January 2004

Ford debuts the 2005 Mustang at the Detroit auto show
Well, the long awaited and much anticipated debut of the first all new mustang in over 25 years has come and gone. Opinions of the new car seem to be split with some people loving it and others screaming how Ford totally screwed it up.

We absolutely love it!

Most of the complaints seem to be coming from the fact that the production version is not exactly like the concept vehicle. Anytime a concept car is slated for production certain concessions need to be made. Some for the better (interior) and some for the worse (those funky driving lights). Just check out the concept for the 64 1/2 mustang and I think we can all agree it's a good thing the final version did not look like that. Wait till the aftermarket has a chance with this car. If the looks are not exactly what you are looking for I am sure there will be a kazillion different body parts available for any look you desire.

Let's look at what really matters, what's under the hood and body. This is the first all new Mustang in over 25 years and the first to be designed from the ground up as a Mustang, unlike previous versions based on the Falcon, Pinto, Fairmont, etc.

Front suspension: Instead of modified MacPherson struts we now get full blown MacPherson struts. Guess we won't need to invest in coil over kits anymore.
Rear suspension: 3-Link with panhard bar. No more wheel hop on launch.
Brakes: 12.4 inch ventilated on the front with twin piston calipers. 11.4 inch on the rear for the GT's.
Engine: 4.6L 3-valve putting out 300 horsepower and 315 ft. lbs of torque.

We are just not sure how any Mustang enthusiast can't love this car. But to each his (or her) own. Check the following link for tons of information:
maximum-cars.com

Shelby Cobra concept debuts at the Detroit auto show

If the new Mustang doesn't do it for you maybe this will. Ford got together again with Carrol Shelby to produce this one off Cobra concept. It weighs only 3000 pounds even after being stuffed with a 605 Horse all-aluminum V-10.

This is not a warmed over V-10 Triton engine either. It is loosely based on the 4.6L DOHC engine as compared to the Triton V-10 that is based on the longer stroke 5.4L block. The engine is bored and stroked for a displacement of 6.4L (the Triton engines are 6.8L and available in SOHC versions only). How did they do it? They took casting cores from the DOHC line and combined them together to create the added 2 cylinders, then produced the necessary tooling from the modified cores. Pretty slick.

The chassis is based on the GT 40 all-aluminum space frame chassis. it uses the same suspension and brakes. Ford claims the car has a near 50/50 weight distribution.

Are they going to build it? Who knows. Ford says it may be the next step but, Carrol Shelby said after his last car, that was going to be it and he would retire. Maybe this will be enough to make him reconsider.