Archive for February, 2010

With nearly a half century of Ford Mustang history to consider, there are a number of models that can be considered as classics. That definition is subject to debate with some believing cars as young as 20 years old fall into that category while others may consider a rare model of any age to be a classic.

For argument’s sake, when it comes to a Classic Mustang, any model built within the first twenty years of the original 1965 models qualifies. Yes, you may take exception to certain variants, therefore let’s explore four classic Mustangs we know and love:

1964 ½ models – You say that there is no such thing as a 1964 ½ model? Technically, you are correct as the vehicle identification number (VIN) for cars produced beginning in April 1964 through July reflect that vehicles were indeed 1965 model year Mustangs. Still, enthusiasts will tell you that there is a difference between the cars built those first four months of 1964 compared to what was built for the final five months of the year and beyond. Those latter models featured an alternator charging system, a better engine-to-bell-housing union, an adjustable passenger seat, and other refinements. In truth, any of the earliest Mustangs are classics, bar none.

Fastback Stangs – From the beginning the Fastback version of the steed immediately destined this car to become a classic Mustang. Part of that mystique is due to its styling featuring a swooping rear roof line and curved C pillar setting it apart from the standard model. But the other part was its sales as only a fraction of all Mustangs sold were fastback models. Do you own a 1965 or 1966 Mustang fastback? If so, they are especially prized by collectors.

Mustang II (select) – I have long panned the Mustang II as being what nearly killed the Mustang line when this smaller steed was rolled out for the 1974 model year. Besides sharing its platform with the insipid Pinto, the Mustang II was not the “looker”of earlier warhorses. Worse, some came equipped with I4 engines. But I believe history will prove to be much kinder with the Mustang II especially for select special edition models including the Mach 1. Anything with a V8 should be considered a classic Mustang while never should a four cylinder Mustang of that error be worth more than a few dollars over the Pinto’s price. Which is worthless.

Classic Convertibles – The earliest Mustang convertibles are a shoe-in to receive Classic Mustang consideration but I believe that the reintroduced ragtops for the 1983 model year require special consideration. After all, it had been years since a convertible Mustang had been built and Ford, responding to Chrysler’s leadership, decided to get back in the ragtop game. The fox based platform was different too making this “wind in your hair steed” a classic Mustang.

Yes, I left off special edition models such as those built by Shelby, Saleen, Roush, Classic Recreations, and others. They were too easy to add to this list as were the Boss 302, Mach 1, and other in-house productions.

While the 1969 class movie Bullitt was the first film to leverage a Ford Mustang in a bid to capture audience interest it wasn’t the only one. Five years later Gone In 60 Seconds was released, another action packed thriller that continues to excite Mustang enthusiasts to this day.

The four-wheeled star of that movie was a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, dubbed Eleanor, but it presented a huge problem to the people who wanted to steal it: it was not insured.

Stolen Cars

But first a little background: the plot of the movie involved a drug lord from South America who put in a $400,000 order for 48 cars ranging from the Mustang to several top of the line models provided that the cars were delivered to him within five days.

But there was one catch to stealing these cars: their ringleader, Mandrian Pace, was an insurance professional who for his own reasons insisted that each of the cars stolen be insured by their owners. As it turns out “Eleanor Mustang” was not insured and Pace insisted that it be returned and that a new Eleanor be found to replace it. Unfortunately, the police were already alerted to the theft and thus began the action.

Wrecked Cars

While Eleanor played a significant role in the movie what people remember most is the 34 minute car chase scene resulting in the wreck of 93 vehicles. Most of those cars were purchased at city auction and used for the movie.

I won’t go deeper in the plot of the movie which was remade in 2000. Likely, you’re more familiar with the updated flick, but both movies live on as classics. In the original movie two Mustangs were used: one was featured in all of race scenes while the other was used for close up “beauty” shots. That car (or cars) was later put on display and then featured in other movies including The Junkman and Deadline Auto Theft.

Eleanor Remakes

The original Eleanor Mustang included a 351 cubic inch Cleveland engine, based on the original 335 V-8 popular with Ford at that time. For the movie, Eleanor’s engine was modified and included a 24-volt electrical system, four-barrel carburetor, and electrical kill switches.

Several custom designed Eleanor models were built over the years with Denice Halicki–widow of the movie’s producer, lead actor, and stuntman H.B. Halicki—challenging those built without here authorization. As the beneficiary of Halicki’s estate—he was killed in 1989 while filming the never released Gone In 60 Seconds 2 sequel—Denice controls the licensing of the remakes, having settled a dispute with famed aftermarket Mustang guru Carroll Shelby regarding rights to building the car.

Under the most recent agreement Shelby has licensed those rights to Classic Recreations who will be building the Mustang GT500CR. No word yet when the latest iteration of the Eleanor theme will be available.

