Vanderbilt Cup Races

Only one running prototype of the "Shorty" was ever built, and largely resembled the Mustang that would find its way to production less than a year later, minus a few inches of wheelbase and two rear seats.

As interesting as this one-of-a-kind pony car is, however, the story behind it is even more enthralling.

While most pre-production prototypes are sent to the crusher when their usefulness has dried up, Gardner decided that his "Shorty" was too special to deserve such a fate. So, he stashed it away in a nearby warehouse and convinced Ford that it had been stolen. Ford claimed an insurance payment on the missing 'Stang, and the case was seemingly settled.

However, Gardner failed to pay rent on the warehouse space, and upon investigation the warehouse owner discovered the car and took possession of it as payment. "Shorty" was eventually sold to one of the warehouse company's executives.

Having seen the pint-sized prototype at an auto show four years earlier and fallen in love at first sight, Snyder discovered the car up for sale in Hemming's Motor News in 1968, and had to have it. "I contacted the seller and immediately sent a driver from my printing business to Connecticut to pick up the car," said Snyder. "I've owned this one-of-a-kind Mustang for the last 46 years."

Over time, the paint cracked and the car accumulated over 15,000 miles, but Ford decided to step in and restore and improve Snyder's unique ride. They fitted "Shorty" with a 302 V-8, of Boss Mustang fame, and Snyder had a paint supplier match the original color. With a few months of hard work, the Mustang Jr. was returned to better-than-new condition.

"Shorty" made its public re-debut at the 2013 Amelia Concours d'Elegance in Florida, and this year, Snyder has been making the rounds at a variety of auto shows, celebrating 50 years of Ford's iconic pony car and the rebirth of his beloved, one-off ride.

Ford Archives

The Ford Mustang wasn't always the muscle car we all know it as today. A look through Ford's archives reveals the many attempts it took to change the model of the years. This early sketch, dubbed the Avventura, was a fastback model with a rear-facing back seat. (Ford)

Before the Mustang ever made it to the road, designers toyed with making the car a two-seater to fill the spot of the Thunderbird, which had moved on to a four-seater by the early 1960s. No production Mustangs have ever been built with just two seats. (Ford)

This two-seat, mid-engine concept car most likely was never considered a forerunner for production, but the GT40 MK I that went on to race at Le Mans drew inspiration from this little hard-top. (Ford)

This early physical design swapped out a hatchback for a trunk and turned the rear seat around to face forward. (Ford)

While the eventual 1965 Mustang varied greatly from this Allegro design study, this concept helped to establish the proportions that most Mustangs would fit for the next 50 years. (Ford)

This two-seater clay model study was a precursor to the 1965 production model. (Ford)