I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. The prototypes had some EU flair, but not the production cars. However, you're right about Ford- they did consider the 3 series particularly the M3 when building the roaring BOSS version.

Regardless of all the speculation, the next Mustang will be smaller, most likely with IRS and be more fuel efficient.

 

Just for reference, here is a Maserati 3500GT ('57-'65) which shows a lot of design influence on the Mustang (long hood, similar proportions, much smaller size, hatchback, even the rear fender "fin", etc.):





I can't find any early to mid '60s American car that even looks close to the Mustang. That was part of the point of it and why it was so successful.

Sure, over the years the Mustang has come to be an American icon and have its own definitive style. But that doesn't mean it didn't start out (and continue to this day) to have European styling influences.

 

I will agree that the VERY FIRST Mustang prototype had some EU styling. . But, to be honest, I think that car looks more like the Ford Thunderbird than the Mustang of that era.

 

Umm... again, just for reference, this is the 1965 Thunderbird (like most American cars of the time -- big, 3-box, "jet-inspired" designs....)




Sure, LATER T-birds look like the Maserati -- partly because the Mustang started a trend for smaller, more European-inspired designs (which is a good thing in my book).

I was just saying the original Mustang started with European styling influences, and even the '05s when they "brought it back", so it is in the Mustang's DNA. Therefore, we should't be too surprised if the next, "more modern" Mustang has some European influences. Not that it should look like it rolled of a Bavarian showroom, or anything.

Anyway... it is pretty moot at this stage as it is probably pretty close to being finalized.

When it first comes out everyone will say they hate it and Ford ruined the brand and they are going to run out and by the last model year of the "good looking" Mustang and all that. Then, once they get used to it, they will say they love it and it is the best one yet. Happened for '05 and again for the '10 (well, except the rear -- that is still not very well loved ).

 

I was thinking more like the 1957 Thunderbird, but that would mean that Ford influenced them.

Regardless, we will all soon find out. To this day, I still don't like the SN95, so time doesn't change my feeling for it that much. I still like the FOX, and love the 1st gen S197.

Ford, if you're listening- SEND US SOMETHING!

 

I'll tell ya what amazed me still...it is how there have been thousands of cars designed over the years and for the most part, they remain distinctive because of a line here, a curve there. Even the Mustang IIs had tons of styling cues from earlier Mustangs. As long as Ford doesn't ape a Hyundai or something, the next Mustang will be awesome.

Note to Mercedes...if you are going to copy someone, or at least appear to, copy someone more upscale than Honda. The new C Class Coupe looks like an Accord Coupe...a 6 year old one at that.

And another thing...has anyone else noticed how the Mitsubishi Eclipse looks like a Porsche Boxster at night? Is it just me, or has anyone else been fooled because of where Mitsu placed the lights? Next time you see one at night, blur your eyes and see if you can spot a Boxster due to the light placement on the Eclipse. I am sure it was intentional and kudos for aping a more expensive ride.

 

HAHA. Very nice. Top ten phrases of the month!

There's a lot of styling copying right now. Anyone look at the new Hyundai models? I can almost tell you which car they copied on every model. From a finiancial standpoint, it makes sense to copy what is selling, but from a marketing standpoint, it doesn't make sense at all.

 

I don't mean to keep disagreeing with you today, but actually, from their (Hyundai/KIA) marketing standpoint, it makes perfect sense. Their whole point is trying to be Audi/Mercedes/Jaguar clones, but MUCH cheaper. Remember all the previous ad campaigns? It is a whole lot easier to say that when you actually look like the cars you are trying to copy.

 

True, except the Maserati also came out in '57.
That is actually my favorite T-bird, and seeing it again make think there is more T-bird styling cues in the Mustang than I thought

 

Okay - just so nobody says I am crazy, take a look at the pictures of the Eclipse next to the Boxster and you tell me if Mitsubishi copied the light placement on the Boxster...then I will stop hijacking the thread...

 

A lot of people seem to either forget this little aspect or don't seem to be aware of it to begin with. I always think it's funny when people say a modern Mustang rendering isn't "American" enough when it was pretty much a staple in Mustang design in the '60s to make the car look like a little European sportscar, albeit one that everyone could afford. Granted, as time moved along, Ford moved increasingly away from this idea ultimately resulting in those "love 'em or hate 'em" whales of the early '70s.

 

The original did derive its long hood short deck from European GT cars and it's size at the time was a nod to European cars and more specifically the European influenced Corvair. The '06 was an update of the '65-'66 and '67-'68 cars with proportions cribbed from the BMW (short overhangs, wheels pushed to corners) in an attempt to make it feel contemporary. My criticism of the BMW influence in the sketch was to the front and rear droop that stops current BMW coupes from being stunning designs, especially when compared to the Audi A5/S5.

 

What do you mean? You've been trying to bust my chops all day- LOL- just kidding. . Well, they are trying to be the cheaper luxury brand, and they are successful at it. HOWEVER, as a car guy I strongly frown upon it. I mean, think how ugly would cars get it all the manufacturers copied each other.

 

Not even going to mention that my Mustang ii was designed in Italia, has a Japaneese engine and a German transmission

 

http://www.3cmc.org/weirdfacts.htm

Science Fact: The Original Mustang Was Styled After...
“If you’ll look at the side view, the original Mustang is nothing more than a scaled-down Continental Mark II,” says Charles Phaneuf, who in 1962 was exterior stylist for the Ford Advanced Studio, which came up with the winning design for the original Mustang. ”Nobody has really picked up on this, but that’s basically what the proportions are.” The actual modeling of the car took 11 days. Some unsung heroes are Walter Amrozi (retired to Florida); George Shoemaker, instrumental in the original small mouth on the front end; and Max Kruger (retired), the studio engineer.

 

 

Time to bump this thread back to the top. This is my feeble attempt to transform the EVOS Concept into a Mustang. Apart from the c-scoop, I was going for a '69-'70 inspired look. I didn't attempt it, but if the gas cap stayed on the c-pillar, it'd be neat if it had the black, running Mustang emblem to mimic the old '69 sportsroof medallions. I'm a n00b at photo editing so I'd love to see what someone more capable could do...

 

Nice work!

 

I hope they go the way of the Fox-body Mustang and do something that is completely new and the only homage it pays to the classics is maybe a running pony somewhere on the car. Think about it, the fox body was a huge success for Ford, but looked nothing like any of the Mustangs that came before it.

I own a 2010 GT500 and a 1965 fastback currently and have owned various other Mustangs through the years and I, for one, would like to see something truly "new" for the car.

 

Tweaked EVOS