The styling for the next-generation Ford Mustang which is due in 2014 is “being locked down” according to Ford’s design cheif J Mays.  The new redesigned 2014/2015 Mustang is one of the most heavily anticipated designs in recent years with input coming from several of Ford’s design studios around the World.  The new design coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang and up until this point it has not been made clear what Ford’s plan will be with the vehicle.

During an interview at the Frankfurt Motor Show J Mays was asked if the design will be another variation of the retro 2005 and 2010 design, he says no way, the next generation Mustang will follow a different road.

J Mays went on to say “The challenge or the opportunity for 2014 with a 50th anniversary car is to not just look back over your shoulder, but to try to win all of the Mustang faithful yet bring the brand forward as well,” he says.

“It has to look like a Mustang. But you go down a list of things that might or might not be necessary to make the car look like a Mustang.”

Basically what J Mays is saying is the 2014/2015 Mustang will be unlike any Mustang we have ever seen before.

Source: Rick Kranz @ AutoNews

CFC Ford Mustang Changes Pictures

It’s a German developer – the Design-World – that has the idea to modify the Ford Mustang CFC to change the car completely. For a starter, the machine is now using the V8 5.0 liter engine producing 412 hp. The engine is installed along with air box and air filter, allowing the car to reach about 435 hp. As if it weren’t enough, the Design-World is also deciding to have H&R suspension so that the car will look tougher, more meaning, and also more aggressive. The installation of the new suspension also allows the driver to control and maneuver the car more easily.

CFC Ford Mustang Photo

The CFC Ford Mustang price hasn’t yet been released, but people can expect that there will be price change, especially with carbon fiber materials and finishing paint of metallic orange and black. The interior side is receiving changes as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Ford Boss Mustangs

Then it was time to push in the clutch and floor the accelerator.

The 444–horsepower 5-liter V-8 dutifully rose to 4,200 r.p.m, and I sidestepped the clutch. With just a blip of tire squeal, the Mustang dug in and launched hard, its engine racing toward the 7,500-r.p.m. red line. Playing the moment for all it was worth, I stabbed the clutch and wrenched the short-throw shifter back into second gear. The tires squealed in protest, and the end of the tarmac raced up to meet me. I lifted, stomped the brake pedal and brought my brief adventure to a quick conclusion.

The options-sheet checkbox that puts near-perfect dragstrip-style getaways like this within reach of klutzes like me is the TracKey package, available for $302 above the $41,105 base price of a Boss 302. It is a dealer-installed option.

TracKey is, surprise surprise, enabled with a key. A red Boss 302 logo distinguishes it from the standard Mustang key, and when inserted into the car’s ignition lock, it activates powertrain control-module software that adjusts over 600 engine management parameters, including camshaft timing, fuel control and spark mapping. Drivability features intended to temper the Boss 302 for city streets are deactivated. The happy result is a track-worthy calibration that delivers increased low-end torque, a higher level of engine braking, hopped-up throttle response and that wickedly addicting launch-control feature.

“TracKey was a great cross-functional effort at Ford, a true skunkworks project,” Mr. Seaman told me later in a telephone interview.

While the Boss 302 was conceived more as a road racer than a drag-race car, the launch-control function behaves much like the two-stage launch systems found in competitive drag racing. Yet it should also serve the road-racing set well, particularly in Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned events that include a standing start.

The launch-control r.p.m. adjustment makes it possible to select engine speed for racing starts in increments of 100 r.p.m. from 2,000 to 5,000 r.p.m. When the throttle is floored, the powertrain control module regulates spark and fuel to restrict r.p.m. to the preselected figure. When the clutch is released, a switch tells the control module to return to the standard 7,500-r.p.m. rev limit.

Boss customers will most likely conclude that the resulting four or five seconds of Mittyesque pleasure handily justifies the $302 tar

The magazine claims that the new car will feature an independent rear suspension, believed to be based on the cheap and lightweight Control Blade suspension Ford developed for the hind ends of its modern front-drive cars. It will likely be similar to that of the Australian Ford Falcon.

As for the technical part, the new car might be offered with an EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder. The 3.7-liter V-6 and 5.0-liter V-8s would probably stay right where they are, though MT claims that a direct injection for the 5.0 might be in the works.

