made his way to GM for a fairly short run.
While he was there, GM just so happened to have a behind the scenes prototype oddly named the "Mustang". Then, when he took a job at Ford there was suddenly the idea of making a car with the same exact
name...MUSTANG.
Again, there is a always doubts and odd things that could've taken place. In any situation like this there's doubts, but you have to go with the evidence you have. No matter what name was on the drawings, Lee Iacocca would have the final decision on what the name of the car would be, but the question is whether the Mustang name would have even been in the running. As I've said in previous articles, I would love to be able to e-mail or write to Mr. Najjar. I don't have either an e-mail address or a street address for him. If he is out there reading this by any chance, I am openly inviting you to speak your story on this situation. If anyone knows where to contact him or speak with him, please inform us and let us now how to get in touch.
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