I think that's the whole idea of retro design. Think about it....if the Mustang had continued throughout its history without going a different styling direction from the original, would it be fair to call the '05 model a "retro" design? And I think that's the whole reason for the '05s success, being the fact that it was the first time in almost 40 years that the Mustang had styling similar to the early cars.

 

Okay, but you have to admit that the Mustang II looks more like it has more in common with the Maverick than the any generation of the Mustang (other than the Mustang II, obviously!)

 

The Maverick was actually considered as a possible replacement for the Mustang including carrying on the Mustang name.

 

The Mustang II was originally intended to share the Maverick's platform, but the Maverick itself was created to replace the outgoing Falcon, not the Mustang.

 

Retaining the original design cues of the Mustang was much less a concern in the 1970's as the cars were not considered classic and the buying public generally expected major changes from year to year or generation to generation. Today we hold the original designs as what epitomizes the Mustang so there is great consideration now to retain those design cues that make a Mustang instantly recognizable as a Mustang. At lot of the new Mustang's appeal is deeply rooted in the desire for many to own a classic model. If a person cannot afford a restored one or does not have the desire to restore one, or if simply modern safety, technology and feautures are perferred then the new Mustang fits the bill.

 

Great post.

 

Agree with Aaron. Well put...

 

Once again Aaron, your absolutely 100% right on the money.

 

I still think he was justified in his approach by saying, "I have been studying car design and history since before you were born."
1st... You post like a twenty something except with better spelling. (childish attitude)
2nd... You are already misquoting watchdevil. ("they had been studying Mustang history and design since BEFORE I WAS BORN." He never said Mustang)
3rd... I have been studying car design and history since before you were born (you have stated that you are under 45 previously) and I am not 65 yet.
You sir, have problems, and none of them are associated with math.
I am not trying to start a fight, only point out how you appear to others.
Do with it as you may.

 

If I had a dollar for every time someone's told me that, I could buy myself something really nice.

Maybe a pack of gum. Or a nice hot cup of coffee.

 

Exactly. Thus the popularity of the '05 design. My whole point was to illustrate that there wouldn't be such a thing as a retro design if it had stayed basically the same over the years. I love the retro craze, but I know it's got to end some time. In my opinion, the beginning of the end just started with the introduction of the 2010 model. It now looks like a modern version of a pseudo retro theme. I was hoping Ford wouldn't do that to the styling. But then again, where do you go from retro styling? Repeat history or go with a more modern styling theme?

 

Your entire post failed. Too much wrong to even try to correct, so I'll let it lie and you can think whatever you want to think.

 

See, that's the thing. You either leave it alone and let it stagnate (see the Fox), follow the same progression the original design did (gargantuan '71-'73 proportions, a definite no-no nowadays) or take what we have and start modernizing.

The latter of which I think is the only sensible move. Thus, I think the 2010 is right where it should be.

 

Personally, I think you deserve much better than just a pack of gum, or a nice hot cup of coffee Aaron. So how about a nice cold one, instead.

 

I don't drink, but make it a Jones Soda and we'll call it even

 

 

You've got it.

 

 

That's he MAIN reason I fell so hard for the 05-09 because we finally got a modern interpretation of a 60's classic Mustang. In my eyes, the 05-09 style has been regulated to mimicking the '65 models; an easy and simple style, while the '10 gets the nod for the more aggressive '69 models... My favorite!

 

I'm with you. I've always thought of the '05 as a great modern interpretation of the '64.5-'68 model years.

The 2010 mixes the original styling cues with some '69 and '70 references, but can never be a full re-interpretation of those 2 cars as it doesn't have the revised side window line. As we've become so used to the '05s, the 2010 was never going to have the same impact and many seem to feel the "original" '05 (if you can call it that) has been messed with. Still, the 2010 has many, many styling cues pulled from the early cars and can still stand alone as a great looking car.

Am I completely happy with the 2010? No. But then I have my dream Mustang in my mind and, lottery win aside, it'll never become a reality. Therefore, I accept the 2010 for what it is, and I'm sure, with familiarity, some of the contentious styling (such as the rear end) will become accepted.

BTW, my dream Mustang would be much more of a homage to the '69 - much as the new Challenger is to the '70 version, taking inspiration from that single model year as opposed to melding inspiration from several years.