Mustang Makeover: What Does Ford Have In Mind?
Cobra Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 1,188
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From: Milwaukee, WI
I don't remember what magazine it was in, but in one of the first road tests I read when the S197 came out in 05 I distinctly remember a passage where the writer said that despite the fact that the car didn't say "Mustang" on it anywhere, and the name Ford only appears once, on the trunk medallion, you just knew as soon as you saw it that it was a Ford Mustang. I think the exact quote goes something like:
"this is simply what a Mustang looks like. It certainly won't be mistaken for anything else."
My hope with the MY15, is that it retains that characteristic. I don't think it has to be retro in order to do that. But it needs to be a Mustang. If people have to walk around behind it and read some little chrome letters that say "Ford Mustang" on the trunk to know what it is than I'll be very disappointed.
"this is simply what a Mustang looks like. It certainly won't be mistaken for anything else."
My hope with the MY15, is that it retains that characteristic. I don't think it has to be retro in order to do that. But it needs to be a Mustang. If people have to walk around behind it and read some little chrome letters that say "Ford Mustang" on the trunk to know what it is than I'll be very disappointed.
Member
Joined: November 14, 2011
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Ford Mustang Concept?
Whoa! Check this out Mustang Fans!
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...145308691.html
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoram...145308691.html
Last edited by David96GT; Apr 19, 2012 at 08:48 AM. Reason: adding pic
People don't know what they're talking about. The Mustang II was anything but a flop, selling well over a million units and better than Mustang had for several years prior. The supposed widespread "hatred" for the Mustang II back then is nonsense. I've said this before but the "all-American" Mustang was an effort by Ford to make an affordable, European-inspired (yes, European!) sporty car (muscle car? hah!), with some early-60s Lincoln Continental thrown in too. So odd how skewed people's views on the Mustang have become.
Like it or not, it sounds like we may have a contemporary, true "spiritual successor" to the original 1965 Mustang (and not simply just a car that mimics a 50 year old Mustang). I have reservations about abandoning the so-called "retro" look, but in some aspects, I do wonder if the car will be as "non-retro" as it might initially seem. Not so much in aesthetic design but in the philosophy behind it...
Like it or not, it sounds like we may have a contemporary, true "spiritual successor" to the original 1965 Mustang (and not simply just a car that mimics a 50 year old Mustang). I have reservations about abandoning the so-called "retro" look, but in some aspects, I do wonder if the car will be as "non-retro" as it might initially seem. Not so much in aesthetic design but in the philosophy behind it...
While the design will be less retro than the current one, that isn't to say that Ford is abandoning all Mustang design DNA to create some generic global coupe. The Evos design can readily accommodate being morphed into the 2015 Stang with several readily executed tweaks: stretch out the hood, deepen the grill, add scallops on sides, increase the "hips" a bit, add tri-tail-lights, and perhaps a few other tweaks and you would have an instantly recognizable yet fully modern Mustang.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 31, 2004
Posts: 3,045
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From: NYC
Bullitt Member
Joined: April 12, 2007
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I think the next generation of Mustang, is going to be a very radical change from what we've grown used too.....this could very well be something very close to what the next Mustang will look like. Ford engineers have said that they know they have to keep a few iconic and familiar Mustang styling cues intact....but to be a "global" car and have more sales appeal outside the U. S.. the Mustang is going to have to change in a big way.
Team Mustang Source
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From: NYC
GT Member
Joined: November 26, 2011
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Some of you guys have a lot more faith in Ford than I do.
Don't think for a minute that it isn't entirely possible for them to f*ck up the Mustang for a fare the well. Sure, they made the 1974 and they used the pollution/safety standards as an excuse. Fair enough. But they also made the 1958 T-Bird. Remember that? Remember how they took arguably the most iconic Ford ever made and destroyed it in what had to be the dumbest move in automotive history in making it a 4 seater. We all know history repeats itself.
Don't think for a minute that it isn't entirely possible for them to f*ck up the Mustang for a fare the well. Sure, they made the 1974 and they used the pollution/safety standards as an excuse. Fair enough. But they also made the 1958 T-Bird. Remember that? Remember how they took arguably the most iconic Ford ever made and destroyed it in what had to be the dumbest move in automotive history in making it a 4 seater. We all know history repeats itself.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 571
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From: Vancouver
I am totally optimistic, but then again I'm one of those open to change. I think the ones that are talking about how worried they are know that it can't stay retro forever.
Even though I have no idea what it will look like I base my optimism on the facts that we have now which are:
1. The current car is great looking and unbelievable from a performance standpoint.
2. The Evos is undeniably a beautiful car
3. Generally all recent new Ford products are some of the best looking cars period.
4. The commitment and quality with models like the Boss show that Ford is very aware of the car's heritage and following. (it is no bolt on and stripe package)
The current car has been around for a while with subtle updates, and it is no mystery what it's faults are. They will be addressed.
All of this points to the next model being a beautiful design that is faithful to the cars heritage and has amazing performance. What's to be afraid of?
Even though I have no idea what it will look like I base my optimism on the facts that we have now which are:
1. The current car is great looking and unbelievable from a performance standpoint.
2. The Evos is undeniably a beautiful car
3. Generally all recent new Ford products are some of the best looking cars period.
4. The commitment and quality with models like the Boss show that Ford is very aware of the car's heritage and following. (it is no bolt on and stripe package)
The current car has been around for a while with subtle updates, and it is no mystery what it's faults are. They will be addressed.
All of this points to the next model being a beautiful design that is faithful to the cars heritage and has amazing performance. What's to be afraid of?
Cobra Member
Joined: July 11, 2007
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Well the 4-seater "square" Thunderbirds sold very well, so obviously people didn't think it was such a dumb move back then. The Thunderbird was hardly "destroyed" by such a move. All you can expect Ford to do is try to determine what the market wants and correctly respond in kind. Now the Edsel is another story...
I've also wondered if we've been looking at this all wrong. In other words, perhaps the EVOS takes design cues from the 2015 Mustang rather than the other way around. Regardless, I guess the end result is the same. Of course that's assuming the rumors are true and the cars share any similarities at all.
I've also wondered if we've been looking at this all wrong. In other words, perhaps the EVOS takes design cues from the 2015 Mustang rather than the other way around. Regardless, I guess the end result is the same. Of course that's assuming the rumors are true and the cars share any similarities at all.
