The Ford Motor Company brought a touch of history to Disney’s D23 Ultimate Fan Event, where one of the original “Skyway Mustangs” from the 1964 New York World’s Fair made a grand appearance. In a collaboration between the Ford Archives and Disney, the vintage Mustang was a key feature in Disney’s “Great Big Beautiful Car Show,” celebrating iconic automobiles that have left a lasting mark on film and culture.
As part of the 60th-anniversary festivities for the World’s Fair, Ford Heritage Brand Manager Ted Ryan discussed the Mustang’s powerful legacy during a special panel alongside notable figures like Leonard Maltin and “Monsters Inc.” Director Pete Docter. Fans were captivated by the story of the Mustang’s pivotal debut at the 1964 Fair, a moment that solidified its place in automotive history as the quintessential sporty car.
Drawing over 75,000 attendees, the D23 event showcased more than 30 rare cars, but the Skyway Mustang was the star, with its display at the center of Disney’s reimagined archway from the 1964 Fair. The buzz backstage among the panelists underscored the Mustang’s enduring influence across generations, with many reminiscing about their personal connections to the car.
As the Ford Mustang continues to inspire today’s drivers, its presence at D23 symbolized the ongoing legacy of innovation, style, and storytelling that began six decades ago at the World’s Fair.
