Why? Because I want one.

 

Ok. I'm not understanding something. What makes a MACH1 specail? What about this car would make you buy it instead of an 03cobra? Or is it an NA car that's placed in between the GT and the 03cobra? IF that's all it is, then it's a waist of a car\name. When you can shell the extra 5G's for a cobra. But this is comming from someone that doesn't know. Someone has to school me on this.

 

LT1runner, I appplaud your honesty and think it is actually very cool to ask when you have a question.
It would be my honor to explain what makes this car special - in my opinion anyways. Since I have 3 old ones, and I am seriously considering a new one, I have been VERY attentive to these. I laid hands on the red one when it was at Charlotte for the Mustang Grand Nationals in Sept, and I swear to you it was beautifully done.

Quickly,
1)It will be a rare "limited edition" unit.
2)It carries a legendary badge on it's fenders.
3)It has VERY respectable performance.
4)It has "all the goods"...

Now to elaborate a bit... (read if interested, skip if you don't care)
1) The 2003 Mach 1 is destined to be a very collectible car. It has already sold out all 6500 units scheduled for this years production.

2) The first was the '69 Mach I . It was introduced in '69 and ran all the way through the Mustang II years . The '69 -'70 are probably the most sought after body styles, with the
'71-'73 Mach 1's bringing up a close second. The Mustang II of '74 robbed the Mach I of the V8, but Ford continued the "stripes, colors, and wheels" package because it was selling so well. (A mistake IMO.) Mach 1's displaced the GT in 1970 - making the GT no longer available. There were 5 body options available when this car debuted, the coupe, convertible, fastback, BOSS, and Mach 1. The BOSS 302 was for Trans-Am racing, the BOSS 429 was for NASCAR homologation, and the Mach 1 was the "Hot-Rodder's Mustang" (see paragraph 3), intended to offer high-performance , but suited to the buyers' taste with options/features.

3)The new Mach 1 is supposed to be positioned between the GT and the COBRA performance-wise. It also falls in this range $-wise too, which is kinda remarkable given it's uniqueness, IMO. It has ripped of some pretty good times in testing at the Fun Ford Weekend in Atlanta (see top of gallery box). While it may not be a 390hp COBRA, it offers a serious level of performance from the factory, and still leaves you room to add-on if you choose to do so - just like the first cars.

4)The Mach 1 has a large amount of cues tastefully incorporated into it's new design. While nobody can argue that is doesn't have the modern Mustang's powertrain, body work, and electronics, they must also concede that the cues were well planned and executed. there are retro gauges , retro comfort-weave seats ,
new versions of the old Magnum 500 rims , the original badging with correct fonts/proportions, the Shaker hood scoop of course, the retro console appearance with aluminum shifter **** (aka Bullitt), and many other links to it's heritage. Here's a link to many more pics - updated frequently.

I would like to point out one last thing...
We sometimes wonder if our voices get heard here on these boards. Well, they do and this car proves it. This car was created by Mustang Fans - the people who collect, race, show, and of course drive them. Go to the bottom of this article and see the bold quote "This Mach 1 is back because of you!". Read the two paragraphs above the quote.
THIS is the kind of support I want so desperately to see GM give you F-car owners. I think Ford has been graciously rewarded for their efforts in giving us the car we ask for... considering they are all sold out before production even begins. Ford gave us the special serial numbers (to prevent copy-cats) and the limited run quantity to help collectors bolster values, the racers got their higher-than-GT performance, and the nostalgics got their retro interior, wheels, and shakers... EVERYBODY is happy!

So LT1runner, I hope this sheds some light as to why some of us are so hyped about the return of the legendary Mach 1.
With all the respect I have to offer - I am excited about this car, but it will still be a little less sweet not having the Camaro offer it a similar competitor.

...and Thanks to anybody who read all this stuff!

Peace,
Proud

 

Wow. Giving the enthusiast EXACTLY what they want.

What a concept.

 

My freind, you are wise and stoic beyond your years!!!

 

Now if only GM could only grasp the idea

 

What does it have performance wise as opposed to a GT? I thought my stang friends told me it has the cast block, but I might be mistaken?

