What The Future Holds For Hot Rods

Eventually, all the muscle cars from the 20th century will return to the Earth in various altered physical states. The sport obviously can’t continue forever in current form.



But a great assurance of its future is the imminent resurgence in modern-day successors to the cars that hot-rodders worship so dearly. The new movement started in 2005 with the first new Ford Mustang since the late 70s. All the basics were there – rear-wheel-drive, V8, classic looks, cheap sticker – and it fit the profile of being designed and built in America. Even better, the Mustang’s V8 is now a modern piece that will pass all emissions standards in the foreseeable future and finds application in many cars and trucks within the lineup, satisfying that essential Hot Rod need of “cheap parts.” Better yet, this 1990s-conceived engine is now developing a history and lineage (dare I say legend) of its own. Lastly, the Mustang is selling well. Ford fans, at least, can relax.



Moparheads have the next-best news. While they have nothing as cheap, focused, or American as the Mustang, their triplets of Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger form a close second. Those will soon become quadruplets if the Dodge Challenger coupe (the most historically faithful) becomes a reality later this decade, probably sporting the two Hemi V8s (the 5.7-liter and the 6.1-liter) found in existing models. Like Ford’s V8, the current-day Hemi is in great demand.



Followers of the General will probably get something of their own. The Chevy Camaro concept has sparked just as much serious interest as the Challenger, meaning enough to warrant production. It too will hold the Corvette’s LS7 V8 good for 400 horsepower, prompting another few decades of Mustang-vs-Camaro wars. And while there won’t be another Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac is supposed to get a replacement for the GTO, as much as the current one fizzled.



The funny thing is that these cars will have so much muscle straight from the factory that it’s boggles the mind thinking of ways to get any more speed out of them, especially on the cheap. But that’s a challenge any true hot rodder would happily take on.

The Vintage Mercury Lincoln Cougar A Nascar Legend

Many have thought of the Mercury Cougar a simply nothing more than a luxo-bloated version of a Ford Thunderbird. It may well surprise many Ford, Mercury as well as Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar enthusiasts that 35 years ago that the Cougar “Pony” Car was kicking butt on the Trans-Am circuit.



In its origins, the Cougar was an idea that Lincoln-Mercury had been tossing around, for some time, with the idea of a smaller sporty car. As early as February 1963 this idea of a smaller as well as sporty Lincoln-Mercury vehicle, to be introduced to the North American market, came to emerge within the corporate head office, marketing and design staff.



The success of the Ford Mustang was all that was needed to put the wheels in motion. Indeed the famous marketing reference in regards to the product market popularity and sales of the Ford Mustang ‘Pony” Car was a sign in a donut shop that “Or donuts sell as fast as Mustangs”. Nothing drives the automobile industry more than the potential and promise of fast car sales figures. It is noteworthy that even the name of the vehicle product “Cougar” can be said to be family line generated. After the name Cougar is not only six letters but is another member of a line of fast creatures. Both the names of Mustang and Cougar evoke an image of sleekness and fast speed as well as agility.



Built on a 111 inch wheelbase, the Cougar was three inches and half inches shorter than its cousin – the Thunderbird. Underneath the elegant sheetmetal of the Cougar was a Mustang, so to speak. In actuality the Cougar shared with its cousins – the sporty Mustang, and the more dour family vehicle – the Ford Falcon (which was also known in the Canadian market as the Ford Frontenac product. The Ford Mustang had the greatest fortune of being born from the Ford Falcon product line. Mustang enthusiasts owe a great debt of gratitude to a so called compact “Family” car. The Ford Falcon allowed both the Mustang car project as well as the Cougar car product a quick to develop, cheap to produce as well as a proven and durable base platform. Even the dash of the early Mustangs was a direct copy of the Falcons.



Underneath all of the glitter of its elegant sheet metal the Cougar car was all Mustang, using the exact same Falcon front suspension and a solid rear axle with four-leaf springs. A base 289 cubic inch V-8 made 200 bhp (gross), but the real action came in the guise of a 390 cubic inch V-8 that made 320 bhp. A GT option included a performance handling package and power disc brakes that replaced more standard front brake drums. Finally special GT wheels rounded out the package.



It has been said that Lincoln Mercury’s chief designer had envisioned the Cougar as an elegant European sports car, along the lines of the Jaguar Mark 2. How was it that the Cougar went racing?



In 1967 Lincoln Mercury turned to Bud Moore to be the point man for a shot at the SCCA Trans-Am Championship. Team Cougar made up of drivers, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Formula 1 driver Peter Revson and NASCAR driver Dave Pearson came in second in Ford Mustang’s team. In 1968 then under the aegis of Moore, driver DeWayne “Tiny” Lund went on to capture the NASCAR Grand Touring Championship.



So where and how did the Cougar go wrong. It seemed that Lincoln-Mercury was never quite sure on how to market the Cougar. This lack of market focus, as well as not knowing and perceiving the needs and desires of the potential Cougar customer market proved to be the Cougar’s undoing. By the 1969 product introduction the Cougar was a little longer and a little wider. From then on it was only a short decent into landau roofs as well as the opera window type styling and options of the day. Once started this downward trend and spiral of the Cougar was inevitable. The halcyon years of the early Cougar – specifically the early Cougar model years of 1967 – 70 remain a time when the Cougar’s roar boomed out of dual exhausts and the sign of a car that had some bite to it.

The Story Of The Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is one of the best known and easily recognized vehicles on the road today. Who doesn’t recognize the sporty chrome pony emblazoned on the shiny paint of a Ford Mustang?



But I bet many of you don’t know the history of the Mustang. Well jump in your time capsule and join me for a ride back to the year 1964. To be more specific, March 9, 1964.



That was the day that the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line – it was a white convertible with a red interior. It created a sensation all across the nation. As a matter of fact, within 18 months, Ford sold over 1 million Mustangs!



