The next full makeover for the Mustang is just around the corner i think 2012? So if this is going to be a short model run I think Ford can afford to take risks. If a more modernized, less retro car doesn't sell as well i'm sure the next gen car will be retro again. Either way i'm excited I wish automakers had restyles every 2-3yrs like in the past. If Ford made a new Mustang every two years how much more would our 79-08 Mustangs stand out on the streets...... It seems that while the fox and early sn95s are starting to fade away the streets, they still are full of the last two styles. In my neighborhood it seems like their are more 05-08 cars than 99-04 cars!

 

 

97GT03SVT: Well, OK, since you DID ask...
To me, there are only four true Mustangs in which the DNA rings true, listed chronologically:
The '65 fastback
The '67 fastback
The '69 fastback
The '05 fastback
I don't get off on convertibles or notchbacks--although back in '64 there were only convertibles and notchbacks, and I liked the notchbacks fine at the time...
By my preference: The '05 fastback, followed by the '65 fastback, followed by the '69 fastback, followed by the '67 fastback. I'm talkin' factory vehicles--Shelby G.T. 350s of '65 through '67 are special cases and deserve individual postings of their own.

The '71s thru '73s were the worst Mustangs of all time--porkers that should have been the Torinos of those three years.
Beginning with the '71s, Mustangs wandered in the styling wilderness for 34 years until Hau Tai (Mus)Tang delivered Mustangs into The Promised Land with the S197s of Model Year 2005--the most beautiful and best engineered Mustangs of all time!

Now, light could be seen on the horizon of the wilderness with the New Edge Mustangs of which you speak, and the MY 2000 Cobra Rs deserve an exalted place in Mustang history--the greatest Mustang up to that point in time. I didn't like their puckered ******* grilles, but the New Edge Mustangs were clearly a step in the right direction.

OK, have I pontificated enough yet?

 

The next full makeover for the Mustang. Is not just around the corner, as I've stated before. The next major platform change, won't take place until during the 2015 model year, as a 2014.5 launch. As Ford is not about to launch an all new Mustang, just 2 years before reaching it's 50th anniversary !

 

Ford stated a while back that the 2010 Mustang would take on a more angular, sharp-edged look over the straighter, simpler lines of the '05-'09. It's natural evolution to bring the car up to more modern appeal. And it will probably take some time to get used to it as the s197 style is so fresh in our minds. And remember, we're really only commenting on the base model. Ford can easily dress the car for the occasion of Boss, Mach, GT350 or whatever, by adding scoops, spoilers, slats, shaker hood, aggresive wheels, blacked-out hood, to give the car a whole different look all together. Give it time. Ford will do it right (again).........

 

Am I missing something? I've noticed a bunch of folks who are a bit apprehensive about the 2010 Mustang's design. Where are the spy shots that show more than a HEAVILY-camouflaged mule, both interior and exterior? If such photos do not exist, I don't see how anyone can make any judgment on the new Mustang based on what's currently been shown (cool headlight!)

 

I think that it will be difficult to top the S197. I agree with those here that it is a good combo of modern engineering function and Mustang DNA. It has the appearance cues that I like the most of the 67-70 model years. I like the interior and have learned to love the IP. For me, they just need to add Sync and audio controls on the wheel -- then it will be nirvana. I'd also like an 18x9 wheel and 4 piston brake upgrade. It's just a shame to have to get rid of your factory polished bullits to get 4 piston front calipers -- or else have to use spacers. I'm interested in seeing the 10's -- but plan on keeping my 08 until I'm saving my social security checks to get some real gas to take a ride with the top down.

 

it'll be VERY difficult for Ford to have lightning strike TWICE.

the S197 is a revolutionary design. shocked the sport coupe market since '05.

very very hard for Ford to do that again...

 

Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. The way Ford delays new models, the 2020 Mustang will probably still be on the D2C platform.

 

Actually that wouldn't be such a bad thing. As I really see nothing wrong with the D2C platform. And if I had my way, I wouldn't change it at all.

 

so would you consider this refresh kinda like the 98 to 99 models were? they had the basics the same on the cars except for the exterior looked more "aggressive" than the 94-98. i have had each one since 1994 and i think they look good. im sure with today's technology, they can refresh a car every 2 years and not have to totally re-design it from the ground up. not sure weather i will get the 2010 model or wait for the 2014.5 i still need a SUV to replace my ford escape in about 5 years....ill need to save more $$$$ !!!!

 

I'm not so much apprehensive because of what I have or haven't seen but rather because of the fact they're changing the S197 at all. I don't want to see them ruin a good thing...

 

Exactly. Next thing we know the S197 is going to have three huge horizontal chrome bars across the grille.

 

In my honest opinion. the 2010 re-fresh will be very similar to the SN-95 re-fresh from 98 to 99. The only difference as far as body panel changes are concerned. Is this time around were also getting hips, but the basic body style will remain the same. So there's really no need to worry about Ford ruining the S-197, as it's only evolving and not being replaced.

Heck even the 1st generation Mustangs evolved, and yet they were still just as muscular and aggressive looking

 

Dude, you make it sound as though Ford is replacing the current S-197. Well rest assure you have nothing to worry about. As our S-197's are just getting a re-fresh, and not a total makeover. Even the 1st generation Stangs had hips, and yet they still looked muscular. If anything, the 2010 will look even more muscular and aggressive, and not the other way around.

 

Only time will tell. Hopefully we'll all find out soon enough.

 

Some might say that lightning has already struck twice, since the S197 styling drew from the originals of the 60s.

 

And while were at it, think about this. The Mustang II was actually the very first that took many of it's design cues, from 1st generation models. But never the less, the Mustang II was nothing more than a Pinto with a longer wheelbase, and also fugly as sin. Heck it's a miracle that it even lasted 4 years lol.

Say what you will about the Fox Mustangs, but the fact remains. if it hadn't been for the 14 year success of the Fox Bodies. There would be no SN-95 nor S-197 Mustangs in existence today. But instead, we would all be driving around in Probes. Thank goodness that enthusiasts such as ourselves had the courage to petition Ford to save the Mustang from such a fate.

As for bashing the SN-95. Perhaps you should look over the last paragraph once again. In which I clearly stated, that I actually liked the SN-95 re-fresh in 99, and also agreed with V-10's post. I just didn't like the rounded/swoopy look of those early SN-95's from 94-98.

However on the other hand. I'll agree that the Fox bodies, could pass for longer wheel based Escorts though

 

Thats for sure. I just wish we didn't have to wait for another full year.

 

Ok luckily for Ford your not the only Mustang enthusiast because they would have gone out of production after 69'. I'm not trying to pick an argument here but if you are talking about mean and agressive looks the 71' Mach/ Boss cars where way more meaner looking than the 65-67 cars! I love almost every Mustang with the exception of the Mustang II and some early Foxes but out of the original cars the 65-66 models were by far the least agressive looking an don't appair all that sporty outside of the fastback. Also, again I must say you guys are getting a little out of hand with the 05 car. I mean yeah its nice but I don't automatically think it's the greatest looking Mustang ever! I bet by the end of it's production it wont match the production numbers of the 99-04 run. You talk about "styling wilderness"? Since the classic era the car has won car of the year twice (not the S197 Car either) and paced the indy 500 with both the fox and sn95.... Sorry to go off here but i hate it when people only consider the classic years as the "true Mustangs" what are the others? fakes?