Yah, I agree with you on the mechanical aspects, and a true fastback styling would certainly be SWEEET!! Nevertheless, I am very happy with the looks of this car.

Rather than preparing myself to trade it in at the drop of a hat for the LATEST and GREATEST, I will continue modding it into the car I want it to be.

If I can help it, I will never sell this car. If anything, I will only add more ponies to my stable down the road.

 

I have no intentions of trading mine either. I'll keep the '05 and get the '10. The more the merrier !

 

I'm with you Wolfsburg - from 71-04 Mustangs didnt even exist to me. I love my 08, love the exterior, love the interior. If this is close to what a 2010 would look like, I dont see myself upgrading.

 

Nothing would please me more than having a true 67-68 style fastback. However a true fastback would not look right on the S-197, as both the greenhouse, and rear would end up looking way too tall, and butt heavy.

Another factor to bear in mind, is due to rear visibility issues, along with much stricter liability regulations. Chances of seeing a true 67-70 style fastback, are pretty much slim to none.

That being said, it's also pretty safe to assume, if we don't see a true fastback by the next major platform change (GRWDP) We can also assume that the good ole days of the true fastback, will become nothing more than just a thing of the past !

 

hmmm,

someone remade an S197 into a fastback. I remember seeing the pics, just can't remember where. Didn't look too shabby...

 

I believe you're referring to the Kenny Brown CSR-69 concept, which is now known as the Boss 69 concept. However as I stated in my previous post, both the greenhouse and rear, visually look way too tall and butt heavy. In which IMO just doesn't look right, nor look anything like a true 67-68 style fastback.

At any rate: here's some pics of the Boss 69 concept.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't be opposed to Ford redesigning the greenhouse to make a fastback possible. I'm not that averse to change...

 

i dont know about yall, but i really like those boss 69 concepts, i wish ford would come uo with something along those lines for the upcoming stang.

 

You're the only one.
Anything, including the S197 Mustang can be improved.

 

No he's not. I don't think anyone's saying it can't be improved, but it looks pretty stinkin' good as-is...

 

I don't think hes the only one, and if that is the '10, the only thing I'd be thrilled with would be the new drivetrain. The exterior design is a downgrade.

 

Styling, and the appreciation of, is in the eye of the beholder. When we finally see the '10 (and don't forget, this isn't it, it's just a Photoshop), some will prefer it to the '05-'09, some will prefer the current car. There's no right or wrong here, it's all personal preference.

For me, the current car stands alone as a great design, just as all the previous generations do. I prefer a '69 to a '70, but it doesn't mean the '69 is the better design, it just hits the spot for me. Just as many will prefer the '70.

I really hope I like the 2010, I'm I'm pretty confident I will. Whether I prefer it to my current car..........only time will tell.

In my opinion, we should welcome it to the stable. It will be the next chapter of a great legend.

 

Agreed.

Personally, IMHO, that design - if accurate - looks

 

Although I'm totally with you 100%, we all know that Ford isn't going to redesign the greenhouse, until the next platform change arrives. (GRWDP)

Just as I mentioned before, if we don't get a true 67-68 style fastback by then. We can pretty much assume that the good ole days of the true fastback, will become nothing more than just a thing of the past !

 

I think Ford hit the ball out of the park with the S197.

Now if I was in charge of the design, besides hips, the only change to the body would be to get that God-awful third brake light off of the trunk. It totally ruins the clean retro look of the rear. It needs to be tucked up at the top of the rear glass.

Some of the stick-on duck tails can sort of cover it up - but I am tempted to just have it filled in and get one of the CDC brake light relocation kits...

 

The new Mustangs are great but it's true there are some of the smallest things that could have been more integrated or better designed. I agree the 3rd brake light could have been hidden in the rear window. Another beef I have is the wiper jets on the hood. If you notice as it sprays it leaves the hood wet. A better design would have placed them on the cowl at the base of the windshield. The interior design has virtually all of us having to buy aftermarket dress-up parts to finish off the interior. The fender mount antenna has to go. This is 2008 not 1968.

As far as hips go, I am not as crazy about them as some of you are. They have their place on a classic car, but I think I prefer the clean straight beveled lines.

Ford probably isn't going to do a lot of refinement until the next generation platform comes along. Hopefully they will think about every detail.

 

It would be interesting to see if Ford could pull the 1967-68 style fastback again. In my neighborhood, there is an old Mercury Cyclone fastback in a medium turqiouse that looks stunning. You all of course know it's a virtual twin to the Torino of the same years. Anyway, Ford made some great fastbacks up to 1973. In 1970, Ford offered fastback bodystyles for all it's cars including the Thunderbird and XL. The Australian Falcon XT also carried a great fastback coupe roofline.

 

The reason the third brake light is in the trunk is so there's no difference in third brake light or trunklid between coupe and convertible. Its all the same piece.

If it was in the rear window, you'd need to make a nerdy attachment for the convertible ( see Chrysler LeBaron ) which would look bad and add extra cost that could be put to much better use elsewhere.

 

Good point Stangsimon. I also agree on the need to relocate the windshield washer jets. It really breaks the hood up. As well as the fender antenna. Maybe Ford will think of these things this time around. Here's hoping they read the forums.

 

First of all, when I mentioned 67-68 style fastback. I interpreted that as meaning similar to as in inspired, and not literally. As I'm also fully aware, this is 2008 and not 1968.

However according to your quote, you're all in favor of finding out to see if Ford can pull off the 67-68 style fastback again.

But then you claim that hips only have their place on a classic car, but not on the 2010 refresh.

So if what you quoted, is accurate. Then a 67-68 style fastback, is also just as out of place, as hips.

Although you may not be crazy about hips, as most of us are. Never the less, the S-197 design is indeed classic car inspired, hence the word (retro)

Therefore hips have just as much a place, as those 1st generation cars of the classic car era. Otherwise Ford would not include them on the 2010 refresh, nor would GM and Dodge include them on their upcoming 2010 Camaro, and 2009 Challenger respectively.

BTW: those great fastback bodystyles you mentioned. All of them also had hips as well !