Just months after its introduction, Ford began introducing changes for the ’65 Mustang, including a bigger engine, reverse lights, and an AC alternator.



In the first two years of its existence, the Mustang broke sales records, wowed the public, and left competitors in the dust.



The next job for the Mustang was to take down the Chevrolet Corvette in the world of racing. That job was tackled by Carroll Shelby, the famous race car driver and designer. The result was the famous GT / Cobra series of cars.



In 1967, Ford introduced a newly redesigned Mustang, with a 335 HP engine, and other improvements, allowing it to continue it’s massive popularity.



Ford continued to make improvements and adjustments to the Mustang, and it remained highly popular, even when rising gas prices, rising insurance costs, emissions standards, etc caused muscle cars some hard times in the early 70′s. Several of the Mustangs competitors, such as the Barracuda, went out of production, but the Ford Mustang continued to sell.



The Ford Mustang almost died in the late 80′s, though, due to slumping sales. But Mustang fans started writing Ford letters, and Ford decided to give the Mustang a redesign and another try. Sales went back up, and the Mustang continues to be a popular car to this day.

The Death Of The Muscle Car My First Case

It happened back in the 70's, but the evidence was still there. It was the case of the disappearing horsepower and this is what happened.



In the era of the muscle car power was everything. It didn’t matter what it was, sports car, family car, pickup; it had the biggest V-8 possible stuffed under the hood. Cubic inches were king and advertised power was astronomical. These cars could kick sand in the windscreens of anything else on the road.



But then horsepower seemed to disappear overnight!



Take my favourite muscle car, the Ford Mustang. The macho models had V-8s, though meeker models came with an inline six. The biggest six had 200 cubic inches and 155 hp in 1969/70.



What did the V-8s punch out? The most powerful 351 gave 300 hp in 1970 and the 427 gave a massive 390 hp in 1968. But by 1973 the most powerful Mustang had a 351 V-8 with just 156 hp. Almost half what it had in 1970, and only one horsepower more than the 200 cu in six of 1970! As for the Mustang II of 1974, we won’t even go there.



The story was similar with the other manufacturers. What was going on? It just didn’t add up. Could I trust the figures?



My detective mentor, Agatha Christie, taught me that when you’re solving a case you can’t trust anyone. Murderers do lie. In this case it wasn’t murder though it was the death of the muscle car, and it wasn’t so much of an outright lie as not telling the whole truth. And outside forces were at play.



I had to dig deeper. I had to find the facts. Why would horsepower virtually halve?



It turned out there were a few reasons. Salesmanship was one. Horsepower was everything so why not measure it in a salesman friendly way? Gross SAE horsepower was used. Power was measured at the flywheel with no power-hungry accessories attached. Only the bare essentials were used.



In 1972 SAE Net measurements were phased in. Power was still measured at the flywheel but all the accessories were installed including the full exhaust system, emission controls, all pumps and the alternator. SAE Net can’t be compared exactly to SAE Gross because there are just too many variations in measuring, but it is down around 80%. So power ratings dropped. In 1973 horsepower ratings went down again as power sapping emission controls were tightened.



Gross SAE horsepower had pushed the listed power up. So did the advertised horsepower some car companies used. What’s wrong with a little rounding up of the numbers for the brochure? Surely that would help sales too.



All this horsepower galloping around got noticed and not just by young guys.



Safety legislators noticed, and so did insurance companies who started charging more for insurance. The word on the street is that in 1967 a young guy under 25 with a clean driving record would have paid $700 a year for GTO coverage. Ouch! Some car companies lowered their advertised horsepower ratings.



Muscles peaked in 1970, and by 1971 they were starting to get flabbier. Engines were being detuned and within another year bigger engines were being dropped.



In 1973 many muscle cars were a shadow of their former selves. And they were finished off by the oil crisis of late ’73. Long lines at gas stations and soaring prices were a real shock, and so was a 55 mph national speed limit. Gas guzzlers were irresponsible, expensive and unwanted, it didn’t matter how much fun they were.



So there you have it. I now knew what had happened to all that brute power. Some exaggeration had pushed listed horsepower up. A fairer, more accurate measuring system brought it down. Emission controls brought it down more, and soaring insurance costs made ground-thumping power too expensive to own. The oil crisis finished the muscle car off. This case was solved.

The Best Of American Muscle Cars

When you think of a car that is born tough, incredibly masculine and delivers high-performance, actually you are thinking of a muscle car. All these attributes and many such others are known to be a part of the classic muscle car, and those who own one can readily agree with all the above. Since a long time, the muscle cars are thought t be some of the classic examples of the era when American automobile production had reached its peak.



These classic American cars, with all their sensual aerodynamic design and remarkable suitability for events such as drag racing, have helped them to attain a fame that has earned it a place in the history. Moreover, these cars are regarded as one of the signature vehicle design movements of modern automobile history.



The design of the classic American muscle car is all about power and appearance blended together to produce a stunning vehicle. It is contrary to the conception that classic muscle car emphasized power over appearance. A look at the classic muscle car can stop you in your tracks and a drive will take you to a different world.



And this is why the American muscle cars developed a craze among car enthusiasts. Looking at the design elements of the muscle cars, you will find that these vehicles have bigger engines than conventional cars, and are in fact bigger than the average sports car, and are bounded by the toughness of the frame that other cars can only envy. A typical Muscle car is the one which is made in the years between 1964 to 1973.



Among the most popular models of the American muscle cars are the Dodge Charger, the Chevrolet El Camino, and the Plymouth Road Runner and the Ford Mustang. In addition to these cars the Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Torino, the Mercury Montego, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Firebird, and Tempest, Olds 442, American Javelin, Plymouth ‘Cuda, and Dodge Challenger and the Charger are some of the highly adored American Muscle cars. Presently, the only Mustang and Corvette have retained their designs whereas the Dodge Charger has restructured as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.



