Imagine walking into a showroom, spotting a display car, and writing yourself into history on a whim. That’s exactly what Stanley Tucker did in April 1964, and his chance encounter with the very first Ford Mustang kicked off a story with horsepower, persistence, and a fateful trade no car lover could forget.
A Mustang on Display That Wasn’t Meant to Roam
April 1964 was a turning point for American cars. Ford’s gleaming new Mustangs sat in showrooms across the country, ready to take America by storm. But in the remote outpost of St. John’s, Newfoundland, one Mustang had a secret: it was a pre-production model, never meant for sale. Just one of 180 built strictly for display, it wasn’t destined for public roads—or so Ford thought.
But the Mustang caught the eye of Stanley Tucker, a 33-year-old pilot for Eastern Provincial Airways. The attraction? Immediate and irresistible. On April 14, three days before the official launch, Tucker convinced the dealer to accept a check and, in doing so, made history. He drove away in Mustang Serial Number One. If ever there was a lesson in knowing what you want and simply going for it, this was it.
The Only Mustang in Newfoundland
Owning the very first Mustang came with perks that went way beyond the pride of being first. Tucker later recalled, “For a long time, I was the only Mustang driver in Newfoundland.” He wasn’t exaggerating. People would literally flag him down on the roadside, curiosity burning in their eyes. What was this sleek machine? Who made it? And, surely the question on every hopeful driver’s mind, how much did it cost?
For Ford, however, this was an awkward predicament. Their historical Serial Number One Mustang was now being enjoyed freely on Canadian roads, far from the safety of the company’s archives. It didn’t take long for Ford representatives to try and buy it back. Tucker, soaking in the newfound attention and sheer joy of driving a car no one else had, refused. Giving it up just wasn’t an option. At least, not yet.
An Offer Too Good to Refuse
By the winter of 1965, Tucker’s Mustang had 10,000 miles under its belt. Ford came knocking again—this time, with an offer even the most dedicated car lover would struggle to decline. If Tucker returned the historic Mustang, he’d be rewarded with a brand-new 1966 Mustang, loaded with any options he wanted. Not a bad trade for a car with some serious miles on it already.
- Tucker agreed and picked a Silver Frost convertible, stacked with luxury finishes—and for a touch of 1960s extravagance, a TV right in the dashboard.
- This wasn’t just any Mustang; it turned out to be the one-millionth Mustang ever produced. There’s irony for you: trading the first for the millionth.
Ford brought Serial Number One back home to Dearborn, where it now rests safely in the Henry Ford Museum—a fitting ending for an automotive legend. Meanwhile, Tucker found himself holding another piece of Mustang’s living history, cruising proudly in his Deluxe convertible.
A Bittersweet History Lesson
Years later, Tucker would admit to feeling pangs of regret. Giving up “his” Mustang—Serial Number One—was a hard decision, and the ache didn’t go away easily. But he recognized that the car belonged in a museum, as a symbol of a model that changed not just Ford, but the very landscape of driving.
Today, the Mustang is a household name, with more than ten million rolling off the production lines. Yet only one man can say he owned the first—and swapped it out for the millionth. Tucker never chased world records, like the famed Irv Gordon did with his Volvo. He didn’t rack up millions of miles. Instead, his simple impulse purchase made him an accidental protagonist in the annals of automotive history. And in its own way, that’s a unique legacy—proving you don’t always have to set records to make your mark. Sometimes, you just have to say yes to the right car, at exactly the right moment.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
