Description
The Ford Mustang T5 Fastback was a special export version of the Mustang built for the German market during the 1960s and 1970s. When the Mustang was first introduced in 1964, it quickly became a global success, but in Germany, Ford was faced with a trademark problem: the name “Mustang” was already registered by the truck manufacturer Krupp, which built a line of heavy-duty vehicles under that name. To avoid legal disputes, Ford chose to market the car as the “T5,” a designation that referred to its original development code inside Ford.
The T5 was mechanically identical to the standard Mustang sold in the United States, and the Fastback variant retained its long-hood, short-deck proportions, sloping roofline, and fold-down rear seats that made the 2+2 body style so distinctive. Buyers in Germany received the same body styles, trim levels, and options as American buyers, meaning that the T5 Fastback could be equipped with anything from the base inline-six engines to powerful V8s like the 289 or later 302 cubic inch small-blocks. In practice, many German-market cars were ordered with smaller V8s, since high fuel costs and engine taxes made the larger displacements less practical in Europe.
The only changes to the T5 were minor adaptations required for European regulations. Speedometers were calibrated in kilometers per hour rather than miles, and lighting systems were adjusted to meet German road laws. Badging was the most obvious difference: anywhere the word “Mustang” appeared on the American version, the German-market cars carried the “T5” designation. Even hubcaps, fender emblems, and interior script were changed to reflect the unique name.
The Fastback version of the T5 was particularly appealing to European buyers because of its sportier profile. The fold-down rear seat gave it extra practicality, while its aggressive styling and performance-oriented image fit well with the growing popularity of sporty coupés in Europe. Equipped with the 289 V8, the T5 Fastback delivered strong performance, though German drivers were often more impressed by its style and presence than its outright speed, especially since the Autobahn allowed it to stretch its legs in a way few other markets could.
Because it was an imported American car, the T5 carried a higher price tag in Germany compared to domestically produced vehicles. Taxes and tariffs made it significantly more expensive than in the United States, which limited its sales numbers. As a result, relatively few T5s were sold, making surviving examples rarer today than their American Mustang counterparts.
Today, the Ford Mustang T5 Fastback is highly prized by collectors, not only for its rarity but also for the story it tells about the Mustang’s global reach. Its unique badging and minor differences set it apart from standard Mustangs, and for enthusiasts of export models or European-market classics, the T5 represents an intriguing piece of automotive history. In the collector world, it stands as both a true Mustang in every mechanical sense and as a fascinating variation shaped by trademark law and international marketing.