The American muscle cars won the record of topping the popularity charts just after their brief introduction to the market. The market penetrating factor was the popularity the racing trend among the youth, which was the only emerging segment in terms of spending power at that time.



Riding on the racing euphoria, the muscle car manufacturing companies began to design tougher cars that appealed to the sense of aesthetics that the youths had and combined it with technical and performance features that made them suited for street racing.



Meanwhile the implementation of the new designs and technical upgrades resulted in doubling the costs of the car, many companies eventually developed “budget muscle” models that compromised some of the performance and design aspects in favor of reducing costs. This was the right move as of now, both the classic muscle car and budget muscle car designs were accepted into the market and began to drive their way into the American youth’s mind.

Safety And Reliability Of Our Vehicle S Steering We Owe A Debt To Early Hot Rodders And Auto Racers

We owe a debt of gratitude to early “hot rodders”. Those who modified and raced cars in their day pushed along the development and evolution of cars and vehicle steering mechanisms so now we can count on precise, safe and reliable steering mechanisms and units without question.



It is always interesting that is usually not the factory design teams, with all their resources, that push along developments and modifications in the automotive industry. It is often the hobbyist, the guy in his home garage, who under competition leads to the development and progression of what becomes improvements and modifications in the automotive. At a later point the automotive industry will step in to mass produce the improvements into features and options that gain widespread use in our vehicles and on our highways.



Just before and after the 1940's vintage car periods most sport car enthusiasts and hot rodders were driving pre-1935 Fords. The most popular steering gears swapped among speed and hot rod enthusiasts was the pre-1934 Ford steering gear units. It had a very fast steering ratio and could easily fit the Model “A” and “32? car frames. Parts were readily available, the cars were lightweight and few rodders felt the need to look any further.



By the early 1950's, the 37' – 1948 Ford steering mechanisms with the transverse drag arrangement gained popularity and a following over the previous preferences. The steering was a near perfect built in for 1935-36 Ford frames and its major advantage over the older units was it was self centering. After a turn in completed, the worm sector “floats” back to center. However if the steering was mounted normally in a pre-1935 chassis , a mount had to be built on the inside of the frame rail and boxing the frame was necessary to eliminate rail flexing.. Naturally since the pitman arm swung horizontally (cross steering) and was tied into the right front spindle. 1940's era Ford spindles had to be used. But it was no big deal and the most “modern” rods of the era went this route, even to the extent of adding 1940 Ford steering wheels, shift linkage and dashboards.



The “Gemmer” box was also turned on its side and mounted through the frame like the original. Usually a horizontal plate was welded on top of the rail to hold the steering, and the pitman arm was rotated 90 degrees so that it could be pinned up. A parallel drag link could then be used with a dropped front axle. But the evil bump steer was ever present.



In the late Fifties, another steering box started to gain popularity with street rodders. This was the parallel drag line steering from the 1954 and later Ford and Chevy pickups. (The Ford F-100 being the most popular of all). To install the Ford box in a Model “T” frame it was easiest to run the column down thought the floorboard almost between the driver’s legs. Mounts for the gear box were fabricated and the pitman arm was modified to point straight down or was replaced with a new one flame cut out of half inch steel plate. Only minor modifications to the box itself were needed to bolt the pickup steering into the 1928-34 frames.



The Ford pickup box became the standard hot rod steering gear for many years to come, but the Chevy pickup steering was the easier of the two to install. It required only minor frame trimming to fit, but it never reached the level of popularity of the Ford box.



Then along came the time of the mid 60's Dearborn introduced the Ford Mustang. The steering box of the Mustang car was a great toy for the hot rodders.



This was the final step towards the evolution of steering gears.



All in all although our steering mechanisms in our cars, SUVs, trucks and other vehicle are now of more modern designs we owe a debt of gratitude to the hot rodders of their day for pushing along the evolution of precise and reliable steering gears and mechanisms for our vehicles.

Retro Mania Old Cars Rock

America’s thirst for cars of significance continues unabated. Long tired of copycat, cookie cutter, uninspiring models, consumers are demanding – and receiving – cars that are, quite frankly, retro. Yes, America’s automakers are reaching back in time to build a bunch of models based on popular models from yesteryear. Let’s take a look at the “Big 3? automakers and their current crop of retro cars as well as “future” models soon to be released.



Defined, retro cars are vehicles that take their styling cues from cars built a generation or two ago. No, these vehicles aren’t carbon copies of earlier models, rather each retro car borrows much of their look from earlier models.



Although American automakers dominate the retro market, the Volkswagen New Beetle was one of the first cars to reach back as it went forward. Based on the VW Golf platform, the circular shaped New Beetle hearkens back to the flower child era with its current rendition of the people’s car. Fortunately, VW had the presence of mind to include its famed “flower holder” in with the dash, to evoke memory of the earlier model.



Ford pushed the retro market forward with its introduction of the Thunderbird in 2002. Borrowing heavily from early sixties era TBirds, the car has had mixed success as Ford sold a very limited number of the model for a few years and then discontinued it after the 2005 model year, citing poor sales. In 2004, Ford introduced a retro version of the Mustang, based on the ’67 Mustang fastback. Unlike the TBird, the Mustang has been a huge success and Ford can barely keep up with production. No word if a retro Pinto is being planned by FoMoCo.



Chrysler got in the retro craze with its introduction of the 2000 PT Cruiser. Based on 1950s era panel vans, the PT Cruiser sits on the now defunct Neon platform, but sales have been strong for Chrysler. The Dodge Challenger, another Chrysler product, is the car many are waiting to see if and when it debuts as an ’09 model. Borrowing cues from the ’71 model is part of the fun of this car: a hemi engine coupled with a fantastic interior will certainly help move sales. For the record, the current Dodge Charger isn’t retro – it has four doors – but I am mentioning it because it is one cool car!



