Mustang Mach 1

There’s something special about the firsts. First loves, first glances, first Mach 1. Fords first Mach 1 appeared in August of 1968 with numerous engine options. It did feature a very popular engine, 428 cubic inch 7.0L Cobra Jet big block having 335 horses. However, the standard was the 351W-2V V-8 having 250 horsepower. It had twin-set headlamps, a mouthy grille, and sleek lines that made it an all around loved car. The inside of this beast featured a vinyl Sports Interior, which included high-back bucket seats, a console, molded door panels, and twin-pod instrumentation. A tachometer was optional.

The Mach 1’s optional Drag Pack was available only with the 428 Cobra Jet. It included 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 Traction-Lok gears, a remote engine oil cooler, and staggered rear shocks in thefour-speed version.

1969 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 FASTBACK

In 1971 It changed with a new look for the public eye. It featured two-tone paint, NACA hood with dual scoops, although the Shaker hood scoop was popular. The headlamps were moved inside the grille mouth. The side scoops and styled steel wheels were removed. In place of the steel wheels sport wheel covers were standard with Firestone wide ovals. A few other changes included honeycomb tail panel and recessed, three-element tail lamps.

1971 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 FASTBACK

The Mach 1 for 1972 was virtually unchanged, retaining the visual features.

1972 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 FASTBACK

The ’73 Mach 1 had a grille and graphics update. The most powerful engine that year was the 351C-4V Cobra Jet.

1973 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1 FASTBACK

The Mach 1 name was revived after 25 years, this new variation on the GT coupe carried a naturally aspirated twin cam Cobra V-8 tuned for 300 horsepower and topped by a functional “shaker” hood scoop straight from the Sixties.

The 2003 had a slightly lowered suspension, Brembo brakes, a black hood stripe and other unique cosmetics, and “comfort-weave styled” leather upholstery.

2003 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1

2004 brought minimal changes since it was the last year on the SN-95 platform. Only 10 extra horses for the Mach 1.

2004 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1

 

 

Is there a 2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt Coming?

Is there a 2018 Bullitt Mustang coming? Speculations have lead the Mustang community in believing that there might actually be a Bullitt, making its re-appearance in 2018.

Photos of a mysterious Mustang doing a commercial shoot that were posted on Mustang6G.com show a dark green coupe without any badges riding on black wheels with silver rims, just like the car Steve McQueen’s character drove in the famous San Francisco-based police thriller “Bullitt.”

This just might be our latest clue to what Ford has in the works.

This isn’t the first time it has been spotted this year though, earlier in the year sketches of a car that looks just like the one in the new photo below appeared in the background of a video hosted by Ford spokesman Dwayne Johnson.

The dark green paint, Torq Thrust-style wheels and lack of badges all point to a Bullitt

Although this isn’t the first ever time Ford has done this, they did it in 2001.

Ford has not confirmed plans for a new Bullitt Mustang, yet! Stay tuned, we will keep you updated.

 

Ford Mustang Cobra and Cobra R

The Ford Mustang is a really well engineered Vehicle. There have been many different types of mustangs manufactured since the first production year in 1964.

Here we are going to share what a SVT Cobra, and an SVT Cobra R is.

First off, SVT stands for Special Vehicle team. The special vehicle team develops the higher performance vehicles for Ford, and the Cobra is just one of many that they develop.

The cobra was introduced in 1993, and has limited production. Performance wise the cobra is very impressive, since it used Ford’s GT40 high-performance engine equipment.

The Cobra R, which is a race spin off of the Cobra was also produced in the same year. Its features were more or less for racing purposes only. In fact the Cobra R does not even have a stereo or air conditioning system within the car. So if you are looking for an enjoyable cruise sports car the Cobra R is not it.

1993 Cobra R

In 2000 Only 300 SVT Cobra R Mustangs were built and they all came in Performance Red. There were no general SVT Cobras built in 2000. The Cobra R came with a 5.4L V8 engine that put out 395 horsepower, Canton 8-quart oil pain, McCleod aluminum flywheel, a Tremec T-56 6-speed transmission, 4 inch aluminum drive shaft, 8.8 inch short shaft 31-spline fully independent rear suspension, Brembo 4-piston calipers with 13-inch rotors, Eibach 800lb/750lb springs, Bistien shock absorbers, Borla mufflers with side exit exhaust, and Recaro seats.

2000 Cobra R

Now back to the Cobra, in 1993 is when the World seen the introduction to the SVT Cobra. The SVT Cobra had a modified body panels, better handling, and 235 horsepower. The front grille is similar to the GT, but the top has an opening with a horse emblem and the lower has removed side scoops. The rear was a one piece design with exhaust cutouts and a special trunk lid spoiler.

1993 Hatchback Cobra

Come 1994, the second year of the Cobra you could now get it in the coupe or convertible. It had a new front fascia with integrated fog lamps, cobra snake emblems, a custom rear spoiler with built in LEP lamps, better handling, and V8 engine which pushed out about 25 more horsepower for this Pretty Pony! Fun fact, All 1994 Cobra convertibles were Rio Red Indianapolis Pace Car replicas.

1994 Coupe

1994 Convertible

The 1995 Cobra was pretty much a do over from 1994 except for the SVT emblem on the trunk lid. The Cobra R came with 300 HP, 5.4 L V8 engine with better handling options. The 1995 Cobra R only came in Crystal White.

1995 Coupe

1995 Convertible

In 1996 the Special Vehicle Team was trying to one up the Cobra that was previously produced, and Boy did they. It came with a 4.6 L 32 Valve double overhead cam V8. They also introduced a Cobra exclusive color, Mystic. (Shifts from blue to purple, to green, and black.) To have the Mystic colored car that was an extra $815.00 back in 96.

1996 Coupe

1996 Convertible

1997 Came with few but limited amounts of changes from 96. The grille opening was enlarged and a new color, Pacific Green, was offered. Optional equipment continued to be limited to just the Preferred Equipment Package (Mach 460 sound system and leather seats) and the rear deck lid spoiler.

1997 Coupe

1997 Convertible

Again, for 1998 the Cobra seen few but limited changes from 97-98. The SVT Cobra in 98 consisted of the following, yellow paint was available, a new 5-spoke wheel design was used, the under-hood tower brace was redesigned, and there were a few interior changes. Standard equipment was ABS, sport seats, the premium sound system, power equipment, rear window defroster, AC, cruise control, floor mats, lighted visor mirrors, and key-less entry. Optional equipment was few; extra interior leather trim and a rear spoiler.

1998 Coupe

1998 Convertible

In 1999 the Cobra had a redesign to the mustang platform. The 4.6L engine was altered to 320 horsepower. The 1999 Cobra received a new independent rear suspension. Another new 5-spoke 17-inch was introduced. Out was yellow and blue paint, but in was a green paint.

1999 Coupe

1999 Convertible

2000 there were no SVT Cobras, only the SVT Cobra R. But as previously stated there were limited numbers produced and only came in Performance Red.

2000 Cobra R

In 2001 the SVT Cobra basically had no changes over the 99 model. It came with a 325 HP, 281 cubic inch, 4.6 L, electronic fuel injected, double overhead cam, V8 Engine. It had 8 colors to choose from, sport seats, power equipment group, rear spoiler, polished wheels, and Cobra letters embossed into the rear bumper.

2001 Coupe

2001 Convertible

In 2002 the United States didn’t have the chance to experience the SVT Cobra. Only 100 units were produced all of which were shipped to Australia. Its features included 320hp, 281 cubic inch, 4.6 liter, electronic fuel injected, double overhead cam, V8. Just like 2001 the 2002 Cobra came in 8 of the standard 2001 Mustang colors, sport seats, power equipment group, rear spoiler, polished wheels, and Cobra letters embossed on the rear bumper. Since they all went to Australia the tweaks included fender reflectors, extra driving lights in the front bumper, and right-hand-drive.

2002 Coupe

2002 Convertible

2003 brought on a whole new beast. The 2003 Cobra was so different, and the Special Vehicle Team knew it was something special they nicknamed it the “Terminator.” (Yes on purpose) They said that it “Terminates any and all competition between the Cobra and the General Motors Trans Am and Camaro models. So what’s so special about this year versus the other years you ask? Well I’ll explain that to you. The engine consists of a hand-built 4.6L, double overhead cams, Supercharged V8. This engine is a real beast, with 390 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque. Yep, we just said that! It was offered in both the convertible and coupe body styles.