A special edition Fbody would be nice, but really what else did anyone want with the car? An LS6? That would be more like a Cobra for us rather than a Mach 1. I guess a non-rattle edition would have been nice though...

 

Agreed!

Mustang fans have been clamoring for more power for years now... Camaro never had that problem...

Of course, the glaring problem now is the absence of the F-Body, but while it was here, it was hard to complain about the performance of the car.

 

IF I did not work for a Pontiac dealer, and IF I did not purchase the last Formula on our lot, my order for a Mach 1 would already be in. I am not particularly brand loyal, I owned a 2000 Ranger and a 2000 F-150 prior to the Firebird. Before that I had an 83 Z28. My loyalty is to RWD performance and trucks. Ford nailed it on this one!

 

ProudPony
I owe you a thanks for properly schooling me. I asked and you told me. So now I see why a Mach1 is there for, but it's the 300 projected HP that gets to me. It should have 350 hp. At least be better than the last NA cobra to make a mark. You know? I'm not going to talk trash. Ford does give this car quality parts. At least it seems like they care about it. The only place I feel they dropped the ball is the 300hp. I guess a realistic goal should be from 320 to 350. They 03cobra is still better at (390). Nice car away. I can't fault ford on what they're trying to do.

 

It has a revised 32v Dohc found in the N/A 2001 Cobras but tuned for more low-end power and Tq, 3.55 gears, functional hood, Bullit suspension, 13" front brakes, etc... The block is aluminum. Unlike the bullit, the Mach 1 is a real step above the GT. Ford will use it as the middle guy.

Lt1runner, it could be underrated. I'm sure it'll be packing a little more then just 300hp for it to do 12.9 on a very hot and humid day with just DR's (MM&FF). I think they said it'd duplicate high 12's/low 13's on stock tires on a cooler day. My guess is 320-330. We'll just have to wait for an actual dyno. The improved low end grunt, better gearing, and the live axle should make it faster then the 99/01 Cobras. Low 13's should put it in Ls-1 territory. 300hp or not, that's pretty respectable. In a month or 2, we'll find out how good it really is.

 

LT1runner, thanks for the response.

As far as the projected HP and the car's actual positioning, I don't think it was really a big issue for the new one. The old Mach 1's were available with everything from a 302-2V to the 429 SCJ. Now a V6 would DEFINITELY be ALL WRONG for this car! This new one needed to have a level of performance so as not to get embarassed by other average performance cars in like price, but I really think the overall position of the car is that of being a collectible and modern tribute to the past versions, not a go-out-and-beat-all-competition performer.

This is not the kind of car thats intended for mass-production (like +50k units) and to go head-to-head with LS1s or Dodge Hemis - sure it will happen on occasion, but I think most of the buyers are interested in nostalgia, collectability, and uniqueness. Ford clinched this when they limited the run to 6500 units. You said it yourself, if a buyer just wants hp or to go fast in a Mustang, they need to look at the Cobra, or a Roush, or a Saleen, or a Dugan, etc.

This is definitely a niche car, IMO. But it's a niche I like!

Proud

 

RE, thats what I wanted to know. Thanks man.

 

Digging this old thread up again, because I thought the old quotes would be fun to revive!

I looked at an '03 Mach 1 today....
H**y-s**t is this a beautiful beast in my eyes. I completely forgot about the '05 cars for a while. This thing captures that raw essence that the old cars have in every way - looks, feel, sound, etc. I'm trying hard to keep the wallet closed on this one, but it's not working too well.

Speaking of wallet... we had speculated on prices. $27k is what the internet rumors were settling at.
Well not quite. The MSRP is $29,290 on this one, with the base at $28,370 for all units.
It appears that there is roughly a 50/50 split and those 2 prices are it...
$28,995 for the base unit
$29,290 for units with the "interior upgrade" (which is ?)

Here are the window stickers for the...
base unit and the
upgraded unit
(These links are from actual inventory today - 22Jan03 - so they may not work for long.)

AT LEAST IT STAYED UNDER $30k!!!

 

too bad you can't get a no option one.