So What?

I don't care for the 2010 changes, but his posts don't bother me, as a matter of fact, I appreciate him providing the information.

What exactly is your problem with his posts? Because you complaining about them is basically the inverse of his posts amped up to the next level?

 

Not to seem **** retentive or anything, but S-197 is the model name. D2C is the chassis/platform that it's based on.

As for why I believe so many refer to the 71-73's as bloated whales, is due that Ford swayed away from the Mustang's original Pony Car roots ala 64 1/2-70, and in the end became too large for it's own good.

Even though I personally liked the car's overall looks, I'd never want to own one for the simple reason. You just could not see out the rear glass, which needless to say was not only intimidating enough, but also dangerous as hell, due to blind spots to say the least.


Therefore, that was more than reason enough for me.

 

Well as I stated, I learned to drive in a Yellow and Black 73 Mach 1, and Never had a Problem with a Safety Issue as I Learned to drive using my Mirrors as You are Supposed To. I actually took my First Driving Test in that same car and Passed with a Perfect Score, Including Parallel Parking that "Bloated Whale" on the first attempt! I'm not bragging but the Woman at the License Agency said She Had Never Had Anyone Pass with a Perfect Score, and she had been there 10 years. OK so I'm bragging.

BTW, Thanks BlackGT500

 

His posts don't bother me... never said they did. Just saying that he's completely pro-2010, that's all. Why are you making a big deal out of nothing?

 

Why are you making a big deal out of the fact that he's pro-2010 in the "2010 Mustang" section of these forums? How dare he!

 

I'm not making a big deal at all.

 

The Mustang II was a product of it's times. Cars like the Datsun 240Z, Toyota Celica and imported Capri were new to the market and popular with buyers. Success of the Pinto and the enthusiasm for the imported Capri lead Ford to develop the Mustang II which was sporty, economical and affordable. Ford even listened to a female stockholder who viewed her concerns that the Mustang was overgrown and wanted it restored to something economical and smaller.

Also, GM was developing a Wankel engine at the time which would be feautured in a smaller sporty Vega-based car competitive with the new popular import offerings. That resulted in the Chevy Monza which was originally considered as a replacement for the Camaro wearing the Camaro name. However the Wankel engine program was cancelled due to cost and engineering complications and the Monza ended up with conventional engines. It also spawned identical siblings for Buick, Olds and Pontiac.

After the first gas crisis, traditional pony cars lost popularity to smaller economical cars. The only traditional Ponycar left in 1975 was the Camaro. The Camaro and Firebird regained popularity after the movie Smokey and The Bandit appeared and the Z28 was restored to the Camaro line in 1978. Since engines were bogged down in horsepower in an era of emission controls and 55 MPH speed limit laws, buyers were attracted through flashy graphics and trim combinations more than pure muscle. This accounts for the Cobra II and King Cobra as cosmetic competitors to the Trans Am and Z28.

The Mustang II was not as bad a car as some people like to make it out to be. The Mustang II body and chassis was engineered with all new parts save for one piece of the rear floorpan shared with the Pinto. Much of the drivetrain, rear suspension and some standard parts was shared with the Pinto. The Mustang II engines were mounted on a unique isolated subframe which the Pinto did not have. The Mustang II also had rack and pinion steering for the first time. The engine was of course the same 2.3 liter design found in the Pinto and many European Fords. The 2.8 liter V6 engine was the same as the one offered in the Capri. By demand for 1975 the 302 V8 was shoehorned in while being competitive with the Chevy Monza which offered a 305 V8. Interior quality and design of the Mustang II clearly emulated larger Fords and Thunderbirds of the time.

Styling of the Mustang II is of course is subjective. It will never be considered the greatest. Stylewise the Mustang II had body shapes and forms which looked out of scale and awkward with its small wheels, wheel openings and short wheelbase. The 71-73 Torino fastbacks had similar body designs and looked better on a grander scale.

 

So basically we agree.

 

I really liked the styling of my '76 Cobra II. And the Cologne V6 was a pretty good engine, when not bogged down by CA emission controls as mine was.

What got me was the snappy-loose chassis. Literally. Almost put me down a 150' ravine in upstate NY. Wound up upside down against the mountain on the inside of the curve, instead. Pure luck...

 

First of all, I'm fully aware that your supposed to use your mirrors when driving, however that wasn't my point. As I mentioned before, my reason for being intimated by the 71-73's was due to their larger size, including lack of rear visibility.

Despite relying mostly upon my side mirrors, I also rely upon my rear view mirror, in which your also supposed to use as well. Thus it's purpose for being there to begin with.

Therefore, those were the only 2 concerns I had. Other than that, they were indeed very nice looking cars.

Besides, if I had wanted a full size car. I would've purchased either a 64 Galaxy 500XL, or 68/69 Fairlane/Torino. Perhaps even a 69 Mercury Cyclone as well.

 

You Mean Like These?








Oh The Good Old Disco Days! Sigh....

 

Same here.