Ford Mustang GT, 2005 Mustang GT | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2005 -- Following on the heels of the hot-selling 2005 Mustang coupe, Ford today trotted out the latest pony car at the Los Angeles Auto Show -- the all-new 2005 Mustang Convertible. Available this spring in a V-6 model and a V-8-powered GT version, the new drop top is the first in a stable of specialty Mustangs designed to keep the American legend fresh.
'Through the years, Mustang Convertible has always been a bold, powerful option for people looking to drop the top, smell the fresh breezes and let their troubles float away,' said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. 'Forty years later, that need is stronger than ever, and the 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible stands ready to serve as the most affordable drop top in America.'

Starting at $24,495, the 210-horsepower V-6 model remains the lowest priced V-6 convertible in the industry, while the V-8 powered Mustang GT, which starts at $29,995, is the most affordable 300-horsepower convertible muscle car.

Mustang Convertible has thrived for 40 years by staying true to the basic formula established in 1964: a great drop-top design combined with affordable wind-in-the-hair performance. Thanks to engineering that resulted in a convertible platform with more than twice the torsional stiffness of the previous version, this is the most quiet and solid drop top Mustang ever produced. There are no squeaks, shakes and rattles to which convertibles are typically prone.

The 2005 Mustang Convertible was designed in tandem with the coupe to deliver a rigid body structure without adding weight. Another benefit to designing the coupe and convertible together is that the two models have a cohesive, integrated look. The new Mustang Convertible does not look like a hard-top that has undergone reconstructive surgery to become a convertible.

Also improved over the previous Mustang Convertible is rearward visibility. The 2005 Mustang Convertible comes with a wide glass backlite (including a defroster), full quarter windows and slim C-pillars, all of which offer a driver a better look out the back. The fabric top also seals better.

Passengers in the back and front will appreciate the lack of wind-related buffeting and noise when the top is down. With the windshield header more steeply raked than on the coupe and a modified rear seatback, the 2005 Mustang convertible has no need for add-on devices to block the wind.

'Customers are going to notice the improved quietness of the cabin with the top up,' said Paul Russell, marketing manager, Mustang, Thunderbird and Ford GT. 'The car is best-in-class in that regard.'

Historically, convertible models represent 25 percent to 30 percent of Mustang sales. The Mustang convertible will be built alongside the coupe model at AutoAlliance International, a Ford and Mazda joint venture manufacturing facility in Flat Rock, Mich.

2005 Ford Mustang V-6 Convertible
The most attainable Mustang Convertible is the well-equipped V-6 Deluxe model, which has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $24,495. This includes the destination and delivery charge. Taxes, title and license fees are not included.

Major standard equipment includes:

- 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine with Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
- 16-inch painted cast aluminum wheels with all-season tires
- Air conditioning, dual power mirrors and rear window defroster
- AM/FM stereo with single CD player
- Four-wheel power disc brakes
- Ford Personal Safety SystemTM, with standard occupant classification sensing to tailor the deployment of the front passenger air bag
- Power door locks with remote keyless entry and power windows with driver and passenger door one-touch up/down

2005 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
The industry's most affordable 300-horsepower drop-top sports car is the Ford Mustang GT Convertible Deluxe model, which has a base MSRP of $29,995. This includes the destination and delivery charge. Taxes, title and license fees are not included.
Major standard equipment includes:

- 300-horsepower, 4.6-liter SOHC 3-valve V-8 engine with Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
- Four-wheel power disc brakes with four-channel anti-locking braking and all-speed traction control
- Stainless steel dual exhaust with unmistakable Mustang sound
-Front fog lamps in grille, a rear spoiler and tilt steering wheel
-17-inch painted cast aluminum wheels with Z-rated performance tires
-Air conditioning, dual power mirrors and rear window defroster
-AM/FM stereo with single CD player
-Ford Personal Safety System, with standard occupant classification sensing to tailor the deployment of the front passenger air bag
-Power door locks with remote keyless entry and power windows with driver and passenger door one-touch up/down

Source - Ford Communications Network

With 39 years of storied automotive history, 8 million customers, and legions of fanatic fans to satisfy, Ford is introducing two all-new Mustang design concepts at the 2003 North American International Auto Show.