“Goodbye Malibu! Hello Mustang, until I get my pink Cadillac, that’s my biggest and greatest goal.” said Anny Orrostieta of Tyler. Orrostieta is an independent sales director.

The pink Cadillac will remain the top tier vehicle loaned to sales directors and national sales director who sell at least $100,000 in cosmetics in a year. The Mustang will be used by directors who sell less, but corporate executives wouldn’t be specific about the requirements.

The company unveiled the new incentive car at its annual seminar at the Dallas Convention Center. Mary Kay Cosmetics holds five back-to-back conferences every year and they generate an estimated $71 million for the local economy.

“SR-71? refers to the car’s design and performance-inspired connection with the SR-71 Blackbird, the aircraft that holds all official airspeed and altitude records. “SR” Alo represents the first collaborative project between Shelby and Roush.

The vehicle is  #1 of 1 and is based on a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 with the glass roof option. Ford Racing performance modifications [Supercharger, Handling Pack, tuned exhaust, and exhaust tips] generate 100 additional horsepower from the all-aluminum 5.0L 32-valve V8 engine. The special racing Handling Pack optimizes the performance experience and lowers the ride height by 1-inch.

The Mustang’s design theme includes black and gray matte exterior paint with harmonious SR-71 themed graphic treatment, performance wheels, front and rear fascias and an integrated spoiler/wing to reflect the car’s connection with its namesake aircraft, which made its inaugural flight in 1964, the year the first Ford Mustang came off the line. The “Blackbird” nickname is reflected in the car’s exterior paint treatment, complete with markings from the liquids which leaked and streaked until the plane came up to speed. A unique screen print glass roof design and exterior artwork reflect the unbridled spirit of the Ford Design team.
The interior cockpit will seat only two and includes a roll-cage, racing seats and fire extinguisher, The signatures of Jack Roush and Carroll Shelby are embroidered into the seats, and special gauges and instrument cluster graphics have been added.
Blackbird was sold for $375,000 in EAA Charity auction.

Automotive industry sources have revealed that dealers are warned to prepare for 2014 Mustang come. It will be the most European friendly pony, but will keep itself mean and powerful. Ford is going to keep it the same car, same platform, etc all over the world in order to cut costs.
An insider revealed that designers in Europe and Australia are already working on Mustang which will feature smaller body – that’ll get it closer to the original 1964 Mustang size. Despite chasing the sixties 2014 model year will be the most advanced too: lighter, more economical, with independent rear suspension which will guarantee better traction and ride comfort.

They say the 2014 Mustang power will come from all-new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost turbo [±300 HP]. Top of the range engine: 5.4 liter V8 [500HP]. Interior details must be reviewed – europeans are thirsty for good quality materials.

Over on FordRacing110.com, a site dedicated to the 110 year anniversary of Ford Racing they asked visitors to the site “What is the hottest Mustang Race Car of All-Time”?.  Fans unanimously selected the Boss 302 Mustang as the hottest Mustang of all-time outdueling the Shelby GT350 which got 21% of the vote.  Not far behind the GT350 was the Cobra Jet with 16% and the John Force Mustang received 13% of the vote.  Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s Mustang came in with a poultry 2% of the vote.  Check out the complete poll results after the jump and let me know if they got it right.

Poll Results: “What is the Hottest Ford Mustang of All-Time”

Boss 302 – 32%

Shelby GT350 – 21%

Cobra Jet – 16%

John Force Mustang – 13%

Tommy Kendall Trans-Am Mustang – 9%

FR500 – 4%

NASCAR Mustang – 3%

Vaughn Gittin Jr’s. Drifting Mustang – 2%

Source: [Ford Racing]

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get” is a famous quote from the movie Forrest Gump as his mother tries to explain life to little Forest.  Well this quote can apply to eBay auctions as well because you never know what people are gonna list and my latest find is a testament to that.  While browsing Mustang auctions on eBay I came across a 1968 Ford Mustang 4X4 Convertible similar to a vehicle in a previous post about an S197 4X4 Mustang.  This Mustang was mated to a 1967 Ford Bronco sometime back in the early 80’s as a Summer project in Alaska .  The motor and chassis come courtesy of the Bronco but the body is all Ford Mustang.  The 4X4 Mustang runs and drives and has a permanent convertible as the top is nonexistent.

The auction has a starting price of $2,500 but no bids have been received so the good news is the first bid is likely a winner.  Check out the eBay auction here.