Chevrolet went retro with the SSR, a “truck” based on 1950s era pick ups. Word has it that the slow selling SSR – hey, $42K for THAT thing – is on its last legs. Fortunately, the HHR [Heritage High Roof] will keep Chevy in the retro business as this new for 2006 model takes its styling cues from the ’49 Suburban. Some would say the PT Cruiser!



Are we likely to see more retro cars in the future? Maybe, but probably not a Caddy replete with fins or a Chevy Vega. America’s love with old models is strong, but selective, and the automakers must be certain that consumers really want a particular retro car before putting it into production. Oh, by the way, the ’09 Chevy Camaro concept is one hot looking car!

Orgs And Services For Vintage Buick And Chevrolet Enthusiasts

Buick and Chevrolet, two of the world’s most famous automobile brands, have a huge following worldwide not only for their modern, sleek models but also for their vintage collectible models. As a matter of fact, there are clubs and organizations formed solely for passionate collectors of noteworthy authentic Chevrolet and Buick models with historical value. Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, with chapters in states like Portland and Washington, publishes its own magazine called Generator and Distributor with articles on how to care for vintage models, specifically automobiles manufactured in early 1900s up to the 1980s. VCCA members have the privilege to contribute personal stories and tips regarding Chevys. Another great thing about being a member of organizations such as VCCA is that one has the opportunity to keep in touch with other vintage car fanatics around the country as well. If a person is a self-proclaimed Buick and Chevrolet fanatic but he doesn’t own even one model, he can still join VCCA because the organization doesn’t limit itself to automobile owners.



On the other hand, Buick vintage collectors can join Buick Club of America which constantly organizes car shows and tours. BCA members can gain access to their informative forums discussing the specifics of pre-war and post-war models as well as useful tips for preserving and polishing earlier models. Buick and Chevrolet models manufactured before the World War II, mostly made of nickel and brass, naturally require meticulous care to keep up with the modern times. In fact, BCA has a sub-organization to specifically deal with restoring and caring for pre-war Buicks. A member of pre-war Buick division posted a message in the discussion forum saying earlier models of Buick, which are much slower than modern models, should be improved in order to participate in BCA tours.



Just how exactly can earlier Buick and Chevrolet models be upgraded? Well, car enthusiasts can turn to companies offering automobile restoration. For instance, 10th Street Auto Body Specialties boasts of doing an incredible job of re-working ’34 Chevy, ’35 Ford Woodie Hot Rod, ’63 Nova SS Convertible and ’56 Chevy Hot Rod Truck. One can visit their website for step-by-step guide on how they transform these old models. Demopolis Paint and Body Shop, on the other hand, entertain antique car restorations. Their finished products include 1966 Ford Mustang and 1988 Cavalier. Likewise, Ace Auto Restorations supply antique car collectors with high-quality car parts, from chrome plating to upholstery. With so many choices available, vintage Buick and Chevrolet enthusiasts should no longer have a hard time improving the interiors and exteriors of their antique automobiles.

New Mustang unveiled on world’s tallest building in Dubai TRENDS

In an historic visit to the Middle East, Bill Ford spoke about the future of mobility in an ideal location: the modern, fast-growing city of Dubai. The event was co-hosted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Ford MEA (Middle East and Africa), the Morning event that been held at Armni Hotel, Burj Khalifa in Dubai.



“Today we planted the Ford flag in the Middle East & Africa, an exciting, vibrant region that represents the final frontier for growth in the auto industry,” Bill Ford said.



Ford capped the live-action event by delivering the iconic pony badge to the 2015 yellow Mustang on the 112th floor of the skyscraper. The event were viewed live around the world on YouTube as well as by approximately 10,000 people gathered in the Dubai Downtown area, overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.



“Given how much I like cars, it may surprise you that I believe the auto industry needs to rethink its approach. The issue: ‘global gridlock’ fueled by worldwide population growth and increased prosperity,” he added.



“Today there are about one billion vehicles on the road worldwide. But with more people and greater global prosperity, that number is expected to double, and possibly double again, by 2050.”



He discussed how congestion is impacting high-growth cities, noting, Dubai’s road network has grown by 50 percent in the past eight years. “But you can’t pave your way out of the problem,” he added.



The potential impact of global gridlock, he noted, could be considerable – from economic prosperity and growth to how people access food and healthcare.



And while the situation is of great concern, Ford was quick to focus on solutions and highlight progress being made in a number of areas. In particular, he focused on the increasingly powerful onboard vehicle intelligence and wireless connectivity as significant developments. “When you link the vehicle to the world around it, you begin to attack global gridlock.”



And while global gridlock poses a significant challenge, Ford said that the auto industry could not stop there. “What if we could move from solving problems created by vehicles, to vehicles solving longstanding societal issues?”



He then shared a number of examples that Ford Motor Company is working on where new automotive technologies are enabling vehicles to play a role in solving non-mobility challenges.



For example: a Ford project in India that uses onboard connectivity to help aid workers provide medical care to expecting mothers in rural communities – by using the vehicle to collect and transmit medical data to a city-based doctor. As a result, the company has helped provide healthcare to more than 1,600 women and children; helped set up 27 health’s camps; and reached another 54 villages to facilitate maternal and child health awareness.



Ford also discussed how autonomous driving could help extend the “driving life” of the elderly – an issue of growing importance in developed countries with aging populations – and how it could improve their quality of life, and reduce some of the dependency on caregivers.



Ford remarked that, “As technology quickly evolves, we must push ourselves to look for new opportunities to solve bigger issues.



This is the next challenge before us. We must find ways that mobility can improve the human condition.” Finally, he noted that this challenge was a return to his roots, to a time when the car played a can-do, almost “heroic” role in our lives. “Once, the automobile represented possibility. I think we are there again.”

Modding A Ford Mustang V6

So you just got a stock V6 Mustang and you want to make it faster. Well there are a few things you will or should know before you concider this. As im sure a few older gents on here would back me up on this post so here we go.



