Pony Cars — the Postal Service’s latest Forever stamps — were dedicated Aug. 25 at the Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, CA.
The vibrant stamps commemorate five iconic vehicles: the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, 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.
Scott Bombaugh, the Postal Service’s chief technology officer, spoke at the ceremony, noting that his mother once owned a 1970 Mustang.
“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,” Bombaugh said. “Is it any wonder I have bought two Mustang GTs since then?”
Bombaugh was joined by Scott English, executive director of the American Philatelic Society; Greg Breeding, the stamp’s art director; Zach Bryant, the stamp’s designer; and Tom Fritz, the stamp’s artist.
Fritz used oil-on-panel to capture the pony cars’ energy and mystique through bold colors and dramatic light.
“My challenge was to create five jewellike, descriptive portrayals that every person who fell in love with this era can appreciate. The adventure isn’t just painting the cars’ details but capturing their emotion and power — cars don’t just sit there. They hunker down, they lurch, they shake, they shimmy and skitter. Those are the thrilling moments I look for.”
The pony car trend revved up in earnest in 1964, as American automakers developed performance coupes and convertibles to cater to a rapidly emerging market of younger drivers.
The cars are still idolized today.
“If you don’t collect cars on stamps today, the Pony Cars Forever stamps will be a great way to start,” English said. “Since the 1960s, the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger have been at the top of the dream car list for generations of young drivers. The Pony Cars Forever stamps will let you relive one of the most exciting eras of cars or fulfill the dream of owning one.”
