Three Mustang YouTubers Weigh in on the New Mach 1

Not everyone is excited about next year’s Mach 1 being a GT350 replacement.

With the announcement of the new Mustang Mach 1, there has been a lot of discussion going around in the Mustang community. Everyone has an opinion—us included. YouTuber ThatDudeinBlue (AKA David Patterson) recorded a podcast with his friends CJ and Alex, both of whom owned or currently own this special Mustang. So, what do they think about it?

CJ owns a New Edge Mach 1. Back then, the Mach 1 slotted nicely in between the Mustang GT and the SVT Cobra. Like the Cobra, it was powered by a four-valve, all-aluminum Modular V8, but in normally aspirated form, making 305 horsepower. The Mach featured a ton of cool retro features, like the shaker hood scoop, Magnum 500-style wheels, throwback graphics, and a seriously awesome retro-modern interior.

As CJ says, “To be honest, it’s one of the cars that I’ve wanted ever since I was in high school when I first saw them.” In his opinion, the unique look of the ’03 and ’04 Mach 1 is what made it truly special. He doesn’t think that the 2021 version has that same visual impact when compared to the Mustang GT.

Just Not Different Enough

Alex had the same experience, as his second Mustang was a Competition Orange ’04 Mach. He also agrees that the new version just isn’t cutting it.

Looks aren’t the whole equation, though, and besides, everyone knows someone with a vinyl cutter these days. It wouldn’t be that difficult to make more “traditional” graphics for your Mach if you so chose.

The big problem with the 2021 Mach 1 is the shoes it’s filling. The GT350 is one of the most beloved Mustangs in recent memory. ThatDudeinBlue dismisses the new Mach 1 of being “A Mustang GT with bolt ons,” unworthy of taking the GT350’s place in the Mustang lineup.

To these guys, this doesn’t feel like an improvement over the GT350. The Mach 1 is touted as a “track car” by Ford, but CJ doesn’t think they went far enough. “If you’re going to call it a track car, put in a dry sump.” Small changes like these could have gone a long way toward making the Mach feel new, fresh, and different.

Photos: Ford

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.
He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.
In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.
You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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