Who still loves their S197?
4/7/16, 09:12 PM
#41
I *just* got back from a 13 hour round trip road trip.
Just a great day.
The mods are shown below, with the only ones I'm gonna do next cosmetic for the interior (seat covers, maybe a few other items), adding some subs in the back, and redo the engine bay so she's what I want in there.
That's it. She's otherwise already modded to what I wanted her to be.
I couldn't be happier with Awesome.
Just a great day.
The mods are shown below, with the only ones I'm gonna do next cosmetic for the interior (seat covers, maybe a few other items), adding some subs in the back, and redo the engine bay so she's what I want in there.
That's it. She's otherwise already modded to what I wanted her to be.
I couldn't be happier with Awesome.
I can't believe you didn't mention Muskrat... for shame... poor unloved Muskrat...
4/7/16, 09:47 PM
#43
legacy Tms Member
Perhaps it's just me, but when I first saw the S197 as a concept car in 2003, the first thing that came to mind was how strongly it resembled the classic 65-66 2+2 fastback.. Now although the 69's are also one of my favorite body styles, IMHO Ford took styling cues from the classic 65-70 model years rather than from just one particular model year..
Whenever I look at the rear tail light section, the S197 seem to have the appearance of the 70 models, but from the hood and front end sections, the S197 is definitely reminiscent of the 69.. However from the side profile, I see more 65-66 2+2 fastback with it's separate A and B pillars and horizontal decklid, where as the 69 has the full fastback/sportsroof which slopes at a 90 degree angle completely into the rear decklid..
Therefore from just the side profile, the S197 appears to share very little in common with the 69 from a visual point of view, but instead seems to have more in common with the classic 65-66 2+2 body style..
At any rate, what I love most about the S197, is that Ford re-captured the spirit of the Mustang's original pony car roots while at the same time brought it into the 21st century with it's own unique contemporary styling which is exactly why the S197 is so special as in it's own right to begin with
Whenever I look at the rear tail light section, the S197 seem to have the appearance of the 70 models, but from the hood and front end sections, the S197 is definitely reminiscent of the 69.. However from the side profile, I see more 65-66 2+2 fastback with it's separate A and B pillars and horizontal decklid, where as the 69 has the full fastback/sportsroof which slopes at a 90 degree angle completely into the rear decklid..
Therefore from just the side profile, the S197 appears to share very little in common with the 69 from a visual point of view, but instead seems to have more in common with the classic 65-66 2+2 body style..
At any rate, what I love most about the S197, is that Ford re-captured the spirit of the Mustang's original pony car roots while at the same time brought it into the 21st century with it's own unique contemporary styling which is exactly why the S197 is so special as in it's own right to begin with
the S197 dont look like any of them to me, but yet it screams 'mustang' from any angle...as instantly spotted from blocks away just like any of the early ones... to me the new mustang/camaro have lost that a little- sure they are arguably pretty cars, they just share more modern styling than older- and in my opinion, classic looks will never go out of style.
the late great cobra/terminators i think are a example- very capable cars by any yardstick, but take away the cobra drivetrain, the following just isnt there...it seems to me the 05-09 still garner more 'nice car' comments, even if just a shined up base V6- the cars have just enough lines to pull off he 'classic look'. the newest are getting a little more modern/swoopy lines that at a distance dont jump out from the crowd at a distance- i think of todays models, the only 'jumps out at ya' is the rear view of the 15 mustang- its pretty unmistakable at a distance and screams mustang. the current challenger i think is the most recognizable new model on the street offered today- again, classic lines from any angle- those will be as desirable as the originals long term in my opinion- great looking cars just never go out of style.
i wish the s197 styling was referred to as 'classic' more than retro- it dont look like any older one, but does carry a family resemblance very solidly to all the early fastbacks
4/7/16, 10:04 PM
#44
legacy Tms Member
yes it is- as 'touristy' as Williams is, it pulls it off well, was one of the neatest stops along the way, spent most of the day/overnight there.
