I sure don't want that Brokeback Mountain Leather interior!!! I hear you rear end hurts everytime you get out of your car.

 

Well said "RHUMB" and " INCOMING RPG", I agree totally with your comments........this is not about an appearance package...this is about Ford pulling their heads out, especially after Moody's and Standard & Poor's lowering the long - term credit rating of Ford to almost junk status,

Tape and fake scoops will not get Ford on their feet, only good products will save Ford....like the 2005 + Mustangs.
We all know they are selling all they can build.......no fake anything on them from the factory.....just a clean, novel design with performance, price and quality,

Ford, repeat after me..."it is the product that sells ",

Besides, does Ford think we red - necks in Oklahoma and Texas are going to buy a stang named for "La La Land" ??

 

My point is that you have a clean design in the original Mustang (sans GT/CS package). You now have a true high performance Mustang in the GT500 and (according to Brad) a Mach1 to fill the performacne gap in between. You guys act like Ford just used the entire SVT group and spent $1 billion on to develop to develop the GT/CS tape and scoop package. If this were an actual SE (like the Mach1 or Bullitt) then I'd be right there with you but it isn't. IMO this is no different than a couple different wheel options or two different IUP options. It's a way to give buyers an aesthetic choice. The whole idea that Ford's future somehow rides on this appearance package is ludicrous.

 

The '65 GT 350 didn't have brake scoops.

 

No one is trying to say this.

 

Ok, then why all the angst over a simple appearance package?

I'm sorry, but even Rhumb's voluminous diatribes have yet to give me a single valid explanation of why an appearance package is such horrible thing. I just don't see this as any different than adding a new color or wheel option. It's just another way for the buyer to tailor their car to their individual tastes (or lack thereof).

Just for the record, I don't care much for it either but I don't doubt there are those that do like it.

 

But the '66 GT350 did:

 

Mark, I agree with your final comment regarding Ford's future however, that isn't the point Rhumb and others were trying to make. Rhumb's excellent dissertation focused on the fact that the GT/CS package is symptomatic of a far more disturbing condition within Ford, simply put; their energy (however small) is being applied incorrectly to foster long term success for the Mustang. No one here believes that SVT or Ford spent mega dollars on this appearance package (actually quite the contrary if you examine the content).

If Ford believes the way to sell more Mustangs is with smoke and mirrors, scoops and stripes, bells and whistles then they have misunderstood the essence of the Mustang. While I understand those items appeal to a certain group of buyers and Ford will as part of their normal course of business offer those items, the fact remains that if they do not invest in upgrades and enhancements to the core essence of what makes a Mustang a Mustang, they will ultimately suffer failure. Given Ford's current state, they need to focus on the key elements that make the Mustang such a hit, affordable performance not gimmicky appearance packages.

Ford needs to be constantly reminded by the core group of Mustang aficionados that performance and value come first and appearance packages are secondary. The message to Ford should be: don't get caught up in the short term success of the Mustang and forego the long term vision of providing a well designed and executed affordable performance car.

 

Any my point is that the assumption (and it's flawed IMO) is that the GT/CS package is the only enhancements that is being done to the Mustang product to detriment of better performance. This isn't a zero-sum game.

 

Love the '65 - '66 GT350's, still my favorite Shelby's!!! :worship:

 

Mine too!

 

DOES ANYONE HAVE A PICTURE OF THIS SPECIAL EDITION POSTED BY BRAD. PLEASE POST IT AGAIN SO I CAN SEE IT!!!!!!

 

The mods have already told people not to post the pics if they have them. Apparantely Brad got into some hot water for posting them in the first place.

 

Agreed, but it's also important that Ford not begin to substitute "appearance package" for "performance upgrade" in their corporate vocabulary. Ultimately, I think we all agree that Ford can't rest on their laurels from a performance stand-point and hope to continue to win sales in the marketplace. Personally, I would have rather seen Ford devote even these very limited resources to a Mach I or Boss rather than spend anytime on an appearance package, the GT didn't need it IMHO.

 

Ya know, I'm not even sure why I'm sticking up the GT/CS since I think it's tacky as well. I guess I just didn't agree that it was huge mistake on Ford's part for offering it. I will say this however: if they come out with a Mach1 that's nothing more than a GT with a shaker scoop, fancy paint, and some stripes, then I'll be right there with you guys that Ford is doing the "smoke and mirrors" routine and fully agree there's a serious problem. If on the other hand, the Mach1 is true performance upgrade from the GT (which is what I expect) then I see the GT/CS package as an inexpensive way for Ford keep the interest up for the GT until the Mach1 arrives. IMO, there's nothing wrong with that.

 

I agree completely Mark, if the Mach I arrives and isn't a serious performance piece, you and I and a very large number of other people will stage a revolt. I don't anticipate it happening either but I suppose developments like this always give a reason for concern.

 

<!--QuoteBegin-MustangFanatic@January 12, 2006, 5:42 PM
Agreed, but it's also important that Ford not begin to substitute "appearance package" for "performance upgrade" in their corporate vocabulary. Ultimately, I think we all agree that Ford can't rest on their laurels from a performance stand-point and hope to continue to win sales in the marketplace. Personally, I would have rather seen Ford devote even these very limited resources to a Mach I or Boss rather than spend anytime on an appearance package, the GT didn't need it IMHO.

Quoted post

[/quote]Steve, thank you so much for these last two posts

 

Mark, I can agree with you here also.

 

i dont know but it seems to me that, like some other people have said, there is a huge gap in from the GT to the Cobra. Forgive my ignorance but if a "SE" means a one-year deal like the 03 Mach 1, then i dont think thats good enough. What they need is a permament model in the high 300's to low 400's hp (N/A 5.4 ) for in the low 30's. That would tighten up the lineup a little.


just my $.02


(Edit: ok the mach was 2 years but my point still stands)

 

pssst.... the mach was a two year deal

i dont mind this whole apperance package thin. its not as if ford is putting tape stripes and fake scoops on ALL mustangs. its OPTIONAL, so if someone wants it, its there. its not gonna be the mainstream thing.

i probably wont get one, but its nice to know its there (plus i love the old GT/CSs so, naturally im excited about this'n)