Mustang Blog Category: 2004

Barrett-Jackson will auction GT Coupe & Convertible Concepts in Palm Beach

Barrett-Jackson will auction GT Coupe & Convertible Concepts in Palm Beach March 17th, 2009 By Matt Rigney, Author, March 17th, 2009 Matt Rigney 0 Comments

In 2004 Ford created two S197 Mustang GT concepts, one was a Red Metallic GT convertible and the other a Tungsten Silver GT coupe. Both vehicles made their rounds to auto shows across the country and now they are going up for auction at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event on April 11th.

"It's rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event."

The...
In 2004 Ford created two S197 Mustang GT concepts, one was a Red Metallic GT convertible and the other a Tungsten Silver GT coupe. Both vehicles made their rounds to auto shows across the country and now they are going up for auction at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach event on April 11th. "It's rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event." The red metallic convertible (Lot#665) features 20-inch wheels, cross-drilled Brembo brakes, a showbar, red and charcoal leather, a 5-speed automatic transmission and 4-point racing style seatbelts. The tungsten silver Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot#655.1) sports a glass roof, red and charcoal leather interior and a 400 horsepower supercharged engine. More information and photos on both concept Mustangs can be found below: Press Release: Ford Motor Company will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by auctioning the first retail 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and a pair of Mustang GT concept cars during the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11, 2009. The three historic Mustangs will be sold for charity and are among 400-plus collector vehicles to be auctioned at No Reserve during the automotive lifestyle event at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. SPEED will provide live, high-definition TV coverage of the auction once again. "It's rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event." All proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. The two Mustang concepts will be auctioned to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "During the last three years, Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised more than $2 million for charity through the auction of Ford vehicles," noted Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company's president, The Americas. "Ford and Barrett-Jackson will continue this important tradition at this year's Palm Beach auction. The winning bidders for these fantastic Mustangs will be contributing to worthy causes while purchasing automotive history." The first 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Lot #665) is the latest in high-performance cars and features a color scheme and equipment personally chosen by Carroll Shelby. Clad in Kona Blue with white stripes, this GT500 has world-class handling, aggressive styling, and extreme levels of horsepower and torque that are unparalleled in its segment. The two Mustang concepts on the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach docket debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and have traveled to more than 50 auto shows around the world. The fresh design foreshadowed a new direction for the 2005 model year that is still relevant in today's Mustangs. The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept (Lot #655) features a distinct "showbar" with a rim of billet-aluminum trim picking up where the instrument panel and console trim leave off. The dazzling red car is pure muscle from its 20-inch wheels and cross-drilled Brembo brakes to the sharp accent line that runs the length of the body and culminates in a "C-scoop" behind the door cutline. The convertible's interior, awash in supple red and charcoal leather, includes perforated surfaces on the seat backs, as well as a billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-point racing-style seatbelts and unique instrument gauges that resemble a fine watch with its face removed. "This car began with a significantly modified Ford Thunderbird rear-wheel-drive architecture," noted Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "The platform was sectioned to achieve the proper proportion and the front-end geometry is all original. This is truly a piece of history that represents the transition to an entirely new Mustang." The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot #655.1) has a glass roof and lush red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware. Its upward rake angle makes the car appear to be in motion even while at a standstill. The styling matches its convertible sibling. The functional hood scoops help the supercharged engine breathe as it churns out nearly 400 horsepower. Read More

Video: S197 Mustang Gets Aston Martin Vanquish V12

Video: S197 Mustang Gets Aston Martin Vanquish V12 April 28th, 2008 By Matt Rigney, Author, April 28th, 2008 Matt Rigney 0 Comments

Ford Mustang with Aston Martin V12 Vanquish engine

Whoever thought an Aston Martin Vanquish V12 engine would ever make it's way into an S197 Mustang, well it did and the end result is one badass Mustang. The photos of this car were floating around months ago when the build was going on and even then I never expected what you see in the video. The exterior of the car sports a GT500 front end, a Saleen rear, custom wheels and a nice shade of blue paint. The interior is all custom with modified gauges, dvd navigation and blue/black racing seats. Check out the video above to see all the good stuff. Ford Mustang with Aston Martin V12 Vanquish engine Whoever thought an Aston Martin Vanquish V12 engine would ever make it's way into an S197 Mustang, well it did and the end result is one badass Mustang. The photos of this car were floating around months ago when the build was going on and even then I never expected what you see in the video. The exterior of the car sports a GT500 front end, a Saleen rear, custom wheels and a nice shade of blue paint. The interior is all custom with modified gauges, dvd navigation and blue/black racing seats. Check out the video above to see all the good stuff. Read More

