Picture this: It’s April 1964. Ford showrooms across North America shimmer with the anticipation of a revolution on wheels—the Mustang. Everywhere, these sleek machines seem destined to set the nation’s pulse racing. Yet, in a quiet corner of St. John’s, Newfoundland, sat a Mustang so rare and unintended for sale, it was practically a unicorn among horses. Enter a 33-year-old pilot with an eye for legend—and a sturdy checkbook.
A Mustang Too Special to Sell
The Mustang gleaming in St. John’s wasn’t just another pretty face. It was a pre-production car, one of just 180 built strictly for display before the official launch—a collector’s dream, if collectors had been paying attention yet. Fate, however, had other plans. Stanley Tucker, a pilot for Eastern Provincial Airways and a man who clearly believed in seizing the moment, laid eyes on the car and was smitten. On April 14th—three days before Ford’s official Mustang launch—Stanley persuaded the dealership to let him buy it. With a check handwritten on the spot, history took a left turn: Tucker drove off in Mustang Serial Number One.
The Only Mustang Driver in Newfoundland
Stanley didn’t just buy a car; he became a rolling sensation. For a long time, he was the only Mustang driver in all of Newfoundland. According to his later memories, his Mustang stopped more traffic than a moose on the highway. People literally flagged him down, peppering him with questions: What is this car? Who makes it? How much does it cost? If you ever wanted to feel like a celebrity behind the wheel, this was the magic formula.
For Ford, this scene was less of a fairytale and more of a corporate nightmare. Their Number One Mustang—meant as a historical showpiece—was now joyriding through Canada. Ford reps tried (and failed) several times to persuade Stanley to sell it back. Tucker was having too much fun to give up his prize.
A Tempting Offer at 10,000 Miles
It wasn’t until winter 1965, with 10,000 miles already clocked, that Ford put an offer on the table that even Stanley couldn’t refuse. If Tucker would return Serial Number One, he could choose a sparkling new 1966 Mustang—complete with every conceivable option.
Stanley bit. And boy, did he choose wisely: a Silver Frost Mustang convertible, loaded with luxury. Dashboard TV included (because obviously, if you have the chance, why not?). But this wasn’t just any Mustang either—it was, in a twist worthy of automotive folklore, the one-millionth Mustang ever built. So, Stanley swapped the first Mustang for the millionth. Now that’s a milestone trade-in story.
- First-ever Mustang: Pre-production Serial Number One
- Traded in after over 10,000 miles
- Replacement: Millionth Mustang in Silver Frost, convertible, dashboard TV
Meanwhile, Mustang Number One made its way safely back to Dearborn, where it still resides in the Henry Ford Museum—a fitting home for a legend.
Pride, Regret, and Legendary Status
Stanley enjoyed his lavish 1966 Mustang for years, proud of his role in a little piece of auto history. Yet, as time went by, he admitted to occasional pangs of regret. Letting go of “his” Serial Number One Mustang stuck with him, even as he knew deep down that a museum was where history belonged. And let’s face it—there aren’t many private garages with velvet ropes and guided tours.
The Mustang itself, of course, didn’t stop at a million. Today, over ten million have rolled off the production lines, and the name is synonymous with American motoring. But only one man can claim to have owned the very first—and then swapped it for the millionth. That sort of accidental legacy is not something you can rev up every day.
Stanley Tucker wasn’t seeking world records—in fact, he left decathlons like Irv Gordon and his Volvo in the rearview mirror. He didn’t rack up millions of miles either. But his fateful choice to talk a dealer into parting with that particular car placed him, quite inadvertently, at the heart of automotive folklore. Perhaps, just perhaps, that’s rarer than any mileage milestone. So, if you ever wonder whether one impulsive decision can make history—ask Stanley, or check out Mustang Serial Number One resting gloriously among the exhibits in Dearborn. Legends, after all, are made one curveball at a time.
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.