If you were to examine the Ford Mustang’s production time-line from its origin in 1964 to its current offerings, you would see that the Mustang has experienced several distinct highlights and low-lights over the course of those years.

Popular Mustangs

The first generation models, particularly those built through the late 1960s, were the most popular Mustangs of its kind. Not since the Mustang was rolled out have so many models been sold in a year, although a certain follow up model we will soon look at came very close.

Most recently, the retro-look Mustangs rolled out beginning in 2005 have been received with critical acclaim, cars that have recaptured historic Mustang glory while also featuring the latest in technological and engineering sophistication. Today’s Mustang is both modern and stylish, giving enthusiasts a car certainly worthy of wearing the steed’s moniker.

Ford Mustang II

But this article is not about the highlights or even the low-lights of Mustang history although the topic at hand, the Mustang II, does represent one of the lowest points in the Mustang continuum. But contradicting that point this same Mustang II was also a hot seller, with more than 400,000 units moving out from dealer showrooms in some years. Today’s Mustang sells at a much more modest clip of 50-100,000 units, but then there are so many other good choices from Ford and its competitors unlike during the 1970s when the Mustang II was produced.

The Ford Mustang II spanned a five year model run from 1974-1978 and was built on the same platform underpinning the Ford Pinto. That in itself is noteworthy: Ford had one small car platform to tap for the Mustang II and thought nothing of having the two horses share it. Though the Pinto had a certain sporty style, it was a weakly powered, budget car famously faulted for its exploding gas tank.

Smaller Warhorse

For its part the Mustang II filled a desire by Ford management to shrink the bulging Mustang down to more sensible proportions. That 1974 model featured rack and pinion steering and a separate sub-frame for the engine which helped to limit noise, vibration, and harshness. Though roundly criticized in later years for its dull styling, the Mustang II arrived just as gas prices began to soar. Moreover, the model tackled the girth which was apparent in 1969-1973 Mustangs.

The base Mustang II was powered by the Pinto’s 88 horsepower 2.3L I4 with an optional 2.8L V6 also offered. From the second year on, Ford refitted the engine bay to house a V8, placing a 5.0L engine under the hood. Still, buyers could choose from I4, V6, or V8 power, the latter helping the Mustang to perform strongly against the Toyota Celica and Datsun (Nissan) 280Z.

Though sales remained robust throughout the Mustang II’s campaign, the second generation model had the shortest run of any Mustang built. When the all-new 1979 model made its debut, Ford chose not to call it the Mustang III, allowing the steed to once again assume its original model name.

America’s love affair with the car may have certainly changed over the years, but cars still play a significant role in the way we live our lives. Some people drive them to get from point A to point B while others seem to consider their vehicles an extension of themselves. The vast majority of driver’s fall somewhere between these two extremes.

Hollywood Swinging

But Hollywood and the entertainment industry has used its collective influence to stoke our motoring desire by singing, writing, and featuring cars in songs, books, television shows, and movies. Tim Workman & John McClellan sang about the Ford Mustang while the Beach Boys include “409” and “Little Honda” among other car based hits.

Numerous books have been written down through the years dedicated to this model while others expose the problems of the industry as a whole. Movies are a whole ‘nuther matter as the big screen has had a number of hits including the 2006 animation classic, Cars. But it was the 1969 Steve McQueen movie, Bullitt, which vaulted the Ford Mustang to the top of Americana, a car involved in a nine minute chase scene. That chase is considered to be one of the best ever filmed.

Bullitt did for Ford Mustang what no song could do, elevating the 1968 Mustang Fastback to the top of the sport coupe segment. The chase scene’s other car, a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T also fared quite well, but in the movie that car did not survive the chase while the Mustang did. Check YouTube to view the chase and you will get a better understanding how Bullitt forever changed the Mustang.

Bullitt Mustang

It wasn’t until 2001 when Ford decided to capitalize on the Bullitt name for the first time. Like the Mustangs used in the movie, the special edition Bullitt featured a modified suspension and brakes as well as enjoying Tokico shocks, performance intake and muffler, and enhancements to the engine which helped squeeze an additional ten horsepower from the engine as well as improved torque curve. Yes, the dark highland green was one of three colors available as were black and true blue.

For 2008 and again for 2009 Ford released a follow up Bullett, this one as an add-on package to its GT Premium model. Most notable about this Bullett is that the steed included special wheels, Bullett door sills, and special aluminum treatments to the engine, dash, shifter, and pedals. Special stitching and engraving was evident on the seats and Ford managed to squeeze an additional 15 horsepower out of the V8 which was paired with a five-speed Tremec manual transmission.

Retired Model

Alas, the Bullett is not available with current production Mustangs, but that doesn’t mean that its return has been ruled out. Come 2018 as the 50th anniversary of the movie is marked, the Bullett name may once again be affixed to a future Mustang model even if it should be powered by an EcoBoost I4 engine.