The Mustang Mach 1 Returns!

Stangnet.com, Blueovalnews.com, Ford Motor Company ^ | 29 March, 2002 | Kraburn

[ZDaphne]

You don't sound old, prisoner, in fact you sound about my age and I KNOW I'm not old! I enjoyed your story. It brought back some great racing memories for me on Woodward Avenue in Michigan. I had a 1963 Corvette split window coupe in midnight blue. I was 18 years old. Heaven can wait, I tell you. Talk about regretting getting rid of that car.... I'd kill to have it today. Thanks for your memory story.

[go star go]

Pontiac is bringing back the GTO also...

[MarkWar]

>Pontiac is bringing back the GTO also...

Zappa-ism: GTO = Girls Together Outrageously

Mark W.

[prisoner6]

Woodward Avenue in Michigan. I had a 1963 Corvette split window coupe in midnight blue.

COOL! Did ya ever drop by Bob's Big Boy when the big three would send development teams onto the street with prototypes? Rumor has it there was a TON of street racing there being done under the guise of just a gear head running his machine when in reality the factories included it in their "black budgets". ....hehehehehehe!

BTW after the frame rails went on my '67 and marriage was threatening, I GAVE it to the clerk at my local parts store.

Talk about regrets!

Went through a bunch of cars including a 71 XJ6 (new - but a pain in the butt ride really), a 70 something Mazda RX2 with a rotary (it replaced my Stang), A Ford van, more Renaults than I care to admit to (I have a soft spot in my head for Fine French Automobiles. They don't run but make GREAT if somewhat odd looking driveway ornaments), a couple of Chevys, a Pacer wagon (Wife fell in love with it), a Fiat X1/9 (Wife refused to ride in it when she was preggers so it had to go), a final Renault Medallion wagon (expanding family...sigh), a Dodge Grand Caravan complete with peeling blue paint, a Chevy Caprice and now a 94 Plymouth Voyager.

How's that for a downhill slide?

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you liked the story. I swear every word of it is true!

prisoner6

[ZDaphne]

Bob's Big Boy? That was a well-beaten path from Ted's at Square Lake and Woodward to the Big Boy! How I miss those 5 x 5's (big hamburgers, if you're not from there). Used to spend hours parked at Ted's showing off our cars, or cruising down to the Big Boy. Sorry to hear you're now driving a Plymouth Voyager. I became a "traitor" and bought a Honda this year. Such is life. At least we have the memories, right? Thanks for responding.

[Jack Black]

The fastest and most furious car in the movie is not a jap car but a glorious purple Dodge Challenger that plays a big role in the final chase scene in the movie. But, yeah, other than that it's all rice rockets. But then the rice rocket crowd go see movies. 15-25 year olds have always been the core hot rod crowd. Today they soup up Hondas and Toyotas, not Detroit Iron. Why? Insurance is one reason. Try getting insurance on a 'Stang if your a 20 year old guy. A Honda hatchback is a lot easier. Style plays a big role too. And while the new 'Stang is nice it's also pretty retro. Look at the Celica GT and it's just a lot more modern looking... anyway I like The F&F and it would make a good DVD rental.

[Jack Black]

OK, here's a shot of the original for comparison's sake. This is a 1970 I believe.

[Jack Black]

There was a body change in either '71 or '72 and they made these beauties. The "Mach 1" always was the fastback body, but the back got really 'fast' in these later years. I've always thought these were the nastiest looking Fords ever made. With stock engines up to a (claimed) 375hp they backup up the tough looks too. The new Mach1 is nice but it doesn't have the appeal of the original. I like to see a faster fast back on it!

[Jack Black]

Arguably the greatest of the late muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger R/T.

[apochromat]

I lived a few blocks from a Woodward Ave. Big Boy restaurant in the mid-1960's, between 13 and 14 Mile Roads. There was a gas station next door that had a rail dragster parked in front. They'd rev up the engine on the dragster occasionally, after dark, while it was parked only a few feet from that avenue. Just when it was idling, getting within 100 yards of the sound of that engine became noticeably painful to my adolescent ears. Even from four blocks away, I'd almost swear it was putting out 100 decibels when it screamed. It was amazing to me that the gas station owner could allow it to scream many, many times, right next to a suburban neighborhood only 1/4 block away. Not too family-friendly, but to an 8th grader it was radically cool, in a way.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

There is a big difference between the standard "ricer" (no racial offense, just a generic term - think of "poser") Honda Civic and the Supra.

Someone was lamenting about front-engine rear-drive. I would add another thing - forced induction.



I used to be a Ford maniac, eagerly reading all the technical coolness that was "just around the corner". Throughout the 80s, they offered up TBI, single cam in block, 2 valve head, 2 wheel disc brakes, live axel suspensions, etc. They never delivered.

All of this was trumped in 1987 by the Supra (4 wheel discs with ABS, TEMS, 4 wheel independent double wishbone suspension, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, turbocharged, intercooled, direct electronic fuel injection, etc.) All with one of the best build-qualities in the business.

I bailed and went Japanese. Working on cars is fun again.

