Like The Looks Of The GT500
I do really like the styling of the GT500. It is very thoughtfully and intelligently done, eschewing the all too usual styling crutches of overdone fake scoops, spoilers, slats, bumps, lumps, bulges and any other manner of cheap tack-on ornamentation. Rather, it is at once restrained yet clearly indicative of its underlying power and performance. The GT500 clearly shows some maturity in its styling rather than a teen-age, slap on a bunch of performance cliches ethic.
The nose is nearly spot on and much better integrated than the Stang GT's. All the elements of the grill, lights, lower intake and whatnot cohere and integrate much better than the GT's nose. It is at once a cleaner, simpler design yet more powerful and commanding.
The hood is not unlike the previous Cobras in overall approach, a clean, functional design once again deviod of hoary old performance styling cliches.
The black out rocker panels reduce the visual depth and heft of the side views, lending a longer. lower, leaner look. They thankfully resisted the urge for adolescent dumbo-ear side scoops -- given that they would not be functional -- and left the more artistic scallops as is.
The back end is also cleanly done, with a well integrated and quite functional "duck tail" spoiler, a vast improvement over the GT's useless and utterly generic spoiler. I might have hoped for some more distinctiveness in terms of wider Mustang Concept type tail lights, but given the lack of overreaching goofiness, I am willing to leave well enough alone.
The wheels are nice, if a touch generic BBS in look. Perhaps something a bit more distinctive would have been nice, but these certainly suffice well.
As for the interior, that too is generally well and thoughtfully done, avoiding cheap glitter and bling-bling for a more serious, functional, performance oriented look. The leather covering of the dash and other panels goes far to cover up the somewhat hard and cheap plastic necessitated by the low price point of the base and GT models. The steering wheel might benefit from a bit more "pop," perhaps use a satin metal finish on the various buttons or something. I might have preferred a bit better in the seats, something along the lines of the Recaros used in various imports (EVO, GTi) and even some older Fox era Stangs. The contrasting stitching color is a nice subtle touch.
Overall, the GT500 strikes me as a very good styling upgrade over the base and GT Mustangs, giving it enough oomph to clearly convey its performance without falling into overwraught styling cliches and clownishness the afflicts too many such efforts, domestic and foreign. Certainly if one simple needs circus-come-to-town ostentatiousness, there are a gizzillion aftermarket companies willing to help tart-up the Stang. But at least that can be done at the owners own discretion, or lack thereof.
The nose is nearly spot on and much better integrated than the Stang GT's. All the elements of the grill, lights, lower intake and whatnot cohere and integrate much better than the GT's nose. It is at once a cleaner, simpler design yet more powerful and commanding.
The hood is not unlike the previous Cobras in overall approach, a clean, functional design once again deviod of hoary old performance styling cliches.
The black out rocker panels reduce the visual depth and heft of the side views, lending a longer. lower, leaner look. They thankfully resisted the urge for adolescent dumbo-ear side scoops -- given that they would not be functional -- and left the more artistic scallops as is.
The back end is also cleanly done, with a well integrated and quite functional "duck tail" spoiler, a vast improvement over the GT's useless and utterly generic spoiler. I might have hoped for some more distinctiveness in terms of wider Mustang Concept type tail lights, but given the lack of overreaching goofiness, I am willing to leave well enough alone.
The wheels are nice, if a touch generic BBS in look. Perhaps something a bit more distinctive would have been nice, but these certainly suffice well.
As for the interior, that too is generally well and thoughtfully done, avoiding cheap glitter and bling-bling for a more serious, functional, performance oriented look. The leather covering of the dash and other panels goes far to cover up the somewhat hard and cheap plastic necessitated by the low price point of the base and GT models. The steering wheel might benefit from a bit more "pop," perhaps use a satin metal finish on the various buttons or something. I might have preferred a bit better in the seats, something along the lines of the Recaros used in various imports (EVO, GTi) and even some older Fox era Stangs. The contrasting stitching color is a nice subtle touch.
Overall, the GT500 strikes me as a very good styling upgrade over the base and GT Mustangs, giving it enough oomph to clearly convey its performance without falling into overwraught styling cliches and clownishness the afflicts too many such efforts, domestic and foreign. Certainly if one simple needs circus-come-to-town ostentatiousness, there are a gizzillion aftermarket companies willing to help tart-up the Stang. But at least that can be done at the owners own discretion, or lack thereof.
Cobra Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Once again, rhumb nails it!! I agree, there are many directions Ford could have taken with the GT500 and I certainly believe they made the right choices. The car looks agressive without being overdone, no fake scoops or tacked on spoilers. However, I would like to see a smoother, more integrated mirror design and a smoother ducktail would be sweet but those are just minor nits. Now, let's just hope Ford is smart enough not to make any changes to the production model.
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