Mustang Timeline: 2003

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V6 | GT | Centennial Edition | Mach 1 | Cobra | Roush, Saleen, & Steeda

Despite GM's axing of Mustang's strongest competition--Camaro and Firebird--in 2003, Ford beefed up its Mustang lineup for the year, supercharging the Cobra and reviving the Mach 1 moniker.

Dark Shadow Grey and Redfire were added to the color options, replacing Mineral Grey and Laser Tint Red. Azure Blue was available for the Mach 1 only.

The 2003 V-6 Mustang got the hood from 1999 and 2001 Cobras with a small rear-facing scoop.

The Pony Edition Mustang was added to the nationwide lineup in 2003, after being a Florida-only edition in 2001 and 2002. It was a V-6 with the raised GT hood scoop, Stampeding Pony door graphics, polished 16" wheels, and black bumper inserts.

An interior upgrade package was added for the 2003 GT, and included larger headrests and silver interior enhancements like the shifter ring, door lock soldiers, and instrument bezel. A Bright Wheel option was available, but this was nothing more than the chrome 1999 and 2001 Cobra wheel with Mustang centercaps.

Ford celebrated its 100th Anniversary in June of 2003, and made limited edition F-Series Super Duty trucks, Explorers, Tauruses, Focuses, and Mustang GTs to commemorate the event. The 100th Anniversary models only came in black, and included Premium Verona-grain Imola leather seating surfaces in two-tone parchment, and the Mustang got the GT premium package which included 17" wheels, anti-lock brakes and traction control; dual exhaust; power driver's seat with power lumbar support; leather-wrapped steering wheel; and Mach 460 AM/FM Stereo with six-disc CD changer, as well as 100th Anniversary badges on the fender and decklid and embossed on the seats. The Centennial Package was a $995 upgrade.

The Mach 1 returned in 2003 with a four-valve DOHC 305-hp V-8 engine sitting under a functional Shaker hood scoop. A flat black stripe ran from the scoop to the front of the hood, a black Mach 1 stripe ran the length of the side, the spoiler was painted black, it got rolled exhaust tips like the 2001 Bullitt, and Comfort Weave seats like the original Mach 1. A new version of the classic Magnum 500 wheel was the only option for the 2003 Mach 1. The Mach 1 was available in six colors: Oxford White, Zinc Yellow, Torch Red, Black, Azure Blue, and Dark Shadow Grey. Visit the Mach 1 Registry for more info on Mach 1 Mustangs.

2003 Cobras began hitting showrooms in June of 2002 with a supercharged 4.6L DOHC V-8 pushing 390-hp. Two inverted hood scoops extracted heat from the engine, the front and rear bumpers were redesigned, and GT side scoops and a new spoiler were added. The '03 Cobras had 6-speed manual transmissions.

Ten years after SVT introduced its first product--the 1993 SVT Cobra R--they released a special 10th Anniversary 2003 SVT Cobra. The 10th Anniversary Package was available as either a coupe or convertible, and featured unique 17x9-inch dark argent painted anniversary wheels, red leather seating surfaces in the front and rear, interior trim with the appearance of carbon fiber, red painted brake calipers, and SVT 10th Anniversary badges on the floor mats and rear decklid. SVT produced 2,003 units of the Anniversary model, which were available in Torch Red, Black Clearcoat, and Silver Metallic.

The aftermarket was thriving in 2003, and tuners like Roush, Steeda, and Saleen made 2003 the most diversified model year since 1970.

Roush Performance offered Stage 1, 2, and 3 Mustangs, as well as the 380R, Boyd Coddington California Roadster, and Jack Roush Classic. The 380R and Classic had 379-hp. Only 200 380Rs were made, and they were split between coupe and convertible and white with blue stripes, red with white stripes, and black with gold stripes--a new combination for Roush. Only 50 Classics were made in both coupe and convertible form. The Boyd was only offered in convertible, and only 100 were made. They were originally split between silver and black and red and black, but I've gotten pictures of yellow and blue ones too. Only 25 had superchargers. The ones that did used the standard Roush hood which was also used on 1999 and 2001 Cobras as well as 2003 LX Mustangs. The non-supercharged versions had the standard GT hood.

Steeda introduced the Q400 to mimic its Q400-R race car. Purchasers could choose between a Vortech centrifugal supercharger or a Paxton Novi roots supercharger and numerous other engine and exterior enhancements. Steeda advertised 400-hp, but Motor Trend tested theirs at 425-rwhp, and the car ran 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 111.7 mph.

In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Saleen offered the ultimate in limited edition vehicles: the SA-20 Speedster. The SA-20 Speedster, based on the Saleen S281, was available as a convertible only and was powered by a 375 HP, 4.6L V8 featuring a Saleen Series IV Screw Type Intercooled Supercharger and Saleen Powerflash performance calibration system. There were only ten made, factory-custom painted Pearl White with Five Spoke 18” wheels painted to match. The SA-20 featured Saleen’s brand-new, never before seen 20th anniversary Tonneau cover with integrated light-bar design. In addition, the vehicle featured 20th anniversary black and yellow graphics, Saleen’s lightweight, vented, composite hood, S281 Extreme Wing and S281 Extreme Rear Fascia with center exhaust. The interior of the SA-20 featured 20th anniversary special edition Saleen leather sport seating, console plaque, custom floor mats and custom door panels. Of the ten SA-20s made, one was special ordered with an automatic transmission.

Engines
3.8L OHV 12-valve V-6 193 hp Standard, Pony
4.6L SOHC 16-valve V-8 260 hp GT
4.6L DOHC 32-valve V-8 305 hp Mach 1
4.6L DOHC 32-valve V-8 390 hp Cobra

Prices
Coupe, standard $18,240
Coupe, deluxe $18,970
Coupe, premium $20,085
Convertible, deluxe $23,940
Convertible, premium $26,525
GT Coupe, deluxe $24,110
GT Coupe, premium $25,280
GT Convertible, deluxe $28,415
GT Convertible, premium $29,585
Mach 1 $28,995
SVT Cobra Coupe $34,750
SVT Cobra Convertible $38,995

Production
V6 Coupe 59,943
V6 Convertible 26,500
GT Coupe 26,238
GT Convertible 15,518
Centennial Coupe 717
Centennial Convertible 1,323
Mach 1 9,652
Mach 1 Breakdown
Manual Transmission 7,709
Automatic Transmission 1,943
Torch Red 2,513
Azure Blue 2,250
Black 1,611
Dark Shadow Grey 1,595
Zinc Yellow 869
Oxford White 814
Cobra Coupe

8,394

Cobra Convertible

5,082

10th Anniversary Cobras
Silver Metallic Convertible 237
Torch Red Convertible 369
Black Convertible 394
Silver Metallic Coupe 381
Torch Red Coupe 365
Black Coupe 257
Total 2,003
Total

155,370

Colors
Azure Blue (Mach 1 Only) 2,223
Black 24,937
Dark Shadow Grey 21,934
Mineral Grey (early Cobra only) 452
Oxford White 16,449
Redfire 20,908
Satin Silver (early Cobra only) 323
Silver Metallic 21,216
Sonic Blue 7,566
Torch Red 14,992
Tropic Green 1,748
True Blue 10,245
Zinc Yellow 10,141

Vehicle Identification Numbers

Unavailable


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Photos
General Information
Available Wheels
Standard, GT, and Mach 1 Engines
Mach 1000
Mach 1000
Models
V6
GT
Centennial Edition
Mach 1
Cobra
Roush
Saleen
Steeda

V6 | GT | Centennial Edition | Mach 1 | Cobra | Roush, Saleen, & Steeda

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