Now lately, things are looking up on the domestic front. Ford was first with the 4.8L OHC engine. Many of these cars are worth a second look. The Mach 1 sounds interesting. Add to that the fact that Toyota doesn't make a US spec car I'd buy now (I don't do front-wheel-drive. Sorry) and I may someday own another Ford. Clearly, it's nice to see somebody serving this market as the Japanese recently abandoned it.

PS: Horsepower numbers are for the stock car. With bolt-ons doubling that is possible. Many have done it with stock internals! I sure don't miss the "Save a Buck or Two" attitude that I always encountered with disassembling some domestic component.

Here are the specs on the Mach 1. Looks like the live axel is alive and well.

[Long Cut]

Pontiac is bringing back the GTO...

Yes, they are. Here's the link to that story.

This decade is looking pretty good, car-wise.

[Long Cut]

Great pics, Jack. The late '60s-early '70s Mustangs were something really special. Most kids nowadays don't have a clue that back then you could buy a car with 400hp, stock, for around 7-8 grand. And you could fix it yourself with just a few tools.

That '71-72 MACH 1 reminds me of something...remember this movie? It, and Bullitt have to be the two best Mustang Movies ever made.

[Long Cut]

Much as I didn't like the remake of this movie, I have to admit, the designers of the 2000 version of "ELEANOR" did a good job...

Good thing it wasn't a real Shelby, its destruction would have been a pity. Apparently, the kit to convert a '67-68 Fastback to the "ELEANOR" configuration is available for sale.

[mn12]

I used to be a Ford maniac, eagerly reading all the technical coolness that was "just around the corner". Throughout the 80s, they offered up TBI, single cam in block, 2 valve head, 2 wheel disc brakes, live axel suspensions, etc. They never delivered.

What in the heck were you driving? Are you sure you aren't thinking of GM?! :) My 88 Thunderbird has a fuel-injected, turbocharged, intercooled OHC engine putting out 190 hp, ABS, big 4-wheel disc brakes, an electronically controlled suspension that stiffens up the ride when you flip a switch or corner/accelerate/brake hard, it has a switch that changes the boost and timing for either premium or regular fuel, two extra shocks to hold the axle in place on hard acceleration, and a bunch of other cool stuff.

The next year, Ford released an all-new Thunderbird with pretty much the same goodies, plus a supercharged V6 and 4-wheel independent suspension. That was also the same year they came out with the Taurus SHO, which had a 220hp 24v DOHC Yamaha engine. I think 0-60 was about 6.8 seconds. That's great by today's standards, let alone 13 years ago!

I'd say Ford was really on the ball back then! They sure have slipped though. They used to have a ton of sporty, very good cars (T-Bird, Cougar, Merkur XR4Ti, Mustang, Taurus SHO, Mark VII, Mark VIII), but now they're trying to make a bunch of different Mustangs in hopes that everybody will be happy with one or another. Looks great on paper to the beancounters, but it sure sucks in real life. Personally, I'm getting kind of bored with Ford's "Mustang of the Week" gimmicks.

[MarkWar]

>I sure don't miss the "Save a Buck or Two" attitude that I always encountered with disassembling some domestic component.

I don't know much about cars, but I'll take your word for it. (Comparing, say, Sony consumer electronics to US consumer electronics -- to the extent that we make any these days -- presents a very similar emotional experience.)

Mark W.

[prisoner6]

Personally, I'm getting kind of bored with Ford's "Mustang of the Week" gimmicks.

Good point! It's getting kinda hard to tell 'em all apart much less which one is the latest "hottest" version.

Before I suggested having numbers on the minor guages, and after looking at the "Stang page I have another, more radical comment.

Wouldn't be funtional at all but would generate a TON of PR. How about Ford fit the "new" Mustang with gullwing doors? Similar to the old Mercedes 300sl AND of course highly identifiable with the GT40. In fact in the pictures of the new Mustang it looks to me like te roof line and rear deck have been altered just a tiny bit to make it appear more related to the GT40.

Maybe just my imagination.

prisoner6

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

I think I'll wait until I can afford a Saleen SR. Might be a while though!

	SR COUPE
ENGINE	351 cid (5.8L) Saleen Centrifugal Supercharged OHV 90 degree V-8 Horsepower - 505 @ 5400 / Torque - 500 ft. lbs. @ 3500 Compression ratio 8.2:1 / Bore and stroke - 4.00" x 3.50" Sequential electronic fuel-injection 65 mm throttle body Saleen upper/lower manifold 80 mm mass-air sensor 36 lb./hr. fuel injectors Hydraulic roller camshaft and lifters Forged aluminum pistons, aluminum heads Saleen ceramic coated headers Saleen 2.5" stainless steel 4-way catalytic high flow exhaust High flow fuel pump Premium fuel calibration Saleen high performance radiator
DRIVETRAIN	Saleen Quick Ratio 6-speed manual transmission Ford 9" Limited Slip differential Custom balanced driveshaft
SUSPENSION	Front: Saleen independent uneven length double wishbone with Saleen N2 triple adjustable shocks and adjustable sway bars Rear: Saleen 3 link live axle with sway bar Performance Enhancements: Unibody construction with roll cage and suspension reinforcement, power assisted rack and pinion steering
BRAKES	Power 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with integrated cooling ducts Front: Saleen 14.4" metallic disc with 4-piston calipers Rear: Saleen 13.0" metallic disc with 4-piston calipers
WHEELS	Saleen five spoke alloy wheels Front 18" x 10" Rear 18" x 11"
TIRES	High performance Pirelli PZero, Front: P285/30 ZR-18 Rear: P335/30 ZR-18