2003 Coupe

2003 Convertible

Aside from the original Cobra, there was a 10^th year anniversary Cobra. In addition to what the original Cobra had to offer the 10^th Anniversary came with, carbon fiber patterned leather on the top of the steering wheel, carbon fiber leather on the shifter and hand brake, red window switch bezels, red seats inserts, red painted brake calipers all the way around, and big 17×9 inch 10th Anniversary wheels. Offered in both coupes and convertibles the exterior colors were limited to Torch Red, Silver, and Black. Fun fact for the 10^th anniversary, There were 1,003 Coupes made and 1,000 convertibles made.

10th Anniversary Coupe

10th Anniversary Convertible

2004 the Cobra cam in a coupe and convertible. It included 390 horsepower 4.6L double overhead cams, Supercharged V8 engine, inverted dual hood scoops, a unique front bumper, lowered spoiler, 6-speed manual transmission, and unique 17-inch chrome aluminum wheels. The Mystic chrome paint was also available on the 2004 Cobra model only. Fun Fact, it was only offered in the Manual transmission.

2004 Coupe

2004 Convertible

 

My thoughts (as a woman) on “The very best mistress your man could ever have”!

He entered our offices, eyes glowing and misty and gave us a long and heartfelt description of the love of his life.  He extolled her many virtues and seemingly numberless fine qualities and told us about all the many things he had done for her to make her even more beautiful, more dreamy, even more perfect….. and during this entire dialogue unfolded his beautiful wife was standing beside him rolling her eyes and tossing little pointed verbal daggers in his direction (or at us) whenever she could sneak a word or two in.  This man has what I like to call a harmless obsession with his “metal mistress”.  A metal mistress is usually a sportscar that he feels defines who he really is, or perhaps the car defines who he would like to be perceived as by the world.  His spouse obviously views his attentions toward the metal mistress (and the subsequent money funneled in her direction) as a direct threat to her exalted position in the hierarchy of the relationship, and quite honestly, she could not be any more wrong!  Ladies, let me tell you from direct experience, you want your man to have a metal mistress, yes, you absolutely do, and let me tell you why.  Men need a diversion, they crave a diversion, they absolutely must have a diversion to talk about with when they hang out with other men.  IMHO, there is no better diversion for your man, none more harmless, none more safe.  Think about it!  If all his spare change is directed towards buying expensive new wheels and tires for “her” then he will have zero dollars to spend buying expensive shoes for a flesh and blood woman… and any self serving ho-bag out to snag your man is going to want him to buy her some new shoes, in return for her special attentions.  So the more he loves that car, girlfriend, the better off and the safer you are!  Back to the couple in our office, he follows the parts specialist out to the warehouse with a gleeful expression on his face, very like a willing lamb being led to slaughter, and the pretty little wife drops to the sofa, adopts a defeated stance, and says to me, “Can you believe that man?”  I smirk at her and share my theory of her man and his metal mistress.  I tell her that if her man is always out in the garage, then at least she knows where he is at all times, and it is a bonus that he is not at the bowling alley with his buddies flirting with some little hooker.  She immediately perks up and adopts the look of the proverbial cat that ate the canary, “hmmm, girl, you just might be right” – then she crowed triumphantly “haha I never thought of that” I asked her if she had named his mistress yet?  She looked at me with some shock, I told her it was absolutely her right to give the metal mistress a right good trollop name, of her choosing and to tell her husband that she had personally chosen a new name for his beloved car.  My phone rang, cutting our conversation short. He re-entered the office, and paid for the new trinket for his ride.  The wife then purposefully stalked towards her husband, snatched his keys, winked at me and announced “Bae, I am going to be driving Ms. Jolene home today”, he looked confusedly at her, mumbled “what, who is Jolene?” Then realized almost too late that he was hearing his exhaust rumble as she revved the mighty engine to life, he glanced back at us like he was being electrocuted and bolted for the parking lot!  And ladies, that is how it is done… it is up to you to make his metal mistress your new best friend!