1. What are your long term goals for this new car?



2. What is your current budget to spend on this car?



3. Do you want to make it a daily driver? Trailer queen? or road course?



4. What is you basic knowledge of vehicles and electrical systems?



5. Do you have the time?



Alot of people want the fastest car, the best looking car or the loudest car. That is becuase everyone who owns a mustang gets the itch. And im not talking about down there, im talking about the power itch, the speed itch, the ability to take that corner at 55 and come out running.



With most major bolt on mods, you can do them yourself with some specialty tools and a good set of hand tools. Some require welding, which most places can do for a flat rate of “X” amount of dollars where “X” is the hourly shop rate.



Now were going to get into the specific mods.



CAI- Cold Air intake.



There are many different type of CAI availible on the market. The fenderwell CAI places the air filter in the fenderwell to get cool air as it rushes under the passenger headlight. This is an excellent first mod, becuase all you need are some hand tools and the intructions.



Plastic vs. Metal



These are the two types of materials CAI come in. Some people like the metal chrome brushed ones becuase it adds a nice look under the hood. Unfortunately Metal heats up from outside sources(ie., engine bay) and internal friction of the air passing through it. Plastic on the other hand stays cool becuase it is not a conductor of heat. the engine bay heat or air friction will not cuase this intake to heat up.



Mass Air Sensor and Housing



This is the peice that is inside your stock air box, and is, in my opinion, one of the bottle necks on the intakes today. The Mass Air Sensor, or MAS, measures the amount of air comming into the engine and sends that information to the ECU, where the ECU does its thing and tell Mr. Fuel Injector’s how much fuel to dump in accordance to the Air Fuel mixture. Lets say you have a 3? (76.1mm) CAI and a stock MAS. Youll be pulling in alot of air fairly quickly @ Wide open Throttle, or WOT.



Lets do a in home test, if you have a cylindrical container about 6-12? long get it. If it is open on both ends, blow threw it, and what happened? The air came out the otherside with no problems, right? Now cover up 1/3rd of the other end and try again, little harder? Same concept on your intake. Still need convincing? Have you ever tried to vaccum up something to big for the vaccum? kinda struggled didnt it? exactly.



Throttle Body



This is one of those black sheep parts where bigger isnt better. 99+ Stock I think has a 65mm Throttle Body, or TB from now on. If your not turbo, supered or No2'ed this mod shouldn’t be in the future until after a Power Adder, or PA.



Headers



Well, once again this is another mod that doesn’t really do anything for your vehicle unless you have significant mods and are going for a PA in the future, otherwise, youll get some hourse of “Fun”



Exhaust



The second mod most people will do if not the first on their mustang. When concidering an exhaust you have to take into account that a V6 will never sound like a V8, its impossible unless you buy 2 more cylinders. The stock V6 exhaust comes out of each exhaust manifold and “Y”‘s into on right after the catalytic converters. When buying a kit, you can either look for one that is complete, meaning comes with the Y adapter and passenger side hangers for the muffler and tailpipe. Or you can piece together one for a few bucks cheaper and hope it all fits. My advice, dont go cheap, becuase you get what you pay for. Which brings me to backpressure. When your choosing your exhaust make sure you dont go over 2.5? or else youll lose backpressure. without backpressure the V6 will hate you and will not run right at all. You can go bigger then 2.5? if your Turboed or Supercharged, other then that I wouldnt recommend it.



Exhaust Tips



We can get this one from our axis the ricers. Exhaust tips dont add HP they add noise, it is more of a placebo effect when you add 3.5? tips on your 2.5? exhaust, you think it is faster becuase the box says “adds upto 5 RWHP!!!” well it doesnt. But when you get in your car sounds louder then it did before, so you think its faster.







There are a few out there some are cheap and some are expensive. What to look for when buying a set is the harware they come with, instructions and a package deal. RPM-Outlet has 42% MotoBlue Underdrive Pulleys, or UDP from now on, for around $208 shipped. If you have a big stereo in your car, I would say 2000-5000Watts, you really want to be carefull of the UDP’s. They will slow your accessories a certain %, and could affect your cooling, charging and Air Condition. They wont affect everycar, but there is a possibility. Steeda and ARP have some 25% UDP which are a little more expensive and, well your paying for the name mostly. Installation is about a 1-2 hour job depending on your mechanical level. Hint: A pulley Puller helps installation.

Ford Vs Chevy The Debate Goes On

We have all seen then the bumper stickers that say I would rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy. For many people, it is the truth. There is a great deal of consumer loyalty when it comes to Ford and Chevy. In fact, there is even a Playstation 2 game called Ford vs. Chevy. It may have to do with owning a particular vehicle that excelled so they stayed with that manufacturer. Maybe their family owned Ford’s or Chevy’s and they went with what was familiar.



Ford and Chevy continue to be stiff competitors out there. Ford does seem to excel though in many areas. If you want speed the Ford Mustang will out do the Chevy Corvette hands down. Chevy is in the process of making a come back with the Chevy Camaro but fans of the Camaro aren’t taking to the new design very well.



Ford Pickups are available in a variety of sizes from small trucks to large work trucks. The Ford F-150 is their basic full size truck, but they have smaller models, such as the Ranger, and larger models like the F-850 for super heavy duty hauling. Chevy has several of them as well. The safety ratings for Ford are slightly better though when several of the same style of pickups were compared to each other.



Mini vans are very popular these days as they look sporty and they offer plenty of room. The Ford Windstar and the Chevy Venture both offer plenty of room. Yet the Ford Windstar is more stylish and offers more features.



Ford also has the Ford Escape, which Chevy does not really have a good answer to. The Escape has good mpg, at about 24, but it still has the power to tow 3,500 pounds with the towing package. It’s a great vehicle for anyone who does need the extra room and towing power larger SUVs offer, because the Escape is great on gas, easy and fun to drive, and affordable.

