Mustang 2005: A New Breed of Pony Car
  This book chronicles the development and evolution of the 2005 Ford Mustang, from the drawing board to production line.
How do you reinvent an icon? While the Mustang underwent numerous transformations over the past four decades, the basic architecture underpinning the 2004 model dated back to 1979's Fox platform.
Ford knew it was time for a change, but in which direction? Should the Mustang continue to evolve, making a great leap forward in design? Should the car be a faithful reissue of the original, much like the Ford GT echoes the original GT40? The Mustang has seared itself into the country's collective consciousness. While many iterations of the Mustang have existed over the years, with all sorts of engines under the hood—inline fours and sixes, V-6s, turbo fours, V-8s and supercharged V-8s—the public has a pretty good idea of what a Mustang is and isn't.
So then, it was perfectly understandable that Ford, in looking to sustain America's love affair with the Mustang, went back to its stylistic roots—a long hood, short rear deck. Not only is the profile familiar to all who sketched Mustangs on their high school notebooks, but so is the detailing, from the grille-mounted fog lamps to the three-bar taillights.
"By melding the true character of Mustang into these fully modern offerings, we've endured that even the uninitiated will instantly recognize these cars as Mustangs," says J Mays, Ford group vice president of design. "We went beyond their exterior designs to truly understand the extent to which Mustang has embedded itself in American culture."
Table of Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
- A Legend Reborn
The Philosophy Behind the New Pony Car.
- Lessons Learned
Understanding the Fox Platform and the Identity of the Mustang.
- Familiar By Design
Developing the Mustang's Retro Look.
- Ponies For The Pony
Improving the Mustang's Drivetrain.
- Agility Rules
Making the Best Handling Mustang Ever.
- Behind The Wheel
Experiencing the Mustang From the Driver's Seat.
- The SVT Connection
Past and Future SVT Cobras.
- The Past As Prelude
What the Future has in Store.
This book makes and excellent gift for the Ford Mustang aficionado, collector or restorer.
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