I can't believe you didn't mention Muskrat... for shame... poor unloved Muskrat...

 

I first saw this concept art in 2003...




And here we are today!

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

Tim ! Actually I should had clarified my wording by saying that when Ford designed the S197, they actually took inspiration from the classic 65-70 model years, but did not attempt in anyway to re-copy nor re-create any of their styling cues, but rather to create a modern interpretation instead..

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

 

Oh, don't worry about my love for my erstwhile Muskrat. Not a day goes by that somehow I'm kicking myself in the posterior for *EVER* letting her go. What an idiot I was.

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.

 

Like mine

 

NIIIIIIIICCEEEE!!! The painted Fanblades look perfect on your ride!




And welcome to TMS!

 

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".

 

Gorgeous looking car!

 

I went S550 then came back. My parents like mine so much we drove 13hrs to pick up this white one for them.

 

Your parents definitely have very great taste, just as they're son does.. Anyway congrats on your 2013 Boss and also to your parents on they're Shelby GT

 

I'd still have my '06 if I hadn't driven it through several trees :/

But my replacement is pretty awesome as well

 

Love that bridge in Austin

 

Really like that color combo

 

Me too

 

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

 

Boy do I love your car. This is the one that inspired the one I have. Silver on Gray Shelby. Awesome car!