PERFORMANCE

NOTHING COMPARES WITH SALEEN PERFORMANCE
Model	1/4 Mile (second)/MPH	0-60 MPH (second)	Lat. Accel.	Braking FT. 60-0 MPH	Resale Value	M.S.R.P*
SALEEN SR	11.8/124.0	4.0	1.09g	98	HIGH	$158,000
JAGUAR XJR	12.6/117.2	4.5	.95g	N/A	HIGH	$1,000,000
DODGE VIPER GTS	12.8/111.0	4.4	.97g	129	AVERAGE	$73,030
PORSCHE 911/TURBO	12.9/112.6	4.5	.91g	126	AVERAGE	$99,720
LOTUS ESPRIT/V-8	13.0/102.8	4.4	.90g	125	LOW	$86,977
CORVETTE	13.3/107	4.8	.93g	116	LOW	$48,540
LAMBORGHINI DIABLO	13.2/109.6	4.7	.87g	116	HIGH	$268,071
FERRARI 355	13.3/107.2	4.9	.93g	119	AVERAGE	$133,080
ACURA NSX	13.5/105.7	5.0	.89g	123	LOW	$89,290

[RangeRatt]

Greatest Ride Ever: I used to work in the car business, and the last one was a dealership in Charleston, SC, which will remain nameless, but it is part of a large group. We had, on the used car lot, a 97 Viper GTS that came to us by way of Canada. The V10 had been breathed on, heavily, it had about 15-20% more HP than factory, no cats, just straight pipes thru Borla muffs, and RED, RED, RED. We had to park it and the Prowlers inside the service drive at night to discourage theft & vandalism, so it was always a race to see who could grab the Viper keys first.

Anyway, on a Thursday afternoon, a black Prowler pulls onto the used car lot. Older gent, early fifties, climbs out with his grandson. I was the only salesperson on the pad at the moment, so I introduced myself. He told me that he had been speaking with another salesperson about the Viper, and came to drive it. So I checked, and the other s.p. (we'll call him Joe) was at dinner. I grabbed the keys, told my desk manager what was going on, and started out the door. The desk mgr. asked if I thought I had a "qualified buyer" for this car- I pointed at the guy's Prowler, and said, "Are you kidding?".

Fast forward to Rivers Avenue, the main drag in N. Charleston. I was driving, the customer was riding shotgun. We merged onto I-26, and I was struggling to keep the Viper at legal speed, in third gear. Wasn't easy. The customer looks at me after about 2 minutes of this, and says, "I know it'll do 65...", to which I responded with the look that says,"and your point is?". He says to me that if I get a ticket, he'll pay it. That was all I needed to hear. I checked traffic, pretty light, gave it some gas, grabbed 4th gear, floored it, 5th gear, again to the floor, and then 6th, where I let off slightly after looking at the speedometer and seeing EXACTLY how far over the limit I was.

I pulled off 26 and into the parking lot of a movie theater...switched seats, and let the customer drive back. He pulled the Viper HARD through the gears, and upon arrival at the dealership, threw me the keys to his Prowler so I could get it appraised, and asked, once we got inside, "Where do I sign, I WANT THAT CAR!". You coulda knocked me over with a feather at that point. MAN, what a ride!

[Rate_Determining_Step]

The next year, Ford released an all-new Thunderbird with pretty much the same goodies, plus a supercharged V6 and 4-wheel independent suspension. That was also the same year they came out with the Taurus SHO, which had a 220hp 24v DOHC Yamaha engine. I think 0-60 was about 6.8 seconds. That's great by today's standards, let alone 13 years ago!

Wow, that's impressive on the 'bird! I know a lot about the SHO, another great car. There was also the SVO program which was really cool. Was that the same 2.3 in the Turbo Coupe they stuck in the Mustang SVO? I was driving a Camaro (had TRX tires) first and then 5.0 Mustang during those years. In spite of the fact they were rather awful cars, I did like them. Proves they had a decent package - they just walked away from the ball on the 15 yard line like they always do. Then I spent 5 years in GM Hell with a Fiero. :)

(T-Bird, Cougar, Merkur XR4Ti, Mustang, Taurus SHO, Mark VII, Mark VIII),

The MKIII doesn't count. :) I owned one and put a lot of miles on one. Nice car, but just an anemic 5.0 on the standard 'bird chassis. I still liked the car. Build quality awful. Was rather strange some 25 year old kid with a Lincoln as his car.

Personally, I'm getting kind of bored with Ford's "Mustang of the Week" gimmicks.

Yup, if you look at the "detailed specs" of the Mach 1, they prattle on about trim stuff. Pretty lame. I'm hoping with the new 350Z that Toyota gets the message. They're usually the last to the party, but they usually arrive with the most goodies.