I got to thinking on my trip home yesterday (a rare feat indeed).

We have been saying that the greenhouse will stay the same just like the 98-99 change did.

This does not have to be the case. The two cars manufacture the rear quarter differently. The 94-04 MY's lower rear quarter was a seperate piece from the outer upper quarter (plastic finishing panel).
The 05 up greenhouse is connected to the rear quarter, so if the rear quarter is changing (hips) then we could easily expect quarter window size/shape change (flow with hip, smaller to accomodate hip, 69-70??)

I just hadn't thought about this before.

 

Yeah the quarter window could be different but i think this would still be considered the same greenhouse since the front and rear windows will be identical still.

 

LOL, I was thinking this a couple of weeks back but forgot to mention it. I do wonder if the rear side window will shrink a little (maybe not quite as small as the Giugiaro concept though).

 

A change in the quarter window would definitly be a good thing in my mind. Theres not much room for a hip without changing something up there.

I've noticed that they've been covering that part of the roof on all the camo'd cars so I wouldn't be surprised if it was different.

 

Just to add to the mystery, the car is manufactured as a bodyside, not as an individual quarter, I do believe.

 

I don't like that body line on the orange car entering the top of the door. the 'hip' should end before the door IMO

 

Although I totally agree with the rear quarter, changing (hips) I don't think were going to see an actual quarter window shape change. But instead, the current tri-angular shape will carry over. Except this time around, the windows will be smaller in size. Similar to the 67-68 rear quarter vents.

 

The greenhouse is one of the most expensive things to change on a car. Do not expect much of anything to change. Since the next Mustang will only last a few production years Ford cannot spend a lot of dollars changing the greenhouse.

 

I agree, don't think the greenhouse is changing - the camo is there just to create the illusion of a change

 

I think there is a misconception here.

I keep hearing that the green house is the most expensive thing to change. While this may be partially try, it is not accurate. the greenhouse consists of many parts (the glass, not expensive, the rear quarter panel (or bodyside) already changing, the roof panel, not expensive, and the inner structure (rings or loops) this is for structural security and rollover protection, very expensive. Unless you see white bodies getting welded together frequently, people tend to forget that the outer panels supply barely, if any, structure to the vehicle, they are mainly for show. Most of the sheet metal on cars these days is little more then foil. Seriously we had to wear kevlar gloves to keep from slicing our fingers off when checking panels for quality.

While I agree that it is unlikely that a major structural change will be made to the greenhouse, it is very possible that the sheet metal on the A pillar and combo B/C pillar could change. This change could very easily include an entirely different window. Non of these changes would cost any more then changing another panel on the car. Only portions of the stamping dies may need modification or changing.

Basically as long as the structural components don't have to change, then the rest is just cosmetic.

No we will not see a faster back, but 69 windows are entirely possible (I hoping not, but possible). I definitely agree that with hips a smaller qtr window would be best. Only time will tell.

 

It woule be very easy to change up the side window size and/or profile...

One Piece stamped:

 

Maybe they will be Louvers instead of windows

 

Don't count on it. As in safety and blind spot concerns.

 

I've recently spoken with someone, who's a very reliable source. That has stated, the re-styled S-197 will continue, until at least 2014..

 

I won't impune your source, and I do believe that 2014 may be the target for this generation's retirement, but it won't continue past 2014. Three reasons:

1. Ford's accelerating their product cycle to 3 years from 5->whever they felt like.

2. The last generation did not exceed 10 years

3. Assuming they carry on long term, the Camaro and challenger will both be getting their mid-life updates in or even before 2014.

 

I didn't say that it would continue past 2014. I said that it will continue, until at least 2014. Meaning up until then.

As the all new model, will either be out as a 2014.5 or 2015 thus celebrating the Mustang's 50th anniversary.

And although Ford plans to accelerate their product cycle, to 3 years from 5.

Who's to say, when that will actually take place.

As their not about to release an all new Mustang. Just 2-3 years shy of reaching it's 50th anniversary !

 

I think they are changing it, why else would they have the side of it camoed so thick?

 

Spooky, this is taken from Leftlane News!

Many of the design cues found on the Mustang Giugiaro concept are said to be making their way onto the prodction Mustang, including the show car's wide rear haunches, shoulder hump just aft of the doors and triangular shaped windows between the B and C pillars

http://www.leftlanenews.com/next-gen...t-engines.html

 

Maybe see through louvers like on Giugiaro concept? They could make SHR the supplier

 

That wouldn't surprise me. Other than the 1st generation, every Mustang genearation has ended up hanging around a lot longer than anyone expected or would believe.