The horse has bolted.
The Mustang has made a dream return to Supercars with Ford gun Scott McLaughlin making a perfect start to this title defence by winning the season-opening race in Adelaide.
McLaughlin steered the Mustang to its first touring car win in 47 years, dominating Saturday's 250km opener on the tough street circuit to finish 13 seconds ahead of seven-time series winner Jamie Whincup.
Whincup's Holden teammate Shane van Gisbergen was third, snapping his stunning record of four-straight victories in Adelaide.
All eyes were on the Mustangs which replaced Falcons this season in all six Ford teams, marking the first time they had been sighted on the grid since 1990.
It was worth the wait.
McLaughlin jumped pole sitter and teammate Fabian Coulthard and Whincup at the start to cruise from third to first by the opening turn.
The Mustang could not be reined in as McLaughlin clinched his first Adelaide victory in his 199th career race.
It also marked Mustang's first touring car win since Allan Moffat in 1972 at Oran Park.
Dick Johnson also savoured victory in a Mustang in a non-championship round in 1985 at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide before Falcons took precedence at Ford.
Mustang won five-consecutive touring car titles from 1965 - one for Norm Beechey before four in a row by Ian Geoghegan.
The car has not enjoyed a championship series win since - but McLaughlin might change all that, judging by his impressive season start.
"That one's for you Ford fans, first weekend for the Mustang," McLaughlin said.
"We're here, we're here to party and we're going to have a good time."
McLaughlin kept his cool in blistering conditions with temperatures soaring past 40 degrees track-side and in the mid-60s in the cars.
Coulthard started on pole but was handed a 10-second penalty for a false start, scuppering his victory hopes.
Coulthard went back to 22nd after copping the penalty but recovered to finish sixth.
Van Gisbergen dipped his hat to McLaughlin after missing out on the chance to become the first driver to win five-straight races in Adelaide.
It was another blow dealt by McLaughlin who pipped van Gisbergen by 71 points to claim his maiden championship in 2018.
"To come out with a new car and dominate is pretty impressive. We've got to catch up now," van Gisbergen said.
Holden's Macauley Jones did not contest the opening race after a nasty crash in Saturday's practice but hoped his Commodore would be repaired in time for Sunday's final 250km event.
AAP