Ford Super Chips Are They Worth It

Your Ford Mustang is a true pony car. A coupe with class and no other car on the road is like it. Heck, GM abandoned the Camaro and Firebird while Mustang sales continue to surge. Could it be that Mustang owners know a good thing when they drive it? You bet! Still, maybe you have considered ways to ratchet up the performance. Even with a V8 installed, perhaps you could squeeze out more power from an already potent engine? If that is the case for you a superchip may be right. However, are they worth it? Let’s take a look at these little technological wonders and see if a super chip is what you really want.



So, exactly how does a superchip work? That’s easy! Every car comes with a computer chip – much like the one the central processing chip that powers your computer. Your stock chip helps to regulate a bunch of things including fuel flow to your engine, horsepower, torque, etc. Unfortunately, stock chips aren’t maximized for performance so the chip you get isn’t necessarily conducive to enhancing power.



Enter the Super Chip!



A Superchip or “Super Chip” puts the muscle into your chip. Either through completely replacing your current chip with a performance chip or sending out your chip to be modified, the end result is a tiny little device packed with more power. In actuality, the power isn’t in your Ford Super Chip, instead it is in the instructions that the chip contains.



The Super Chip is modified to help boost horsepower, increase torque, and raise fuel mileage. So how can fuel mileage improve…shouldn’t it actually drop with more power? Well, the short answer is no. Because a superchip works to fine tune your engine, a better tuned engine requires less fuel. Because a super chip manages to work so precisely it can deliver on all three areas – better horsepower, more torque, and improved fuel economy – without compromise. This means you get a more potent car that is also more fuel efficient.



So, back to the original question: are they worth it? Well, that is for you to decide. However, if keeping your current car is your goal then for a few hundred bucks a super chip is a smart idea. No need to trade your car in for a new, pricey model. Simply take your existing car and supercharge it.



When shopping for a super chip you must be aware that the chips are developed with your specific make/model of car in mind…all the way down to the type of engine underneath the hood. Some manufacturers of Ford super chips or other famous maker chips require you to take out your current chip and overnight it to the chip manufacturer, get it modified, and have it overnighted back to you. In this case your car would be out of commission for 2 or 3 days.



On the other hand, some manufacturers simply swap out your stock chip with a new one. That all depends on which chip model you select and the price you are willing to pay for your superchip.

Ford Restoring Prestige And Honor

The Ford Motor Company, along with rival General Motors, has been going through a time of severe testing due to concerns about product quality and relevancy, profits, and long term viability. The net result is that Ford is planning on closing numerous plants and will lay off as many as 30,000 employees, a historic cutback that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Is Ford finished or will the company be able to regain strength and compete successfully in the years ahead?



Ford has certainly taken its lumps and for good reason. Profits in the North American market are nonexistent with losses actually in the multibillion dollar range. Despite the red ink, all is not lost for the “blue oval” as the company remains very profitable overseas. In addition, its three U.S. divisions have much to offer if some serious changes are incorporated. Here are my suggestions for change:



Ford — The strongest division for the automaker is the one that bears its name. Ford’s strength is in its line of pick up trucks and SUVs. Select car models including the Mustang and Fusion are also strong sellers. Ford’s weakness can be found with its small car line, the Focus, and with dated models including the Crown Victoria. Better for Ford to scrap their small car lines altogether and import cars from Mexico or overseas. In addition, the company should concentrate on overhauling the Crown Victoria and introducing an all new Ranger compact pick up truck. Finally, Ford is getting out of the minivan business as crossover vehicles, such as the all new Edge, will replace that category. This latter retreat is wise as the category is saturated and the expense of developing a successful new minivan can be diverted to concentrate on shoring up other product lines.



Mercury — Many have been predicting that Ford would scrap its Mercury division altogether. However, among the many management decisions announced recently indicate that Mercury will stay. Together with Lincoln, the two brands are weak and are in need of much assistance. Mercury cars for decades have been nothing more than reworked Ford models therefore its brand identity has been diluted. It is time for Ford to help Mercury come up with a clearer “personality” and a line of vehicles that are inspiring, not boring. A good start would be to develop a car all Mercury’s own, such as a retro Cougar coupe.



Lincoln — There was a day when Lincoln and Cadillac battled for preeminence for sales leadership in the American luxury car category. Lincoln long ago ceded the fight to Cadillac, a GM division with new and exciting products. Currently, Cadillac outsells Lincoln by more than 2 to 1 and does battle with the likes of Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. For Lincoln, a new Town Car is needed plus a decision must be made regarding just how much the division should rely on trucks and SUVs to identify the brand. Currently, Lincoln line up includes more truck models than cars. Reviving a historic model, such as the Continental, could be a smart choice and putting some money into the LS is another. Curiously, the make is changing the name of its newest model, the Zephyr, to the MKZ after only one model year.



Ford is floundering and it is particularly noticeable in two divisions, Mercury and Lincoln. Its Mazda connection, which has yielded several models including the Escape and Fusion, has been a success. Tapping its Volvo association to help with larger cars and with engineering would be wise and Ford should work closer with its Jaguar division to produce additional vehicle lines. The current LS, derived from the Jaguar “S Type” is an example of an earlier collaboration that wasn’t utilized to its fullest extent.



All hope isn’t lost for Ford, but the company’s image has been tarnished. The seed of greatness remains, but the company must act quickly in order to regain consumer confidence and stop the ever deepening erosion of its sales base to foreign makes.

Ford Bronco More Than Just Oj Simpson S Speed Chase Vehicle

Starting from the year 1966 up until 1996, the Ford Bronco lived for a good three decades. This vehicle is actually a 4 x 4 sport utility vehicle. And it has had four distinct generations.



Originally, this vehicle was designed and crafted with being a strict competitor in mind. And come the time that it was introduced, it was then competitor to the Jeep CJ 5 as well as the International Harvester Scout. Come the late 1970s, the Ford Bronco then came to be a competitor for the Chevrolet K5 Blazer as well as the Dodge Ramcharger. Come the 1980s, this vehicle was accompanied by a much smaller Ford Bronco II. However, this small sibling only stayed in the market for just a couple of years. As for its last generation, the world knew the Ford Bronco as a large vehicle that was based on the newer Ford F series.



Why is the Ford Bronco so well known? Well let us just say that it was the very same vehicle model that the infamous OJ Simpson used when he traveled during his low speed chase with the police through the Los Angeles Area. It was also the very same white Ford Bronco that was a 1993 model used by Al Cowlings. Now that is the Ford Bronco in popular culture for you.



The person who gave the Ford Bronco life was Ford’s product manager Donald N. Frey. Frey was also the very same person who designed the Ford Mustang. After the design comes the production and it was Lee Iacocca who got this vehicle ready to roll of the manufacturing and assembly plants. A unique vehicle on its own, the Ford Bronco did not share any part with any other vehicle.



According to J. Mays, Ford Motor Company group’s vice president for design, “True to its heritage, the Bronco is a tough and genuine SUV that’s all about function. It’s like a claw hammer in a box full of department store, battery operated, plastic, power tools.”

Famous Ford Flops

American automakers sometimes take the brunt of the criticism for producing models that are ugly, useless, or even downright dangerous. Ford has had its share of beasts through the years in addition to several winners including the current Mustang for which demand cannot be met. For the fun of it let’s take a look at some of the Ford models that have been derided down through the years.



Model T – What?! How can the car that introduced mass production make the list? Well, the car was fine, but Mr. Henry Ford’s statement, “…you can have any color you want as long as it is black” has been attributed with the rise of General Motors [who gave its customers a choice in colors] which eventually dethroned Ford as the top automaker in the world. No, the Model T was fine, but Mr. Ford’s marketing strategy was not.



Edsel – In September 1957, Ford launched a new division – Edsel – and introduced to America one of the weirdest looking cars. Sporting a “horse-collar” shaped grille – some equated it with a toilet seat – the Edsel line was hyped by Ford and rejected by consumers wholeheartedly. Expecting to build 200,000 Edsels in its first year of production, only 63,000 were built. Other “radical” aspects of the Edsel included a “floating” speedometer that glowed upon reaching a particular speed and an awkward push button transmission with controls attached to the hub of the steering wheel. Even with a quick makeover completed in time for the next model year, the Edsel limped along only to be pulled one month after the third model year vehicles were released.



Pinto – Hey, even I owned one! With a 2.3L inline four cylinder paired with a 4 speed manny tranny, the Pinto was Ford’s answer during the 1970s to the onslaught of Japanese cars flooding the market. The compact rear wheel drive coupe, three door hatchback, or wagon sold fairly well until disaster hit: the revelation that the Pinto’s gas tank was capable of exploding during a rear impact scared buyers away. Mercifully pulled after the 1980 model year; replaced by the popular Escort.



Mustang II – Ford tarnished the Mustang name during the 1970s with this forgettable and ugly model. Resembling a bloated and stretched Pinto, the Mustang II was weak, poorly made, and a terrible competitor against its arch rival, the Camaro. All was forgiven by the early 1980s with the return of a newly designed Mustang. Today’s Mustang, on the other hand, is a sold-out success story as it took its styling cues from a Mustang of another era: the fastback cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s.



Before you point your finger at Ford, don’t forget to recall some truly forgettable models, foreign and domestic. The Toyota Van was panned for its ugly styling and for having an engine that had to be dropped from the engine bay in order to do a tune up; the Chevy Vega – a Pinto wannabe; AMC’s Pacer – the Jetson’s car; the Suzuki Samurai and Isuzu Rodeo – flip over specialists; the Yugo – a thinly redone 1960s era Fiat; and countless other cars not worth the mention. You hope that automakers learn from their mistakes, but don’t count on it. Maybe in another generation we will see a truly forgettable Ford show up, but for now there isn’t one in the line up…hooray for that!

Etching Automobile History With The Lincoln Mark Vii

The Lincoln Mark VII is a vehicle that is from the Ford Motor Company’s Lincoln division of luxury cars and vehicles. Before it was known as the Lincoln Mark VII, this vehicle actually was called and named as the Lincoln Continental Mark VII. Since it holds the Lincoln brand, it has been crafted to be a luxury car and it has been designed to be a large car. In fact, it has been produced as a coupe with an installed rear wheel drive system.



The lifespan of the Lincoln Mark VII started in 1984. Production for this vehicle continued up until 1992. The vacant spot and the niche in automobile history that the Lincoln Mark VII left behind were filled come the following year when the Lincoln Mark VIII took that spot.



The platform that the Lincoln Mark VII is mounted and constructed on is actually the very same platform that has already been used in other vehicles from the Ford Motor Company. This includes the Ford Thunderbird, the Ford Mustang, and the Lincoln Continental. During the period that the Lincoln Mark VII was introduced and that same period when this vehicle still roamed the streets, it has been said that the Lincoln Mark VII held the most high technology features when it came to comfort and convenience. This was when the vehicle was compared to all the other vehicles out in the market that time. These high class features included power accessories like the power windows, power locks, and power seating. The vehicle also held leather seating, a keyless entry system installed, an onboard computer and message center, as well as digital instruments and gauges.



In automobile history, this vehicle has also etched its name for this was the very first vehicle from the United States that came with the electronic four channel anti lock brakes. This happened back in November 1984. It was good timing though for after six months, the Corvette came out with a vehicle that held the same feature.

Comparing The Muscle Cars

Nowadays there are many different muscle cars on the market, from various manufacturers. In this article we’ll go over a few of the more common models, and give a comparative overview of their specs, for quick reference and comparison.



The Ford Mustang



One of the oldest and best known sporty / fast cars on the road, the Ford Mustang is still a major player. The 2006 Mustang features a 4.0L V6 engine with 210 horsepower. If you go for the Mustang GT, you’ll get a 4.6L V8 engine with 500 horsepower.