here was my favorite from the trip- wolf creek pass colorado- the views along that route were amazing... the oldest sons were driving that stretch and the 'wow' comments were kinda unexpected from teenagers usually more into heir phones... but 'wow' is pretty unavoidable on that stretch of highway thru the Rockies...
a yr after the trip, sent this pic in to ford, got the back page of the 'myford' magazine
here was my favorite from the trip- wolf creek pass colorado- the views along that route were amazing... the oldest sons were driving that stretch and the 'wow' comments were kinda unexpected from teenagers usually more into heir phones... but 'wow' is pretty unavoidable on that stretch of highway thru the Rockies...
a yr after the trip, sent this pic in to ford, got the back page of the 'myford' magazine
4/8/16, 02:59 AM
#45
We love Williams. Been there several times. We always eat at the place just on the left side of the picture with the guard rail around it. I recognized Williams as soon as I saw the pic.
4/8/16, 05:03 AM
#46
Cobra Member
Thread Starter
I remember that concept art among others back then, I was only 17 or 18 then. I picked up every magazine that had an article on pic of the upcoming mustang redesign. I kept them for a while too, but have moved several times since then, and am guessing they found the trash during one of those moves.
4/8/16, 06:49 PM
#47
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
oh I couldnt agree more...my 69 reference was more that in my opinion/reading, the 69-70 fastbacks are probably the ones seen as 'best looking' kinda like a 69 camaro/cougar/charger- it was the pinnacle of 'classic' styling to me- with mustang, thats followed extremely closely by the 65-68 too, they were just beautiful cars to look at...
the S197 dont look like any of them to me, but yet it screams 'mustang' from any angle...as instantly spotted from blocks away just like any of the early ones... to me the new mustang/camaro have lost that a little- sure they are arguably pretty cars, they just share more modern styling than older- and in my opinion, classic looks will never go out of style.
the late great cobra/terminators i think are a example- very capable cars by any yardstick, but take away the cobra drivetrain, the following just isnt there...it seems to me the 05-09 still garner more 'nice car' comments, even if just a shined up base V6- the cars have just enough lines to pull off he 'classic look'. the newest are getting a little more modern/swoopy lines that at a distance dont jump out from the crowd at a distance- i think of todays models, the only 'jumps out at ya' is the rear view of the 15 mustang- its pretty unmistakable at a distance and screams mustang. the current challenger i think is the most recognizable new model on the street offered today- again, classic lines from any angle- those will be as desirable as the originals long term in my opinion- great looking cars just never go out of style.
i wish the s197 styling was referred to as 'classic' more than retro- it dont look like any older one, but does carry a family resemblance very solidly to all the early fastbacks
the S197 dont look like any of them to me, but yet it screams 'mustang' from any angle...as instantly spotted from blocks away just like any of the early ones... to me the new mustang/camaro have lost that a little- sure they are arguably pretty cars, they just share more modern styling than older- and in my opinion, classic looks will never go out of style.
the late great cobra/terminators i think are a example- very capable cars by any yardstick, but take away the cobra drivetrain, the following just isnt there...it seems to me the 05-09 still garner more 'nice car' comments, even if just a shined up base V6- the cars have just enough lines to pull off he 'classic look'. the newest are getting a little more modern/swoopy lines that at a distance dont jump out from the crowd at a distance- i think of todays models, the only 'jumps out at ya' is the rear view of the 15 mustang- its pretty unmistakable at a distance and screams mustang. the current challenger i think is the most recognizable new model on the street offered today- again, classic lines from any angle- those will be as desirable as the originals long term in my opinion- great looking cars just never go out of style.
i wish the s197 styling was referred to as 'classic' more than retro- it dont look like any older one, but does carry a family resemblance very solidly to all the early fastbacks
Just as I mentioned previously, Ford was able to accomplish this by not only creating a design which re-captures the spirit of the classic 65-70 era, but the S197 also has it's very own identity as well, thanks to it's contemporary styling and modern design built for today's 21st century for which once again, is what makes the S197 Mustang so special and so unique in it's own right..
