The 3rd gen was much more distinct (different) than the 4th compared to other models.

 

They made Machs with Verts? I was sure they never did.
I love those big beasts.

I had a chance to buy a 73 Mustang with a 351C about 7 months ago...it was from the original owner, with 70k or 80k miles. Ladies and gentlemen, this car, literally, was from 'an old lady' and about as 'all original' as one can get. I have never seen an all original engine bay like I had that one. I bet it had the original air filter in there also, if I had looked. Someone in Santa Cruz bought themselves a gem. I didn't buy it because, although it had the original paint, it had shopping cart dings on the front bumper, and figured that not only was that going to be a pain to fix, but it would take away what made that car so great...its originality (specifically, original paint). My day trip to relax was ended with my decision to go home and try to forget about it.

 

As much as I loved this thread, I don't think it belongs in "5th gen and future vehicle discussion"

I never knew so many cars came with t-tops!

 

Do you mean it?

I have a co-worker/engineering buddy here in the office that has an 84 LTD LX he has been talking of selling (loosely, but talking). He asks me questions about it all the time because he knows I am into the Ford junk pretty deep.

I can indeed verify that is is a police package car. It is bone stock today, except for the consumables like tires, brakes plugs, etc. Bill has taken exceptional care of it, and drives it at least a couple times a week. He loves it for 200-mile road trips because the mileage is pretty good (mid 20's), it's peppy as all get out, it has 4 doors, and it's so cheap and easy to maintain it's a joke.

No significant problems outstanding. The interior needs a little TLC. The center console was hacked pretty bad while a cop car. there are a few holes in the dash - small but what you'd expect in a cop car. It does have the rug, not the rubber mat. Has it's original hub caps. It's medium blue (solid color) exterior with blue/grey cloth interior. Has the stock/original 5.0 with TBI and mechanical AOD (not the electronic one). Runs great - I go to lunch with Bill in it from time to time. It's like a 4-door Mustang in many ways - even the door panels and handles are just like the same-year Mustang.

It's funny to me how many (and I mean MANY) folks don't know that the Mustang/Fairmont/Futura/Thunderbird/Cougar/Capri/Zephyr/LTD/Marquis were all built on the same platform for a few years in the late 70's thru early 80's. And they all shared tons of common parts, from body panels to drivelines. You could turn that LTD LX into a real screamer with some Mustang aftermarket goodies in a hurry!

 

Maybe it doesn't belong in here by technicality...
But if it werent in here, it wouldn't be as cool as it is IMO!

We have some really cool folks posting in here that are more diverse (brand-wise) than what you would find in the Lounge. It makes things more interesting for all I think.

And one last twist...
In a remote and abstract sort of way, threads like this DO belong in future car forums because what we are doing in this thread shows carmakers that the unique, special editions and non-typical models that they put out often stir the spirit of the consumer, create buzz for the moment, and memories for the history books. This type of thing is what can make buyers loyal to domestic brands - even specific brands and/or models. I call it "putting spirit and soul into the car".

I'd like to see the US carmakers get a little more back to these types of marketing and consumer involvement - I think they are already, but we need to go further than we have so far. I mean, think about the list of cars we have run-off... alot of them were NOT screamers or high-priced, but they were unique and fun, and we remember them 20 years later for what they offered us. I can't say that about any Corolla or B210 from my youth...

 

Great points.

 

I agree with all of that.
On your final point, its why I created that (gone and forgotten) thread about the Focus SVT/turbo Neon/Cobalt SS thread. I'd like to see more development in that area, even though I'm getting kinda old (might be my traffic record talking though ).

 

Got news for you... any Focus or Cobalt will get you a ticket as fast as a Camaro or Mustang!

Only my F-250 and '66 Sprint 200 Mustang make me WANT to drive the speed limit. They just aren't made for running 80 on a backroad. Almost everything else begs me to run.

The last "high-speed driving award" I was able to win was for 72 in a 55... 4 years ago. The trooper was literally sitting 300 yards behind the first 55 sign (it dropped from 70mph to 55 on I-77 south) going into a small town on the right shoulder of the road - it was 4:45 am and I was the only dumb SOB on the road (hence I got ALL the attention too). He popped his lights on before I even got to him - saw them through my windshield! I was already pulled over and stopped before he was able to turn around and come after me. I waited for him to pull up. We talked a bit - he was cool about it. I was in a 5.0 LX with AOD and 2.73:1 rear end - at 60mph it only tachs about 1200rpm so it really will basically idle at 55. I told him I let-up on the accelerator and was just coasting down to 55/60... he said that's what the brakes are for.
As a conclusion, I went to court and they reduced it to 64 because I have a good record, it didn't hit my insurance at all. Cost me about $110 all said and done.

Those old cars we have been talking about would get you a driving award too in a heart beat! Been there, done that!