What Is the Mustang Limited Edition 400?

It may seem hard to believe now, but there was a time in the late ‘60s when the future of the Ford Mustang was in doubt. After peaking at a high of over 600,000 units in 1966, sales began to drop significantly, partly due to oversaturation and partly due to increased competition from Chevy and Dodge’s pony car offerings. In an effort to revive the brand’s sagging fortunes, Ford began introducing a series of region-specific special editions, of which the Limited Edition 400 was one of the first.

Features of the Mustang Limited Edition 400

Released in 1967 and exclusive to the Chicagoland area, the Mustang Limited Edition 400 featured a number of unique enhancements, including a special deep metallic gold paint, louvered hoods, metal trim on the wheel and deck lid lips, and deluxe wheel covers. The Limited Edition 400 Mustang also featured special badging exclusive to the model, including fender emblems and a dash plate personalized with the owner’s name.

The personalized dash plate, a dealer-installed option, is an interesting relic from the car culture of the late ‘60s. Several of the regional special editions — including the Blazer Limited Edition, which was available from dealerships in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio — featured a similar option.

About Mustang Special Editions

In 1967, Ford produced no less than 11 special-edition Mustangs aimed at various regional markets throughout the country. Often these upgrades were merely cosmetic — in some cases, no more than special badging. It wasn’t until 1968, with the release of the legendary California Special Edition, that these regional programs produced a real classic. There is no official record of how many Limited Edition 400 Mustangs were sold in 1967, although occasionally one will pop up on the collector’s circuit.

Because the Limited Edition 400 offers little that can’t be found on any other contemporary Mustang, the cars today are generally not worth any more or less than a model without the badging. They are, however, an interesting relic of a bygone part of pony car culture and a unique look into how Ford used region-specific marketing to expand their customer base.