The US Postal Service has issued a love letter to the American Pony Car, with new Forever Stamps that honor legendary 1960s models.
The Pony Car stamps celebrate five iconic U.S. automobiles — the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (think Steve McQueen in Bullitt), the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, the 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT and the 1969 AMC Javelin SST.
The stamps are painted using oil paint on panels, the stamp artwork, with bold colors and dramatic light, to capture the energy and mystique of pony cars.
Pony cars were hot. So were muscle cars – and the USPS had a stamp series of those, too.
Forever stamps also are hot – they are called “forever” because you can still use them even if postage prices go up, as they do every couple of years. But, then, the last container of milk I bought was 50 cents more than the month before.
Even if you can’t afford to collect vintage vroomers, you can treat yourself to a sheet of stamps of vintage vroomers.
But I digress.
In the mid-to-late 20th century, American automakers began catering to a segment of their customer base that was rapidly growing — younger drivers. They craved sporty, affordable cars that looked and felt different from what was in their parents’ garages.
Several manufacturers initially produced models that fit that description, as did the kissing cousin of the pony car, known as the muscle car.
Pony cars were hot. But in truth, the new classification of vehicle didn’t have a name until Car Life editor Dennis Shattuck is thought to have given it one. Inspired by the Ford Mustang, he coined the term “pony cars” to describe the customizable automobiles that were becoming wildly popular.
According to the USPS, over the past six decades, fast and fun pony cars have become a uniquely American obsession. Since their emergence, these performance coupes and convertibles have brought a youthful spirit to the automotive world.
“My mother had a 1970 Mustang with a 351 cubic inch V8,” said Scott Bombaugh, the Postal Service’s chief technology officer and executive vice president, in a press release announcing the new Pony Car stamps.
“My brother learned to drive in that car, but by the time I was ready to drive, my parents sold the Mustang and had a Pinto wagon. Is it any wonder I have bought two Mustang GTs since then?”
It was a joint effort by Greg Breeding, the stamp’s art director; Zach Bryant, the stamp’s designer; and Tom Fritz, the stamp’s artist.
USPS even hopes that these legendary Pony Car stamps will drive your interest (sorry about that pun) in stamp collecting.
Sadly, several of the brands represented in this USPS Pony Car stamp series no longer exist.
Ford killed off the Mercury brand a couple of decades back. AMC was gobbled up by Chrysler, which became part of an ill-fated marriage with Mercedes and now is part of the Stellantis brand which includes Alfa Romeo.
And if you can get your hands on a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, it will set you back close to seven figures.
The Pony Cars Commemorative Forever sheet of 20 stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1- ounce price.
About USPS
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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