The Mustang GT convertible and coupe concepts arrive ready to take enthusiasts' breath away—three design-generations after the original made history in 1964. The latest legends of the American pony car are contemporary automobiles that capture the essence of Mustang's design and performance heritage.

Presented as a two-seat fastback coupe and convertible, the Mustang GT concepts are strong indicators of the next-generation Mustang's design direction. They emerge as a bold testament to the timeless value that automotive enthusiasts hold for the original American pony car.

'These Mustang concepts are thoroughly modern automobiles that point to a bright future for Mustang,' says J Mays, Ford Motor Company vice president of Design. 'Their powerful stances, smooth surface language, and ultra-modern interiors set new standards for muscle cars. Above all, these concepts communicate the soul of Mustang: a classic, cool and quintessentially American muscle car.'

Introspective and Extroverted

The Mustang GT concepts draw on the very elements that have made Mustang the definitive American sports car for nearly four decades. Their exterior designs are clearly inspired by some of the extroverted Mustangs of the past and have been created by a design team that took an introspective approach to updating a classic design.

The designs are modern, crisp, and reveal the true character of what Mustang means to so many people. The original 1964½ Mustang actually evolved from the racing-inspired, two-seat concept car called the Mustang 1. After reviewing archived files, Mustang's modern-day crafters were struck by how the original design embraced the same inspirational cues that communicate performance. The design team looked beyond production models to the Mustang 1 concept for modern inspiration. Much like the Mustang 1 and the later Mustang Mach 1 show car in 1968, the Mustang GT concepts are rare, radical designs that will appeal to everyone.

'By melding the true character of Mustang into these fully modern offerings, we've ensured that even the uninitiated will instantly recognize these cars as Mustangs,' says Mays. 'We went beyond their exterior designs to truly understand the extent to which Mustang has embedded itself in American culture.'

New Design

The Mustang GT concepts are instantly recognizable as Mustangs, yet they stretch the design far into the future with a distinctly modern look. Like the Mustang 1 concept, the GT concepts are two-place sportscars: one a coupe and the other a convertible. Both cars started out with a significantly modified Ford Thunderbird rear-wheel-drive architecture. The platform was sectioned to achieve the proper proportion. The front-end geometry is all original—customized to accommodate the signature Mustang MOD 4.6-liter V-8.

In concert with plans for the all-new Mustang, due in 2004, the exterior and interior designs of the Mustang GT concepts were penned by designers in Ford's Living Legends Studio in Dearborn, Mich., and Ford's California Design Center in Southern California. The concept design execution was done exclusively at the California Design Center.

'Getting the proportions right is the magic to making the entire design work,' says Mays.

'When you're designing a new Mustang, you're the steward of 40 years of automotive history. If you don't get it right, you've got 8-million Mustang fans to answer to. I think we got it right,' says Mays.

The silhouette of the car is unmistakably Mustang. The coupe conjures images of 1967 and 1968 Fastbacks while the convertible brings back cues of the early Shelby Mustangs, especially in its 'show bar' and wide-element tail lamps.

Inside, there's no mistaking the no-holds-barred Mustang classic cues. The cockpit is dramatic for the driver and passenger with lush red and charcoal leather accented by billet-aluminum hardware. They're reminiscent of another era yet, inside and out, the Mustang GT concepts are thoroughly modern.

Heritage

When the Mustang was first unveiled, Ford chose the 1964 World's Fair in New York as its stage. A global audience sat and watched an automotive revolution roll into existence. Ford's timing couldn't have been better as the baby boom generation was just coming of car-buying age. The baby boomers wanted something very different from what their parents were driving. They wanted to express their own individuality. The Mustang was their answer.

The cars barely had time to relax between the production line and the showroom floor as dealers churned out more than 22,000 orders on the car's first day on sale.

It debuted at a price of $2,368 and weighed only 2,572 pounds. With its 170-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine, three-speed, floor-mounted manual transmission and seating for four, it offered a comfortable ride and functional appeal.

Mustang rapidly evolved into a vehicle judged by much more than just numbers. In Chicago, a dealership closed early and called police to slow the stampeding Mustang prospects while a restaurateur invited his customers to sample his 'hotcakes that were selling like Mustangs.' Something special was happening.

One million were sold by March 1966. They were parked in everyone's driveway, but Ford was most excited about those people eagerly awaiting their first driver's license. They wanted their cars to be different and Mustang delivered.

The 1964½ model was the patriarch of subsequent changes to hoods, interiors, headlamps, and spoilers. As Mustang weaved in and out of different generations, the vehicle generated an iconic status. Running alongside the best European road cars, it soon became a racing-inspired legend.

Mustang needed racing as much as racing needed Mustang. Right out of the blocks, the pony car was a champion, taking both first and second place in the 1964 Tour de France International rally. By the end of the sixties, Mustang led the SCCA Trans-Am series.

Body styles and engine sizes changed throughout the decade. By 1969, the Mustang offered major style changes, a roomier and more luxurious interior, and even more power. To performance enthusiasts, 1969 meant Mach 1, Boss 429 and Boss 302.

Throughout the seventies and eighties, Mustang evolved from a stocky and imposing-looking machine to a vehicle with clean and crisp lines. The 1979 Mustang design wound up running a full 15 model years thanks in part to its performance roots. In 1987, the basic design became truly slick with a smoother nose, flush headlamps, and black body trim; and in 1989, Mustang celebrated its 25th birthday and received another successful facelift.

Dramatically restyled and churning with power, the 1994 Mustang got a performance pump from Ford's Special Vehicle Team (the second-generation SVT Cobra) and was sold to customers with the slogan 'It is what it was.' The rest of the decade molded the Mustang into a vehicle that mingled nostalgia with new lines and curves…and, of course, more power.

The last major redesign of the Mustang came three years ago. Since then, the company has continually kept customer's excitement with special interest models like the Mustang Cobra, Cobra R racing edition and the Mustang Bullitt GT. For 2003, the Mustang Mach I returned replete with the 'shaker' hood scoop and more than 300 horsepower.

Source - Ford

Ford Introduces 2005 Mustang With BFGoodrich Tires

The Perfect Combination Of Performance Car And Performance Tire

When the new 2005 Ford Mustang GT took to the stage for its world premier at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, it rolled out on a set of BFGoodrich g-Force T/A®KDW tires.

'We are honored that Ford has chosen to outfit their icon vehicle, the 2005 Mustang with BFGoodrich tires,' said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division. 'Without a doubt, BFGoodrich tires are the perfect performance tire for one of the most popular performance sports cars of all time.'

The combination of the Ford Mustang and BFGoodrich tires results in an excellent technical match, but more importantly represents the high standards, image and heritage of American performance.

Designing the newest tires for an American automotive icon is no easy matter. Mustang is the most popular vehicle in its segment and also the nation's best selling convertible. The new 2005 Mustang is modern in design theme with smoothed styling and production techniques but looks to its past with cues reminiscent of the late 1960s Mustangs.

Chosen to provide tires for the 2005 Mustang, BFGoodrich designers have helped deliver the outstanding performance and handling that has been associated with the Ford Mustang for nearly 40 years.

The launch of the 2005 Ford Mustang on BFGoodrich tires is not the first time the two companies have teamed up for a new vehicle. BFGoodrich Tires got its start in the automotive industry in 1896 when company engineers began manufacturing pneumatic tires for horseless carriages. BFGoodrich was the first tire maker to produce and sell pneumatic tires for cars in America. It was natural then that in 1903 Henry Ford selected BFGoodrich Tires to outfit his first Model A.

'We are proud to continue our heritage as a technology developer and supplier to Ford,' said Chubb. 'The combination of these two quintessential brands is no accident and we're looking forward to beginning a new era in American sports car history.'

BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering high-performance tires for every type of vehicle from ultra-high performance tuner vehicles, sports cars and SUVs to the hottest sport trucks, pick-ups and rock-crawling rigs in the world.

For more than 30 years, BFGoodrich has used motorsports as a proving ground. Success on the street begins with winning on the track and BFGoodrich is involved in every type of racing, including oval, road, drag, desert and extreme rock-crawling. With 18 consecutive Baja 1000 wins, the most rock-crawling wins in history and an unmatched record on pavement, BFGoodrich Tires has proven the only records it breaks are its own. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

Source - BFGoodrich Media

Like a massive automotive supernova, the 2005 Mustang is lighting up Ford dealerships across North America.
Checkbooks in hand, customers are often waiting outside dealerships before the new Mustangs are even unloaded from their carriers. Others are snapping them up as soon as the vehicles hit the showroom floor.

Some are traveling hundreds of miles to buy them, and, on one occasion, customers have trailed vehicle carriers loaded with Mustangs to a local dealership. According to a Kentucky dealership, police have even pulled new Mustang models over to take a closer look at them.

'There's no question the Mustang is a smash hit. It's doing extremely well in the marketplace,' said Ford Division President Steve Lyons. 'We're just trying to keep up with demand.'

George Pipas, Ford Motor Company sales analysis manager, said he has never seen anything like it.

'In my 28 years at Ford, I have never seen a product go in and out of the showroom as quickly as Mustang,' said Pipas.

Mustang sales were up 12 percent in November from a year earlier. But even more importantly, sales to retail customers were up by 50 percent, according to Mustang Launch Marketing Manager Killol Bhuta.

'We're seeing sales levels exceeding our own objectives,' said Bhuta.

The 2005 Mustangs that actually make it to the showroom floor have drawn throngs of onlookers -- some content just to crowd around and admire it -- frequently spurring warm recollections about the Mustangs they have owned or driven.

In recent years, warm receptions have greeted a number of retro-styled vehicles built by other manufacturers, such as the Volkswagen Beetle in 1999 and the Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2000. But the Mustang splash seems bigger than anything else in memory, according to Ford dealer John Nakamura at Albany (Calif.) Ford.

'I have never, ever seen so much emotion from the public as with the Mustang,' said Nakamura.

Tim McKee, sales manager at Friendly Ford, in Springfield, Mo., agrees.

'I have been in the car business for many, many years and I have never seen anything like the traffic this new Mustang has driven to our dealership,' said McKee. 'People stop by and just stand and look at the car. I have kept the showroom open later than normal every night since its arrival just to satisfy customers' thirst for this new car.'

While some people aren't exactly shopping, they are content just to look, treating the 2005 Mustang as though it were on exhibit. McKee said that a fire truck recently stopped outside Friendly Ford and five firemen jumped out to spend about 15 minutes looking the Mustang over.

Auto writers seem to like the car, too. In its January, 2005 issue, Car and Driver named the Mustang a 10Best car by writing: 'The first truly new Mustang in 26 years is on the street and it goes good, looks bitchin', and the GT version is an unbeatable performance buy: 300 horsepower for 25,000 bucks?The key to its eye appeal is obvious ? an inspired revival of the late '60s Mustangs, arguably some of the best of the breed. Stir in bargain pricing, plus the absence of direct competition, and you have a formula that adds up to can't lose.'

Columnist David Thomas from Autoblog Garage wrote: 'I know I?ve only been driving it a day and most of that has been stop and go city traffic. But I?ve never been in a Mustang that is so stellar. On a personal note I?m not a Ford or GM guy, or even a Mopar freak. I?ve never understood the rivalry. I just like to drive good cars. Deliver me a Kia that rocks and I?ll write about it. I say all this because I?m in love with the new Ford Mustang.'

During his test drive, auto writer Robert Bowden wrote in an online review that the '05 Mustang 'turns so many heads, you will wish you were a chiropractor.'

Aside from craning a few necks, the vehicle is opening wallets too. At Steve Coury Ford in Cottonwood, Ariz., a woman in a 2000 Mustang happened to see a 2005 model sitting on a carrier as she was driving by. She pulled into the dealership and bought it on the spot. 'My first Mustang sold in five minutes,' said sales representative Steve Coury.

At Wickstrom Ford in Barrington, Illinois, the staff sold three Mustangs off a carrier trailer in one day and wrote up five more orders as they were delivering those same three cars to customers. In Manteo, N.C., a red Mustang GT hit the Sawyer Motor Co.'s showroom on a Thursday afternoon and was gone by Saturday.

'Our dealers are telling us that customer reaction to the new Mustang has been nothing short of spectacular,' said Brant Noltie, director, Field Operations, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. 'Mustang and our other 'Next Generation of Ford' all-new vehicles -- Five Hundred, Freestyle, Escape Hybrid and Super Duty -- are creating quite a buzz in the marketplace.'

In Dearborn, Mich., Bob Wheat, general manager at Village Ford, had to reserve a new Mustang from the dealership's for-sale stock so that the showroom would have one for customers to see.

'The reaction to this car is the best we have seen in 20 years,' Wheat said. 'Anytime you have sold out your inventory for the next two months, I consider that a hit.'

Source - Ford Media

The Mustang was introduced at the 1965 New York World's Fair, Mustang Mania instantly swept the country, and a new automotive market segment was created - the 2+2 or better known as the 'ponycar.' Though its mechanical underpinnings descended from the Falcon, the Mustang was completely different. It was a compact, tight, clean package weighing in at a modest 2,550 pounds - a departure from the ever-enlarging American cars of the day. The classic long-hood short-rear-deck combined with a forward-leaning grille, elegant blade bumpers, sculptured body sides, fully exposed wheel openings and restrained use of bright trim gave the car a unique look that belied its affordability. Its looks were backed up with power, providing three optional V8 engines with up to 271 horsepower. Other options included automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, styled chrome wheels and air conditioning. Not surprisingly, the entry-level modes were a minority of the production.

To say that the first Mustang was a success is an understatement. Following the introduction, the Mustang was on the cover of both Time and Newsweek. A week before introduction, Ford ran ads with the air times for the first television commercials, which all three networks broadcasted simultaneously. Mustang was selected as the Official Pace Car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500, and more than 22,000 orders were taken the first day. By its first anniversary, over 418,000 Mustangs had been sold, breaking the all-time record for first year sales of a new nameplate.

The original platform was used, with numerous modifications, up to 1973. The Pinto-based Mustang II was built from 1974 until 1978. A new fox body platform began in 1979 and was largely unchanged through 1993. In 1994 the SN-95, a modified version of the Fox body, debuted and was produced until 2004. The 2005 Mustang is built on the first entirely new platform in 25 years.

1964 1/2 - 1973 The Growing Years - In More Ways Than One.

Until 1967, Mustang had this new market all to itself. For 1965 a new 2+2 Fastback model added as was the GT Equipment Group. Both performance and aesthetically minded, this group included front disk brakes; grille-mounted fog lights, 5-gauge instrumentation, GT stripes and badges and special dual 'trumpet' exhaust outlets. 1966 brought a huge shot in the arm to the ponycar moniker - the first Shelby GT 350. Built on the 2+2 Fastback by famed racer/car builder Carroll Shelby, these cars featured race-tuned engines and suspensions. By mid-1966, Mustang passed the one-million sales mark.

On the track, the Mustang name was quickly establishing itself in many motorsports arenas. In 1965, Mustang assumed the role as Ford's rally car. Carroll Shelby, famed builder of the Cobra, created race-ready cars for SCCA's production class B competition against the likes of Chevrolet's Corvette and the Jaguar E-Type. Shelby's goal was accomplished when the GT 350 took the B-Production Championship from Corvette. Shelby Mustangs were also successful in the world of drag racing. Ford campaigned several highly modified A/FX altered Mustangs equipped with 427 'Cammer' motors in National Hot Rod Association drag racing events. 1966 brought the creation of the SCCA Trans Am professional racing series for V-8 sedans of 305 cubic inches or less. Mustang took the Trans Am Manufacturers' Cup in 1966. The Shelby GT 350 repeated the previous year's success as B-Production Champion.

With the introduction of Chevy's Camaro, Pontiac's Firebird, and Ford's sister division 2+2, the Mercury Cougar, the rest of the industry both brought serious competition to the Mustang and further legitimized the 2+2 'ponycar' market. Ford foresaw the coming competition, and designed the 1967 Mustang to accommodate its 390 cubic-inch V8. In addition to the mechanical changes, the Mustang was restyled inside and out. This began the era of the growing Mustang, as it gained a couple inches in length and width nearly every year until 1973. A GT 350 H was introduced, a special edition made specifically for Hertz Rent-A-Car outlets. Stories of 'Rent-A-Racers' being returned with telltale signs of racing use are still told today. The options list grew as well, and Ford's largest engine quickly went from the 390 to the 428 Cobra Jet. Shelby also upped the ante with the GT 500 in 1967 and the GT 500 KR ('King of the Road') in 1968. The GT 350 also continued on. In racing, despite new competition from the Camaro, Plymouth Barracuda, and Mercury Cougar, Mustang again won the Trans Am Manufacturers' Cup. Capping the year, Shelby's GT 350 once again took the SCCA B-Production crown. Perhaps the most famous Mustang of the time was the 1968 Highland Green 390 Mustang fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Many still consider the final chase scene to be the best ever filmed.

The car again grew larger and heavier in 1969, and the grille sprouted four headlights. Also introduced in 1969, the Boss 302 - brain child of former GM designer Larry Shinoda - was a special version of Ford's 302 cubic-inch engine with larger canted valve heads for better efficiency and more power. The rarest Mustang by far was the Boss 429, built for the sole purpose of qualifying the new 'Semi-Hemi' engine for NASCAR racing. Only 857 Boss 429 Mustangs were built. More competition arrived in 1970 with the Dodge Challenger and a redesigned Plymouth Barracuda. The Boss 429 was discontinued after only 499 copies were made. 1970 also marked the end of the GT 350 and GT 500.

1970 would be Ford's last year for factory-sponsored racing until the 1980s. The Trans Am series boasted the most competitive field ever in both the driving talent and the cars. Ford's Boss 302 team, led by Parnelli Jones and George Follmer, took on AMC's Mark Donahue, Camaro driver Jim Hall, Pontiac's Jerry Titus, Dan Gurney's All American Racers and their Plymouth Barracuda, Sam Posey in the all-new Dodge Challenger. The competition was fierce and well matched throughout the series. In the end, the Mustang team was triumphant allowing Ford to go out on top.

By 1971, the car had become nearly 8 inches longer and 6 inches wider than the original 1965 model. Mustang was now a full-fledged muscle car, moving beyond the 2+2 market niche it created. The Grande and Mach 1 returned, however, the Boss 302 was replaced by the Boss 351. Engine choices ranged from six cylinder economy to the mighty 429 Super Cobra Jet V-8. Many forces converged by 1973 that signaled a change from the fast-and-furious start of the 2+2. Soaring gas and insurance costs and the addition of emissions and safety equipment brought the muscle car era to an end, and Ford began positioning the Mustang as a luxury car. The end of 1973 would begin a hiatus for both the V-8 engine and the convertible.

1974 - 1978 A Mustang Trapped in a Pinto's Body.

Lee Iacocca, then president of Ford and instrumental in the design of the first Mustang, had long been unhappy with Mustang's direction. The car got progressively bigger and sales dipped. Any questions about returning to a smaller Mustang were answered by the first OPEC oil embargo in 1973, which spurred an immediate run on fuel-efficient cars. The Mustang II was introduced mid year in 1973 as a 1974 model. Built on the Pinto platform, the Mustang II was substantially smaller than the prior model and even smaller than the original. Rack and pinion steering and front disk brakes were made standard. Engine choices were limited to a 2.3 liter four cylinder and a 2.8 V-6. This would be the first year for a four and the only year without an available V-8. The coup and fastback would soldier on without the convertible - which would not return for twelve years. The Mach 1 continued on, but had dropped from nearly 7 robust lines (429 cubic inches) to 2.8 liters and 105 horsepower. The formula seemed to work, however - Mustang II got over 20 MPG and sold 385,000 for the model year.

1975 brought the return of the 302 (5.0 Liter) V-8 however at only 122 horsepower. Other than increasing this to 139 horsepower in the Cobra II, most changes through 1978 were limited to trim and option packages. After its initial year, sales remained consistent at around 150,000 to 190,000 and earned the marque a new lease on life.

1979-1993 The Speed of a Horse with the Smarts of a Fox.

Based on the Ford Fairmont, the 'Fox' body would be the longest running platform in Mustang history. As an example, the doors of a 1979 can be interchanged with those of a 1993. The Fox body also brought modern design and a renewed commitment to performance. A 2.3 Liter four cylinder was again standard with upgrades of a turbocharged four, 2.8 Liter V6 and 5.0 Liter V8. Mustang paced the 1979 Indianapolis 500 and nearly 370,000 units were sold.

1981 saw the addition of the T-Roof Convertible and 1982 brought the return of the GT with a revised 5.0 High-Output V-8 rated at 157 horsepower. Ford's resurgent racing program blasted out of the gates with International MotorSports Association (IMSA) GT racing, where the turbocharged Miller Mustang, driven by Klaus Ludwig, came within a 10th of a second of winning its first race over the dominant Porsche 935 Turbos. Ludwig was only getting started. He handed the vaunted Porsches defeat with back-to-back victories at Brainerd and Sears Point. Elsewhere, Tom Gloy put a Mustang in the Trans-Am winner's circle for the first time in a decade when he won the 1981 season finale at Sears Point. In SCCA road racing, Mustang became the first domestic car ever to win the Showroom Stock national championship when Ron Smaldone drove his turbo Mustang to victory at Road Atlanta.

The big news for 1983 was the mid-year introduction of the first true Mustang convertible in a decade, which accounted for 20,000 sales in the short 6 month season. On the performance front, the 5.0 V8 bumped up to 205 horsepower. For Mustang's 20th Anniversary, in 1984, Ford offered the most interesting line up in years. The GT was back in hatchback and convertible, and a new European-inspired Mustang SVO debuted. Developed by the Special Vehicle Operations department, the limited edition model was powered by a fuel injected intercooled 175 horsepower four cylinder engine. The SVO also featured unique exterior appointments, an upgraded interior, and was also the most expensive model.

By 1984, Ford had staked out the IMSA GTO series as Mustang turf. Jack Roush, the Carroll Shelby of the eighties, came on the scene with hot racers. A Roush-prepared Mustang won the GTO class in the three-hour IMSA 1984 season finale at Daytona. It was the beginning of Mustangs reign as the king of GTO. The following February, Mustang won the GTO classes at Daytona 24 Hours - the first of three consecutive victories in the season-opening marathon.

Mustang received a facelift for 1985, and horsepower continued to climb. The 5.0 H.O V-8 was increased to 210, and the SVO squeezed 205 horsepower out of a 2.3 liter engine. This would be the rarest SVO model as only 1,954 were built. The V-8 switched to fuel injection in 1986, the year that restyling of both the interior and exterior, and a bump in the GT horsepower to 255. The Roush Mustangs carried on the winning tradition in 1986 with eight more GTO wins and another manufacturers' title. In drag racing, Rickie Smith drove his Motorcraft Mustangs to the semifinals or better at all 11 races on the International Hot Rod Association schedule, and took the IHRA Pro Stock world championship.

1998 was a pivotal year in Mustang history. Ford planned to change the Mustang to a front wheel drive derivative of the Mazda MX-6. An uprising in the Mustang enthusiast community ensued, as did some pointed questions from the automotive press. Thousands of letters decrying the idea of a 'Maztang' or 'Musda' beseiged Ford's product planners and the new car went on to be the Probe. Ford scrapped the idea at the last minute, cementing the Mustang heritage for the future. The decision however locked in the Fox platform for the next five years.

From 1989 to 1992 changes were limited to wheel and tire combinations and the introduction of 'Special Edition' models in non-standard colors. 1993 would be the final year of the original Fox body Mustang. Ford re-introduced the Cobra, rated at 235 horsepower and distinguished by unique front and rear bodywork. 107 Cobra R models were built which included track tuned suspension and deleted the rear seat, radio, fog lights and other components to reduce weight.

1994-2004 Refining the Breed.

Mustang celebrated its 30th Anniversary with an all new body and interior for 1994, calling on design cues from the Mustang's first decade. The 2.3 liter four was retired and the 3.8 V-6 became the base engine. The GT retained the 5.0 V-8 and the SVT Cobra returned, now with 240 horsepower. The Mustang Cobra served as pace car for the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and a limited series of the Rio Red pace car replicas were sold.

Mustang was an immediate hit and remained unchanged while Ford continued to fill orders. Another Cobra R was released, this time with a 300 horsepower 351 cubic inch (5.4 liter) V-8 and Tremec 5 speed manual transmission The R model was sold nearly race-ready with a revised suspension and fuel cell. The rear seat, radio, air-conditioning, power windows and seats were deleted to save weight. Only 250 units were built which became instant collector's items.

In 1989 the Trans-Am series was again attractive to American muscle, though the cars only look like a Mustang - the underpinnings were that of a purpose-built race chassis built to modern motorsports standards. The Mustang dominated in 1995, 1996, 1997 and again in 1999. Ironically, the 1999 driver, who had switched to a Jaguar, kept the classic Ford pushrod V-8 underfoot and kept winning.

1996 ushered in Ford's long-anticipated modular engine program, which saw replacement of the venerable 5.0 with a 4.6 liter overhead cam V8 with 225 horsepower on tap. The Cobra utilized a dual overhead cam aluminum block version rated at 305 horsepower. A limited edition 'Mystic Cobra' was built with color shifting paint that changed from black to green to purple to gold as the light hit the car. The paint alone cost about $2,000.00 per car. The Mustang carried over basically unchanged from 1997 and 1998.

Mustang's 35th year was marked with a new sharp-edged body. The base V-6 was now rated at 195 horsepower (more than the original 5.0 H.O. of 1982). The GTs 4.6 was upgraded to 260 horsepower, while the dual cam Cobra was now pumping out 320. One of the benefits of the redesign was the inclusion of a fully independent rear suspension on the Cobra, the first for a production model. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix marked the occasion by making Mustang the spotlight car of the America car show.

For 2000, the only Cobra for the year was a new R model. Wilder than any previous Mustang, the R featured a dual overhead cam 5.4 liter monster rated at 385 horsepower. A six-speed gearbox and 18-inch wheels and tires moved the power to the ground. Outside, the R was immediately recognizable by its domed hood, front air dam and rear wing spoiler. Only 300 Cobra Rs were built. The remaining Mustangs carried over from the prior year.

SVT was back with a new Cobra in the spring of 2002. Once again SVT topped their previous efforts with a supercharged dual cam 4.6 that Ford rated at 390 horsepower. Testers found this number to be greatly understated, as the actual output was closer to 425. The Cobra models also carried a SVT 10th anniversary badge.

The Mach 1 returned as a special edition for 2003 for the first time since 1978, and featured a functional ram air 'shaker' hood scoop and a modern interpretation of the Magnum 500 wheels used on the original 1969 models. The GT and base models continued unchanged.

2005 A new beginning with a nod to the past.

Built on its own platform which borrows slightly from the Lincoln LS, the body shape combines styling cues from some of the most memorable Mustangs of the past. From the front, 1967-1969 Mustangs come to mind. The side quarter windows recall the 1966 Shelby GT 350 and the rear retains the tri-part tail lights and faux gas filler which was a Mustang trademark from 1964-1/2 to 1973. On the performance side, the GT now comes with a three valve per cylinder 4.6 with 300 horsepower. The base motor is now a 4.0 rated at 210 horsepower. Ford has previewed the 2007 Shelby Cobra GT 500 which is slated for late 2006. As shown, the GT 500 includes a supercharged 5.4 liter engine rated at 450 horsepower making it the most powerful Mustang ever built.41 years have passed since April 17, 1964. As in the beginning, Mustang stands alone having outlived all of the challengers created in its wake, and have revolutionized an entire segment of the American automotive market. Its fans can expect many more happy years for the original ponycar.

Source - PVGP

Photos grouped by event
2005 PVGP Car Show	2005 Flashlight Drags	2005 Scarsdale Concours, New York

2005 Ford Mustang GT
Year	2005
Make	Ford
Model	Mustang GT
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	2005 -
Price	$18,000.00
Weight	3300 lbs \| 1496.9 kg

Engine [Optional Engines]
Engine Configuration	V
Cylinders	6
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	245.00 CU IN. \| 4015.6 cc. \| 4 L.
Valves	12 valves. 2 valves per cylinder.
Valvetrain	SOHC
Horsepower	202.00 BHP (148.7 KW) @ 5250.00 RPM
Torque	235.00 Ft-Lbs (318.7 NM) @ 3500.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio	16.3 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter	50.5 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	9.7:1
	Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Transmission Information
Gears	5
Transmission	Automatic
Final Drive	2.24:1

Transmission Information
Gears	5
Transmission	Manual
Final Drive	2.24:1

Dimensions
Seating Capacity	4
Exterior
Length	182.001 in \| 4622.8 mm.
Width	74.001 in \| 1879.6 mm.
Height	50.701 in \| 1287.8 mm.
Wheelbase	107.101 in \| 2720.4 mm.
Front Track	62.301 in \| 1582.4 mm.
Rear Track	62.501 in \| 1587.5 mm.
Ground Clearance	5.701 in \| 144.8 mm.
	Vehicles with similar dimensions

Brakes
Front Brakes	Brembro, Disc, Ventilated
Rear Brakes	Brembro, Disc, Ventilated
Front Brake Size	13.001 in \| 330.2 mm.
Rear Brake Size	13.001 in \| 330.2 mm.

Tires / Wheels
Tires	Front : 245/40ZR20 Rear : 275/35ZR20

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