Chris Woodyard

USA TODAY

If the Empire State Building can provide a fine climbing wall for a giant gorilla, its rooftop deck should also be able to accommodate a cozy corral for a mere Mustang.

Ford said Tuesday it is planning to plant a 2015 Mustang convertible on the observation deck of one of the world's tallest buildings, mimicking a similar stunt done 49 years ago in the same place. It marks the half-century mark celebration for the iconic American car.

"New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, and it's the place where the Ford Mustang story began 50 years ago," says Mark Fields, Ford chief operating officer, in a statement. "We're thrilled to be visiting the architectural landmark that has been the heart of the Manhattan skyline for 83 years with the newest generation of the car that is the soul of Ford Motor Company."

Now, the only problem will be finding a way to get a car up 86 stories. Ford engineers are planning to take it up the elevator -- piece by piece.

They did it before -- in 1965, dividing the car into three pieces plus the windshield. But the 2015 Mustang is nearly seven inches longer and four inches wider than the original pony car. As a result, a lot more planning is going into pulling off the feat. The move has to be done in six hours.

And the stunt decades ago wasn't without a hitch. Ford archivist Dean Weber notes that the car wasn't measured precisely and some panels had to be modified to fit the elevator back then.

Visitors can see the new Mustang convertible on the observation deck for 54 hours from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on April 16 and 17, which just happens to coincide with the New York Auto Show.