As for the current S550 Mustang is concerned, I can certainly understand Ford's reasoning behind the new platform and design, as the Mustang has to evolve in both technology and styling in order to remain competitive and appeal to new customers.. However as far as I'm concerned, the S550 just doesn't re-capture the spirit of the Mustang's classic heritage as a pony car/muscle car compared with the S197's retro styling but instead has now evolved into more of an upscale/euro sports coupe..
Anyhow once again, I understand Ford's reasoning and intention behind the Mustang's evolution and despite the fact that I don't dislike the S550's design styling.. It just doesn't have that same pony car appeal as the S197 that screams Mustang to me
-Rocky
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 4/9/16 at 02:55 PM.
4/8/16, 10:35 PM
#48
Legacy TMS Member
And for an I6 pony car, she drove real nice, rode real nice, and had a comfy feel to her, and I could drive her all day and night, truth.
I feel ashamed for having let her go, and for not nearly enough, and not thinking at the time about all the people who helped me get her to where she wound up.
But I thought that I was doing the right thing, selling her to someone who'd drive her more, not be worried about bending her like I was, would appreciate having her...
...and that really didn't happen, and it makes the loss all the more hurtful.... but I have to keep moving forward, lest I wither away in my sorrows for my mistakes.
Which is why with Awesome, I'm finally back in a car I love love love to be in, and due to the experience with Muskrat, you will pry Awesome from my cold dead hands, or if she's damaged enough I have to let her go, reluctantly, because they killed her (aka totaled in a wreck or such that she can't be repaired.) Whoever 'they' might be, never should I or Awesome meet up with them one would hope.
I have and drive Awesome precisely because I don't have Muskrat. I remember her when I drive my '06 fondly. And one day maybe I'll have another '66, but it won't be Muskrat, because there was only one. Just like I might one day get another '78 II, but it won't be The Orange Bomb.
Anyway. Muskrat is fondly remembered, and honored in a way, every day. Worry not.
4/9/16, 05:12 PM
#51
I remember that concept art among others back then, I was only 17 or 18 then. I picked up every magazine that had an article on pic of the upcoming mustang redesign. I kept them for a while too, but have moved several times since then, and am guessing they found the trash during one of those moves.
Funny story on that concept art - my 2002 was less than a year old at the time I saw that very JPG file (it's the same one, been living on my various computers for over 13 years) and I told my Mrs. at the time - "I'm getting THAT car when it comes out!!" Of course, she disagreed, lecturing me about financial responsibility, etc... we actually got into a fight about a car that didn't even exist!!
Fast forward to August 2005. I'm now divorced, signing papers on my new, beautiful Pony, and I think... "Wow, there is no one to say to me I can't have this car!"
I still have my Pony to this day. I have looked at the new ones, and I don't get that "rush" or "desire" to go get one. My 2005 suits me fine! They don't have that Mustang "look".
4/10/16, 08:36 AM
#52
Roush Forum Stalker
Attachment 178037
Like mine
Like mine
4/13/16, 02:43 PM
#54
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
I went S550 then came back. My parents like mine so much we drove 13hrs to pick up this white one for them.
Attachment 178200
Attachment 178200
4/15/16, 05:27 AM
#57
Cobra Member
Thread Starter
4/18/16, 08:51 PM
#59
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: June 22, 2013
Location: the beautiful "Shenandoah Valley of Virginia"
Posts: 577
Received 101 Likes
on
74 Posts
We just bought ours in 2013 .... and we still love it. Don't drive it a lot, miles are still low ..... but we had it out April 3rd 2016 and stopped by to see "Columbine II" (a Lockheed VC-121 Constellation #48-0610) which was recently restored to flying condition by mechanics and flown from Arizona to Bridgewater, Virginia recently ... purchased by Dynamic Aviation. Look close in the back ground just above the car ... there she is.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.1400350
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_II
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.1400350
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_II
4/18/16, 10:02 PM
#60
2014 SGM Roush Stage 2 --------- Moderator------
I'd still have my '06 if I hadn't driven it through several trees :/
But my replacement is pretty awesome as well
Attachment 178260
But my replacement is pretty awesome as well
Attachment 178260