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Ford Mustang (2004 and earlier)
2124 messages, Last post on Aug 24, 2010 at 1:12 PM
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What is this discussion about? Ford Mustang, Coupe
#765 of 2124 True, but... by argent
Jan 13, 2003 (4:37 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
A fair point, that. On the other hand, Ford's pegged production of the new Thunderbird at 25,000 units. Even though the four-seat big personal coupe genre is pretty close to dead, the last of the four-seaters sold 79,000 in 1997. That was down a third from the year before, which was a drop from '95, and with sales similarly drying up for the Buick Riviera, Lincoln Mark VIII, and Cadillac Eldorado, Ford decided to move the T-bird way upmarket so that it would be profitable as a small-volume "niche" product. Ford COULD do that with the Mustang, certainly, move the whole line into Corvette territory with a commensurate increase in price. It'd have to be a pricier product to support much lower volume, and I don't think that'd go over well at all with Mustang fans.
#766 of 2124 by john_324
Jan 13, 2003 (4:41 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
I think the T-birds are more of what people in the business call a "halo car"...it's what gets you down to the Ford dealership; once there, you realize that you actually need a Taurus (ugh, but true for a lot people I suppose...) So their sales are less important than the image conveyed. Besides, the T-bird is kinda expensive for what you get and at least in my area, are abundantly available at local dealers. That said, I'd love to own one some day. What I'd like to see for the Mustangs would be a return of the "stripper" performance models...someone on another board had the by-gone package codes for them I think. The current models have a lot of stuff I could do without (I really don't need power windows in a coupe) and I like the immediacy of a pure performance Mustang.
Re the "Grande" edition...have a link to a picture of one? This I *have* to see... : )
#767 of 2124 Thunderbirds and Grandes by argent
Jan 13, 2003 (5:20 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
Niche market, "halo" car, pretty much the same thing, translating into "more money than you can probably afford." In some respects the Thunderbird (especially in four-seat form) has always been that -- you paid dearly for "exclusive" styling and a lot of gimmickry.
The appeal of the Mustang has always been similar in some ways (style and gimmicks on top of conventional, if not rustic, mechanicals)...BUT the key difference is that it's always appealed as a car for the masses, whereas part of the traditional Thunderbird 'personal car' schtick was that it was vaguely snobbish. (Mass-market exclusivity!)
For photos of a '69 Mustang Grande, check out this guy's:
http://rain.prohosting.com/tonygill/69mustang.html
The "plushstang" approach seems more than a little silly, but it should be noted that given Ford's "custom-build your car" option approach, you could get most any Mustang powertrain combination in a Grande, and there were at least a couple with 428CJ engines...
#768 of 2124 It is not a forgone conclusion that the new Mustang by americanflag
Jan 13, 2003 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
will be a two seater, there have been references to Ford offering a 2+2. Also, remember we have only seen the concept. Still don't get those that are so against the retro aspect of the new Mustang. If you want a cutting edge modern technology type car, get a 350Z. If you make the Mustangs into 350Z type cars, then they are Mustangs in name only. I think J Mays is right on from what I have seen thus far.
#769 of 2124 New Mustang on cover of Motor Trend by jeffer2
Jan 13, 2003 (6:40 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
The new design is on the cover of the Feb. Motor Trend. I may pick up the mag tonight. - J
#770 of 2124 And Road & Track and Automobile and.... by andys120
Jan 13, 2003 (8:02 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
I haven't seen Car & Driver yet but I'll bet it's on there too. I can tell you that hasn't happened since 1964. Nice going J Mays and Ford.
#771 of 2124 Final Look of the new mustang? by maverick24
Jan 14, 2003 (12:10 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
I'm a big fan of the way the 2005 stang is heading but I'm curious if the silver concept car, that we have been seeing pictures of, is the final design that is going into production? I've heard various rumors that they are still making slight mods. Does anyone know if this is true?
In my opinion I would like to see more of the retro 68 look put into the design. I dont like how they shortened the front of the car and angled the hood down. The way they snubbed front end of the concept car reminds me of an old 80s Delorian. I would much rather see the front end longer and higher like it was in the old 68 stang. It makes it have that aggressive look which is a signature of the stang in my opinion.
There was a blue sketch of the 2005 mustang floating around that seemed to exemplify this and I am hoping that it is more like what the production version of the car will look like.
#772 of 2124 Fortunately AFAIC by andys120
Jan 14, 2003 (6:34 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
that blue sketch doesn't appear to be the production version. The show cars are close to the final version but the production car may have a taller roof and windshield and perhaps smaller taillights. I'm not sure what you want them to do w the hood but that's pretty close to production they say. IMHO the show cars look much more fluid than the infamous blue sketch. The Mustang was of my shopping list when I saw that sketch but now it's at the top.
#773 of 2124 No Mustang in C&D by argent
Jan 14, 2003 (11:25 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
The current C&D has the Dodge Hemi hatchback thing on the cover, not the Mustang. It doesn't say anything in particular about the concept except for a one-paragraph blurb in their notes on the Detroit show.
#774 of 2124 by blacktalon
Jan 14, 2003 (12:00 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Dec 03, 2003 12:23 pm)
While I'm still not a fan of the new convertible, the more I look at the new coupe, the more I like it. The curves on coupe make it look more streamlined than the convertible. Now, if only then can squeeze in the IRS...
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