windsor202

Sometime in the late 60's Ford made the decision that their everyday performance car, the Mustang GT, would be renamed the Mach 1. With an all new bodystyle, more powerful engine lineup, Ford decided the 1969 model year needed a more exciting name to replace the GT. Do you think with the emergence of the Coyote V8, and the six speed transmission, and more than a passing resemblence to the 69/70 model year, now might be a good time for Ford to re-introduce the Mach 1 as the replacement to the GT? This would create quite a stir, and in this economy that would be a good thing.
I think there are plenty of SE options out there without the Mach 1. The Mach 1 would once again be a worthy succesor of the GT signifying the importance of the performance upgrade, and it would generate showroom excitment!

Boomer

Short answer...no

coffeejolts

I'll answer with a simple fact: there is no f in way.

windsor202

Short question....Why?

theedge67

not going to happen. They might as well rename the Mustang the Quarter Horse, or Palomino. What sense would that make?

windsor202

What is the basis of this fact?

windsor202

I'm not suggesting the car be renamed, I'm suggesting the possibility that the GT be replaced by the Mach 1 as it was in 1969, especially since there would be dramatic improvments in performance.

theedge67

I'm saying the GT is as much a part of the Mustang as the name "Mustang" is to the car. If they replace the GT, they might as well rename it too.

1 COBRA

Why would Ford restrict a high performance Mustang and associate it to a model synonymous to the quarter mile of 40 years ago?

crescent_wrench

Tough crowd

windsor202

Steve, you may be right. GT is synonymous with Mustang, but so is Mach 1. Ford made the Mustang Mach 1 their base performance car in 1969, after all the great history with the GT. Ford has paid a lot of Homage to the
Mustang Legacy over the years, especially the first generation.
The 2011 Mustang Mach 1. From a marketing standpoint, it worked before.

theedge67

The difference I see is that in 1969 the Mustang had a few short years of "GT" history. Now the "GT" has 45 years of history with the Mustang nameplate. To get rid of the "GT" for ANY other name would be a mistake on Ford's part I believe. Not that they couldn't augment the line with a Mach1 model, that would be sweet...just not replace the GT.

nitecrawler27

Mach 1, GT i dont think it would affect ford if they replaced the name. Theyve done it in the past. Sometimes to sell a product you just have to rename it and i dont see why it would hurt ford if they change "gt" to "Mach1"... Its not like they would name it something that has nothing to do with mustangs history. You have people today trying to replicate the mach1 with their s197's. I would actually like to see the name "cobra" come back. Not "Super Snake", "GT500" "shelby GT", just bring back the "cobra" name...

1 COBRA

The Mach 1 worked before due to it being a limited production such as in 2003. By the end of the summer and before the 2004 production started there were rebates offered for it by Ford.

The GT is the meat and potatoes for the Mustang enthusiast and most coveted and popular of all the Mustang models. Sales have a lot to do with with name recognition. If Mulally comes up with the suggestion he best make sure he informs the marketing department on April Fools Day, just in case the jest is taken seriously.

cdynaco

Not necessarily... look at Ford's New Sedan... the Taurus SHO.

windsor202

This car is being marketed against the Camaro and Challenger. No offense to anyone, but I don't think "GT" instills the fear in anyone. 315hp after 45 years? Ford is coming out with a car that is a quantum leap in a base performance model over anything it has done before, should a new name reflect this dramatic change?

I've owned a 1967 coupe, a 1968 convertible, a 2000 GT and a 2001 Cobra convertible. I do love mustangs.

nitecrawler27

Thats why i said "sometimes"... i highly doubt though that they'll change it though. They havent had any problems selling the Mustang GT so i guess why mess around with the name at all. BUT, it would be nice if they bring back the mach 1 though

AGBULLIT

I expect the 5.0 badge will replace the GT emblems on the side but the GT emblem will remain on the rear medallion.

1 COBRA

Neither does hauling 4,000 pounds.

2010MustangGT

Before everyone harasses him for saying something so outlandish...
there is a sentiment of truth behind his points.
Let us look at the similarities...

• Mopar was selling the behemoth 426 Hemi's and 440 Magnums, Chevy was offering COPO and Yenko 427's, Oldsmobile was pushing the 455 Rocket.
  2011- Chevy already has the huge engine, Dodge is offering new specs (475hp) for 2011, and Mustang most certainly uping their end.

• The Mustang was completely restyled for 69.
  2010- Same thing.

• 1969 The car was longer and more aggressive looking.
  2010- Looks more aggressive IMO

• Ford introduced the potent Boss 429 "semi-hemi" and the Boss 302.
  2010- They've rumored the boss hardcore

• 1969 They also added a new 250-1V 6 cylinder
  2011 - New, higher powered 6 cylinder

• 1969 added two new Windsor 351-2V and 351-4V engines to the line-up.
  2010- we've talked about ecoboost as another potential add in

So is it a 'similar' (and i use that word lightly) situation? Yes.
Will it happen? I'm afraid not.