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175 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Charger SRT-8, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Concept Cars, Coupe

Messages Page 8 of 19

#63 of 175 Re: Retro's are no goes! [socala4] by john_324

Jan 25, 2006 (9:07 am)

Replying to: socala4 (Jan 25, 2006 7:46 am)
Interestingly, the Mustang has faced this dilemma before, and its history provides examples of both when it worked and when it didn't.
 
Consider the leap from the retro design of the Mustang II (an attempt to get back to the proportions and style of the orignal 1964 1/2 car) to the Euro-futurism of the Fox body. Now that was a bold change...and it worked well.
 
But on the other hand, there's what happened in the early 1990s...convinced that the car needed to "get with the times", Ford was developing the next Mustang as a super-aerodynamic fwd coupe with a V6 as the big engine.
 
Word got out and Ford was assailed with compliants...so many so that Ford radically changed course and the Mustang SN95 project was begun (it would eventually result in the 1994-2004 Mustangs).
 
And what happened to the doomed fwd Mustang? You may remember it as the Ford Probe.

#64 of 175 Future Mustangs by rorr

Jan 25, 2006 (9:25 am)

Just because Ford has looked to the '68 and '69 models as inspirations for the design of the current Mustang, don't try to extrapolate that as Ford must look at the Mustang II for future designs.
 
Perhaps what we'll see with future Mustangs will be what the '69/'70 models SHOULD have evolved into rather than the bloated flatback designs of '71/'73 or the Mustang II.

#65 of 175 Re: I know this debate has been had around here for years.... [seminole_kev] by silverstrk

Jan 25, 2006 (9:38 am)

Replying to: seminole_kev (Jan 25, 2006 8:25 am)
When I bought my 05 Mustang, my dealer told me that this current style would only be built for 3 years, then they were going to come out with a 1972 Mach 1 style.

#66 of 175 Re: Retro's are no goes! [john_324] by socala4

Jan 25, 2006 (9:39 am)

Replying to: john_324 (Jan 25, 2006 9:07 am)
That's a good summary of the history, so thanks for that. (Yes, I remember the Probe -- the second generation was actually pretty attractive, IMO but by then, the coupe market was heading the wrong direction for that one to work.)
 
I'm no stylist, so I am unable to translate my vague mini-rant into a coherent design sketch, but I would think that the basic premise of the car should dictate that a Mustang forever be (a) rear-wheel drive, (b) two-door and/or fastback-hatch-based body style with (c) a small-block V-8 and (d) a "sporty" style, whatever that means, at (e) a reasonable price, i.e. below that of a European sports sedan, and at about the price of a mid-sized family sedan.
 
What that means in terms of borrowing styling cues from which generation, I'm not quite sure. But it strikes me that rather than branding these with a corporate face (front end/ grille/ headlight style), as automakers are often inclined to do, the Mustang should stand apart in presenting a unique visage and style to the market.
 
IMO, it's important for Ford to find a way to retain positive, distinctive qualities for the car, yet inspire enough potential buyers so that the Mustang brand can move customers to other products in the Ford lineup. While the Mustang seems to do a good job of standing on its own, I wonder whether it's doing much to bring people to the rest of Ford's product line. If the Mustang can move a family car buyer to also crave a Ford sedan, then that would be a successful product.

#67 of 175 . by john_324

Jan 25, 2006 (10:07 am)

"When I bought my 05 Mustang, my dealer told me that this current style would only be built for 3 years, then they were going to come out with a 1972 Mach 1 style."
 
 

#68 of 175 Re: I know this debate has been had around here for years.... [silverstrk] by rorr

Jan 25, 2006 (10:52 am)

Replying to: silverstrk (Jan 25, 2006 9:38 am)
"...then they were going to come out with a 1972 Mach 1 style."
 
Oh lord help us.....
 
Well, if nothing else, such a move should help prop up the resale values on the '05 through '07 models.....

#69 of 175 Re: I know this debate has been had around here for years.... [rorr] by xwesx

Jan 25, 2006 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: rorr (Jan 25, 2006 10:52 am)
haha.... yes, but it is a rare dealer indeed that does more than blow hot air when it comes to the future direction of their manufacturer(s).

#70 of 175 Re: Retro's are no goes! [socala4] by john_324

Jan 25, 2006 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: socala4 (Jan 25, 2006 9:39 am)
"...Mustang forever be (a) rear-wheel drive, (b) two-door and/or fastback-hatch-based body style with (c) a small-block V-8 and (d) a "sporty" style, whatever that means, at (e) a reasonable price, i.e. below that of a European sports sedan, and at about the price of a mid-sized family sedan."
 
Don't forget long hood/short rear proportions.
 
I could see the next gen being a blockier, more angular version of the current one...think sorta like a modern Shelby Daytona (if people know what that looks like...)

#71 of 175 Re: Retro's are no goes! [john_324] by pony_pirate

Jan 25, 2006 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: john_324 (Jan 25, 2006 3:28 pm)
The last thing Ford is going to do is significantly alter the look or design of the new Mustang. Why mess with a good, no great, thing? And it took Ford 24 years to change the Mustang in the first place.
 
The Mustang is the 10th best-selling car in the US, according to a list posted in one of the discussions in this forum. I find this amazing, considering that it is basically a specialty item, an aggressive sports car, in competition against all-purpose nondescript cars like the Camry (#1) and Accord (#3).

#72 of 175 Re: I know this debate has been had around here for years.... [seminole_kev] by dialm4speed

Jan 25, 2006 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: seminole_kev (Jan 25, 2006 8:25 am)
"Or I think you could make a "new" style that still has some key design points to tie it into the previous model/Mustang heritage."
 
OR... they could lose the retro and move forward with a modern 21 century design.
 
No matter how you slice it your just retreading an old design.

Messages Page 8 of 19

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