Ask the Car People.SM


Will classic design save GM, Ford and Chrysler?? - READ ONLY

67 messages,  Last post on Feb 08, 2006 at 10:09 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? Exterior

Messages Page 5 of 7

#38 of 67 Re: Classic RWD Sports Cars designs that the Big 3 can bring back... [john_324] by reddogs

Jan 09, 2006 (9:14 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Jan 09, 2006 9:06 am)
I love the 63-64 Corvette's not so much the 65-66 as they have a slightly different look, cant put my finger on it...
 
Current Mustang - seems to me the current one IS more of a 1969-70 design with the lights in the grill and some Shelby like extras. Maybe some of the MUSTANG afficionado's can help us.......

#39 of 67 Re: Classic RWD Sports Cars designs that the Big 3 can bring back... [reddogs] by john_324

Jan 09, 2006 (9:48 am)

Replying to: reddogs (Jan 09, 2006 9:14 am)
I think maybe a late '50s - early '60s Vette design might fare well. I love the quad headlight treatment, and could see it translating well today.
 
As for the current Mustang, the body itself is mainly 1968 inspired, with the headlights (on the GT) and the quarter windows being pure 1967 Shelby (originally, anyway).
 
Interestingly, both Shelby touches were originally Shelby's modifications of things that were less-than-successful on his orginal 1966 Shelby Mustangs. The 1966 had the inboard headlights together in the middle of the grill (DOT said nope, and anyway they blocked air to the radiator), and there were no quarter windows (buyers complained about the blind spots).
 
The badging on trunk of the current gen Mustang is similar to the 1969's (a gear-like motiff) though. But yeah, there's not too much difference between the 1968s and the 1969s. Though the 1969s did sport a huge non-functional hood scoop and side scoops as standard, which is similar to the 2001-2004 models.

#40 of 67 New Mustang... by andre1969

Jan 09, 2006 (10:03 am)

I'd say it most likely apes the 1969 with the front-end. The 70, while the same basic design, reverted back to single headlights, mounted fairly close together inside the grille, with two horizontal slashes outboard where the outer lights would've been on the '69.
 
The roofline is more '64.5-68, though, although I don't think any Mustang ever had big triangular quarter windows in the back. All the ones I've seen had louvers. The '69-70 fastback was actually styled to look like a hardtop, although the little quarter windows didn't roll down..they just flipped out.

#41 of 67 Re: New Mustang... [andre1969] by john_324

Jan 09, 2006 (10:36 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 09, 2006 10:03 am)
I believe the triangle quarter windows were Shelby-only in 1967...I'm not a fan myself, preferring my '02s smaller and right-up-against-the-side-windows style.
 
Guy down the street has an '06 V6 Mustang with added louvers on the quarter windows. He also has the "Pony package" which gives one a good looking replica of the 1967 grill ("corraled" pony with horizontal bars connected to two smaller lights). Also has the shelby over-body striping though, which is a bit much for a V6 I think, but to each his own.
 
I love the 1970 Mustang look, with the "missing" outboard lamps.

#42 of 67 Re: New Mustang... [john_324] by reddogs

Jan 09, 2006 (11:43 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Jan 09, 2006 10:36 am)
If I remember right, Bill Ford said it was based on what he drove in his youth and it was a 1969 Mustang and the design team added the Shelby and other touches, I'm trying to find the quote....anyway here's a 1969 to compare...
 
http://www.whatboyswant.com/showcar/279/?showcarselect=1

#43 of 67 Re: New Mustang... [reddogs] by john_324

Jan 09, 2006 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: reddogs (Jan 09, 2006 11:43 am)
Interesting re the Bill Ford quote...that is pretty cool. Unfortunately, I can't view the link (stupid office filtering software).
 
Could well be the 1969 he had in mind...there's not too much difference overall other than a few inches added in front between the '68 and '69.
 
But the little details seem to place the current design closer to the 1968. Maybe that's what his team was thinking, as you mention...
 
- Current Mustang has a center grill pony emblem like the '68, not the offset pony-and-bars of the '69.
- Current Mustang doesn't have the 1969s high, window-sill level side scoops, but rather lower indentations like the pre-1969s.
- Current Mustang GT is missing the 1969 GT's most promient feature...the non functional hood scoop.
 
Of course, the outboard headlight bezels on the current 'Stang have the ridges like the 1965s, so who knows?

#44 of 67 What about the other Classics...... by reddogs

Jan 09, 2006 (12:37 pm)

.....the styling could do for the other Big 3 sales what the Mustang is doing at Ford.
 
The 1961-2 Chevrolet Corvette actually has some 1956 T-Bird looks so may not be a good choice..
The 1963-4 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray would do very well especially if it was done a lower price level.
The 1965 Ford 427 Cobra would be great as a Miata size retro and would sell and attract nicely.
The 1968 Mercury Cougar would definitely help Liconln-Mercury bring in some buyers into the lots.
The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport and 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport 396 would be a crowd pleaser.
The 1969 Pontiac Firebird 2-Door Convertible and 1969 Pontiac GTO (Judge Version) would do well.
The 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, 1970 Dodge Challenger and 1970 PLYMOUTH CUDA would really bring in lookers if not buyers........

#45 of 67 Re: What about the other Classics...... [reddogs] by john_324

Jan 09, 2006 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: reddogs (Jan 09, 2006 12:37 pm)
Cobra, you say?
 
Ford put out a really cool video showing the new Mustang and Ford GT running through a city, and added some clearly cgi-ed shots of a Ford Cobra concept to it.
 
Here's what Ford has to say about the car:
link title

#46 of 67 Take a look at this........ by reddogs

Jan 09, 2006 (12:57 pm)

"GM rolls out Chevrolet Camaro concept!"
"Muscular-looking car modeled after 1969 classic."
 
http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/funonwheels/01/09/detroit_camaro_concept/index.htm- l
 
"Now the ghosts are revving their engines. Yesterday, the Dodge Challenger, in modern concept-car form, was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. Today, it was the Camaro."
 
I liked the 1968 better, but I'll go with the 1969...

#47 of 67 Chevrolet Camaro revealed by navigator89

Jan 09, 2006 (1:55 pm)

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/01/09/detroit-2006-gm-announces-new-chevrolet-c- amaro-concept/
 
More Pictures.
 
Camaro Story.
 
Compare with the Challenger.
 
Which do you guys like better? I like the Challenger best, then Mustang and Camaro. It's really hard to choose as all of them look so good!
 
About the Camaro, if it doesn't prove Chevrolet can build desirable vehicles then I dont know what will. It will also lure buyers into dealers to look at other cars. The Camaro is one of Chevrolet's best cars in terms of styling.
 
Without futher ado, let the muscle car wars begin!

Messages Page 5 of 7

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement