2001 Ford Mustang

The 2001 Ford Mustang was part of the Fourth Generation that was built from 1994 through 2004. Wearing several styling cues from earlier Mustangs, its first major redesign in fifteen years was code-named 'SN-95' and performed by Patrick Schiavone. Based on an updated version of the rear-wheel-drive Fox platform called 'Fox-4,' is was initially powered by a 3.8-liter overhead valve V6 engine rated at 145 horsepower and backed by a five-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. In 1999 it received another styling updated with Ford's New Edge styling theme that gave it larger wheel arches, sharper contours, and creased in its bodywork.

The 2001 Ford Mustang received a 3.8-liter V6 engine that had a slight power increase of 3 horsepower - now rated at 193 bhp. The overhead-valve unit had sequential electronic fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, and a 9.36:1 compression ratio. Body styles included a coupe and convertible with the coupe having a base price of $17,700, an increase of approximately $700 over the previous year. Styling changes for 2001 included new blacked-out headlights and spoilers, a new console with a larger rear cupholder, a repositioned front cupholder, a tissue holder, a parking brake boot, and a 12volt powerpoint. A new six-disc in-dash CD player became available with the Mach 460 Sound System and a rear-window defroster became standard on all models.

Standard equipment included the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, remote keyless entry, an electronic AM/FM stereo cassette tape player with single-disc CD and premium speakers, an 80-watt integrated amplifier, a dual horn note, and a tunnel mounted parking brake with an integral boot. There was a manual control air conditioning system, monochromatic full wrapover door trim, soft flow-through door panels with full-length armrests and vinyl inserts, a color-keyed headliner, color-keyed safety belts, a color-keyed shifter bezel, color-keyed A and C pillar appliques, color-keyed upper instrument panel finish, and color-keyed instrument cluster finish. Safety features included a three-point active restraint system, child seat tether anchor brackets on the package tray, second generation driver and front passenger airbags, and Solar-Tinted glass.

The 15x7 inch six-spoke cast-aluminum wheels were wrapped with P205/65R15 all-season black sidewall tires. Mechanical features included a heavy-duty 130-amp alternator, disc brakes, power rack-and-pinion steering, a modified MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar, and a rear coil spring four-bar-link suspension. The convertibles a power-retractable top with a semi-hard boot housed the top when it was lowered. A hydraulic system allowed the top to be lowered and raised quickly. The rear window was made of scratch-resistant glass.

The Mustang GT models added a tall, non-functional hood scoop, side scoops, body-color front and rear fascias, dual tailpipes, front fog lamps, three-tiered taillights, dual electric remote-control outside rearview mirrors, and a single-wing rear deck lid spoiler. The single overhead camshaft V8 engine used sequential electronic fuel injection to help the 281 cubic-inch unit produced 260 horsepower at 5,250 RPM and 302 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 RPM. The suspension was upgraded with GT calibrations, variable rate coil springs, and quadra-link shock setup. The 17x8-inch six-spoke wheels had P245/45ZR17 sidewall performance tires.

The base price of the Mustang GT was $23,330 for the coupe which was approximately $5,600 more than the base coupe. The GT Convertible sold for $27,585. With the GT Premium option group applied, the price rose an additional $1,100.

For 2001 Ford introduced the Mustang GT Bullitt Edition based on the 1968 fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Available only as a coupe, the Bullitt Mustang came with numerous body modifications that included side scoops, 17-inch American Racing aluminum wheels, modified C pillars and quarter panel molding, Rocker panel molding, brushed aluminum fuel filler door located on the quarter panel, Special Bullitt badging, polished-rolled tailpipe tips, and a lowered suspension (by 3/4 of an inch). Available colors included Dark Highland Green, Black, and TrueBlue. Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) had selected Dark highland Green for his Mustang in 1968. 723 buyers selected TrueBlue, 1,818 were black, and 3,041 were Dark Highland Green.

The 4.6-liter V-8 engine had high-flow mufflers, a twin 57mm diameter throttle body, and a cast aluminum intake manifold. It produced 265 horsepower and came with five-speed manual overdrive transmission. The suspension was modified with re-valved Tokico struts and shocks, modified stabilizer bars, and frame rail connectors. Stopping power was provided by 13-inch Brembo front brake rotors and Brembo performance brake calipers. The interior was done in unique leather surfaced seat trim with a 'Heritage' instrument cluster, a charcoal interior, and serialized special edition identification.

The cost of this exclusive Bullitt coupe began at $26,830 and 5,532 examples were built in 2001. Although expensive, the most expensive Mustang for 2001 was the Mustang SVT Cobra, which sold for $29,200. Ford built 3,867 examples of the coupe in 2001 and 3,384 of the convertible. Total 2001 Ford Mustang production was approximately 155,563 units.

The heart of the Mustang SVT Cobra was a double overhead camshaft V8 engine with aluminum block and heads, hydraulic valve lifters, a sequential electronic fuel injection, and 320 horsepower. Several distinguishable body modifications instantly separated it from its Mustang siblings including the Cobra badges, the word 'Cobra' on the rear fascia, an SVT badge, polished three-inch diameter exhaust tips, tri-color taillights, a unique hood design, round driving lights, and a deep intake that allowed air through the cooling system. The SVT Cobra could be ordered with the optional low-drag spoiler.

Mechanical improvements included a rear limited-slip differential, a modified MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and coil springs, an independent rear suspension with steel upper and aluminum lower control arms and coils springs, 13-inch Vented Brembo discs brakes and PBR twin-piston calipers, ABS, and 17x8-inch five-spoke cast aluminum alloy wheels with performance tires.

The hood and rear deck were formed from lightweight composite materials. The interior housed all-new seats with added support, and a six-disc in-dash CD player. There was air conditioning, dual illuminated visor-vanity mirrors, sport front bucket seats with six-way power driver's seats, a rear split-folding bench seat, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and remote power door locks.

The SVT Premium Service plan was announced in 2001 that added additional care and service to the SVT buying experience. No cost loaner vehicles were available while the owner's vehicles were being serviced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020