A pony car is an American car classification that originated in the mid-1960s, characterized by affordable, compact, and highly styled coupes or convertibles with a sporty or performance-oriented image. The segment was launched by the Ford Mustang in 1964, which popularized the concept and created a new niche in the automotive market

. Key characteristics of pony cars include:

• Compact body size
• Rear-wheel drive
• Long hood and short rear deck design
• Bucket seats and room for four passengers
• Wide range of options for personalization
• Use of mass-produced parts shared with other models
• Typically equipped with smaller V8 or six-cylinder engines compared to muscle cars
• Sporty styling aimed at younger buyers

Pony cars differ from muscle cars mainly in size and performance focus: pony cars are smaller and more homogeneous in design, while muscle cars tend to be larger with more powerful engines

. Historical context:

• The Plymouth Barracuda was actually the first pony car, released just before the Mustang, but the Mustang's massive success made it the icon of the class

• The Mustang's debut sparked a wave of competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Mercury Cougar, AMC Javelin, and Dodge Challenger, leading to what was known as the "Pony Car Wars" in the late 1960s and early 1970s

• Pony cars were popular among young drivers due to their sporty looks and affordability.
• The segment declined in the 1970s due to factors like the oil crisis and stricter emissions regulations but saw revivals in the 1980s and again in the 2000s with modern versions of the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger

Modern pony cars:

• The Ford Mustang remains the most iconic and continuously produced pony car, with the latest generation debuting in 2024

• The Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro were revived in the 2000s and continue to represent the segment, though some models are being phased out or electrified in the near future

• Modern pony cars incorporate advanced features like independent rear suspension, turbocharged engines, and even all-wheel drive in some cases

In summary, a pony car is a stylish, compact American coupe or convertible with sporty appeal, rooted in the legacy of the 1964 Ford Mustang and characterized by a balance of affordability, performance, and customization options