Remember back in '94 through '98 when many of us were thinking Ford was bent on changing our Mustang into some sort of BMW wannabe? First it was the SN-94's softer styling with the "BMWish" high rear deck, then in '96 our beloved 5.0 engine disappeared and was replaced by a smooth, mild-mannered OHC engine. All the while our once stallion was being reduced to a Shetland pony by the competition's snorting testosterone-filled 275 HP Z/28s and Trans Ams. Sure, the little pony was still winning the sales war, but WE were losing the performance battles. The GM twins were flat-out kickin' pony ass! A Z/28 at a stoplight no longer meant, "let's get it on", it was now oh, crap... I need to make a quick left or right-hand turn. It felt like our favorite wild horse was being tamed by a guy wearing a bow tie.
Then, finally in '99, our Mustang kicked up its hooves when the SOHC got a rompin' 35 HP increase. A couple years later a 265 HP Bullitt showed up, followed by fabulous Mach 1 and an awesome "Terminator" Mustang. Now the stable is waiting for a storming 300-HP GT sporting some mean-looking styling. From smooth and refined, to in-your-face muscle. What a switch in product direction, huh?!
Why am I talking about this? With all these wonderful things happening in the Mustang world I sort of forgot about where it seemed we were heading back in '94-'98. And how quickly things turned around, back to what a Mustang is all about. It all happened so fast I was just wondering if anyone else noticed. To tell you the truth, I hadn't given it much thought until I saw this new ad for the Mach 1. In the bottom corner of the ad it reads: "Mach 1 - The muscle car lives on."
As happy as I am about seeing our stallion running wild again, a part of me is sad a new Camaro and Firebird aren't around to be part of it... I think they'd love to be trying to run along side...
Patrick '93 Cobra '83 LTD