Cologne, Germany - Thirty seconds. That's how long it took for the first 500 orders for EU-spec 2015 Ford Mustangs to come in after online reservations had opened during the UEFA Champions League final at the weekend.
Ford had allocated 500 of the first batch of Mustangs for the 20 European countries where the first Pony Car to be sold officially outside North America will be available, and set up a website on which customers could register on a first come, first served basis, which went live as the match between Real Madrid and Atlético kicked off.
Fastback models in red and convertibles in silver were available, with the customer's choice of either Ford's new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with 228kW and 407Nm, or the classic five-litre V8, rated at 314kW and 529Nm of torque.
Each will come with a special 'Champions League' package.
This includes Sync 2 connectivity and navigation, heated and ventilated seats, rear parking sensors, black leather trim, chrome detailing and 19" alloys.
By the time the final whistle blew after extra time (Real Madrid beat Atlético 4-1) more than 9300 had registered online to reserve one of the 500 first-edition Mustangs, when they go on sale in Europe early in 2015.
Ford has promised to contact, within the next few weeks, the customers in each of the 20 EU countries who were quickest to place their reservations, to invite them to confirm their order at their nearest Ford dealership later this year.
And as for the other 8800? Sorry for you, guys; you snooze, you lose.