Price is not a huge obstacle with the Mustang – MSRP is in the 19K to 32K range.



Fuel consumption is not too bad, with the mustang getting 19/28 and the GT getting 17/25 with manual transmission. Auto transmission gives you 19/25 on the Mustang, and 18/23 on the Mustang GT.



The Chevrolet Corvette



The famed Corvette is another old car that’s still very popular. The 2006 model Corvette Coupe boats a 6.0L V8 that tops out at 400 horsepower. It does have a price tag to go along with it, though, at a starting price of $44,490. But then, maybe that’s why Corvettes are a status symbol.



You can also go for the convertible or Z06 models, which are more expensive. The Z06 offers a 7.0L V8 engine with 505 horsepower. But once again, it’s price matches it’s HP with a base price of $65,690.



Pontiac G6



Pontiac’s new muscle car, the G6, ranks closer to the Mustang than the Corvette. With a 3.5L V6 engine, it has 201 HP of muscle under the hood. It’s price tag is also in the same class as the Ford Mustang at $21,790 base price. The label for the G6 gives it a 21/29 MPG.



You can also upgrade the G6 to the GTP trim level for a 240 HP engine.



At a quick glance, it looks like the Ford Mustang and Pontiac G6 are pretty similar. The Corvette is head and shoulders above them in both power and price. Of course, there are many others to consider, including the Ford GT, which sports a $131,000 price tag.

Chevy Camaro Build It And We Will Buy It

Attention, General Motors! The concept Camaro now making the rounds of U.S. auto shows is a real winner. Keep showing the car, but start making plans to get it built…now! Make no changes to the concept; in other words: keep the boardroom geeks away from the project. Yes, GM is looking at bringing back a venerable nameplate – the Chevrolet Camaro. If all goes as planned, a 2009 model Camaro is a strong possibility. Read on for additional interesting tidbits.



Back in the late 1960s, General Motors responded – albeit a little late – to the wildly successful 1964 1/2 launch of the Ford Mustang. A whole new breed of cars were on the market – pony cars – thanks to the Mustang and GM’s release of the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird. Indeed, Chrysler and American Motors jumped in too with the Dodge Charger, Plymouth Road Runner, and AMC Javelin competing successfully in a popular automobile segment.



Consumer tastes have changed over the years and the Camaro did not keep up them. Better put, it was GM who did not keep up with the Camaro and it, along with the Firebird, were retired after the 2002 model year. 35 years of Camaro/Firebird history came to a bitter end.



Fortunately for Camaro lovers, it may once again be the hated Mustang that rescues the Camaro. As in the 1960s, GM is witnessing Ford’s big success with its retro looking Mustang and GM wants a piece of the action. Unlike GM, Ford never retired the Mustang name and, instead, gave it a complete makeover that has galvanized sales.



The Camaro making the rounds of the U.S. auto shows is a real beauty. Taking its styling cues from the ’69 Camaro, the proposed ’09 Camaro is expected to feature a 6.0L V8 engine paired with a 6 speed manual transmission. The wheels are 21? at the front and 22? at the back, but smaller wheels are likely to be the production standard. In addition, the Camaro’s interior will hearken back to the original model’s interior and include its famed twin instrument pod.



With a base V6 available, the standard Camaro may retail for just under $20,000, a highly competitive price for an awesome looking two door coupe. Now, if the powers that be within GM can be persuaded to build the car based on the concept, the Camaro will certainly give the Mustang a run for the money and keep the all new (retro) Dodge Challenger from swiping away Camaro loyalists.



Oh, to dream about big things…the Camaro is one car that enthusiasts want to go from concept to completion and soon! GM, are you hearing us?

American Muscle Ford Dodge And Chevy

Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, there is new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.



Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one time or another might have been considered a muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; American Motors’ had its Javelin; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.



Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle car era craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.



The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.



So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and 15 or 16 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation cars with fuel mileage 80% or more above the cars from the 1970s.



Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free country and what the consumer wants, the consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will likely appeal to many. No, they won’t be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle cars, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!

3 American Performance Cars

Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn’t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.



So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.



Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these “pony” cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison’s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.



Ford Mustang — Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM’s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World’s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964

2006 Ford Mustang Retro Cruiser

When Ford decided to redesign the Mustang, they opted to incorporate a retro look, much like what was done previously with the Thunderbird. Fortunately, Ford didn’t look at the ghastly Mustang II series from the 1970s for a template, instead the US automaker drew upon the second generation Mustangs of the late 1960s for their inspiration. Let’s just say that the redesigned Mustang has been nothing short of a sell out hit.



Introduced as a 2005 model, the retro Mustang for 2006 offers only one change: the introduction of a Pony package which is meant to give the car a GT look and feel. Borrowing from the fastback design of the late 1960s, the 2005 model was such a hit that Ford could not keep up with production.



Buyers have a choice between a 4.0L V6 and a 4.6L V8 engine to power the car. With 2+2 seating, 107 inch wheelbase, and a curb weight of just under 3500 pounds, the car cruises down the highway with 210 and 300 horses respectively.



Each engine is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission and a 5 speed automatic transmission is optional for both. 4 wheel disc brakes and optional traction control [standard with the V8] help keep the Mustang under control.



Clothe bucket seats are standard with leather seats optional. All models come with tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power locks and windows, power side mirrors, and air conditioning.



Ford gives buyers a choice between 5 coupe and 5 convertible models with base MSRP starting at $19,810 for the coupe and $24,635 for the convertible.



First year sales of the Mustang were so good that the car sold out by early Spring. In fact, the Mustang dethroned the Chrysler 300 as the hottest car on the market with more than 15,000 Mustangs sold per month. All of this production is from just one factory.



Production for 2006 is certain to be tight and with little incentives available – they certainly aren’t needed – the Mustang is likely to continue to have a long waiting list of customers desiring the sporty coupe. Considering that sales across the Ford division are flat, this is good news for an automaker desperately needing a hot seller.