Ford Launches FordPerformance.com To Connect With Enthusiasts

Ford Launches FordPerformance.com To Connect With Enthusiasts April 17th, 2008 By Matt Rigney, Author, April 17th, 2008 Matt Rigney 1 Comment

On the same day the Ford Mustang turns 44, Ford Racing has launched an all-new web-based initiative, www.FordPerformance.com, that puts a face and a place on Ford Motor Company's connection to enthusiast clubs and the performance aftermarket. The Ford Performance Group is centered on a web portal that helps facilitate a more interactive relationship between Ford and its past, present and future performance customers.

“We recognize the important role that Ford loyalists play in raising consumer awareness of Ford Motor Company,” noted Jamie Allison, Manager, Ford Racing Performance Group, “and performance enthusiasts tend to be the most... On the same day the Ford Mustang turns 44, Ford Racing has launched an all-new web-based initiative, www.FordPerformance.com, that puts a face and a place on Ford Motor Company's connection to enthusiast clubs and the performance aftermarket. The Ford Performance Group is centered on a web portal that helps facilitate a more interactive relationship between Ford and its past, present and future performance customers. “We recognize the important role that Ford loyalists play in raising consumer awareness of Ford Motor Company,” noted Jamie Allison, Manager, Ford Racing Performance Group, “and performance enthusiasts tend to be the most passionate, active and influential customers of all. This new web-based asset allows us to consolidate our communications with them under one virtual roof. It will also enhance our all-important relationships with Ford-based clubs, coordinate our contact with Ford-centered events and help showcase the exciting new performance offerings from Ford – all in one place. In fact, just like we'd done with Bullitt, we plan to keep www.FordPerformance.com on the inside track for information supporting the launch of the next-generation Mustang.” Visitors to www.FordPerformance.com will find a host of enthusiast content, including: Regular feature stories about Ford-based clubs, members, events and products Ford-oriented enthusiast club and membership info, with links to club sites A Ford performance vehicles “heritage” archives section Ford Performance Info Center contact and merchandise information Portal to Ford Racing, Performance Parts and Ford Vehicles web sites Exclusive Ford performance vehicle “deep-dive” info and photos Using an umbrella approach, www.FordPerformance.com brings unique resources to bear on communicating with Ford enthusiasts and promoting the lifestyle they enjoy. Through the website, Ford will promote clubs, events, products and people in the world of Ford performance, while the clubs will promote select Ford communications with their members. What's more, the Ford Performance Group program includes more than just the establishment of a website-based information clearinghouse. It also includes the Ford Performance Info Center (1-800-FORD-788) which provides club referrals and event information for participating organizations, and handles enthusiast questions on a variety of performance Fords. Plus live, expert technical assistance on the use of Ford performance hardware is readily available via the Ford Racing Tech Line staff. “Launching the www.FordPerformance.com web site in support of our Info Center and Tech Line is great news for Ford performance enthusiasts,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Performance Group Marketing Manager. “Together they provide the only service of its kind offered by any of the major automakers. No one else promotes their enthusiast clubs like this, or gives their performance customers a direct line to the factory. And thanks to our years of working with enthusiasts at the grassroots level, we're now able to offer clubs what their organizers had told us they wanted most: a way to promote their Ford performance passion, and the ability to gain a sustainable connection with the company.” Better still, members of clubs that join the Ford Performance Group qualify for a discount on purchases of special Ford enthusiast merchandise. Items available through the Info Center include out-of-print SVT product brochures, tech data cards and posters, official Certificates of Authenticity as well as rare, hardcover Mustang, SVT and Ford GT books. It's no accident that the first three clubs to participate in the program are tied to current Ford performance vehicle offerings. “While we’ve long enjoyed strong support from Ford, establishing promotions for our club is a great benefit to MCA members,” said Mustang Times Editor Mary Jean Wesche of the Mustang Club of America. But deemed just as important to enthusiast owners is the role of the Ford Performance Info Center. “SVTOA members have found the toll-free hotline to be a valuable resource,” noted Marcie Cipriani, national director of the Special Vehicle Team Owners Association. “That connection really delivers on the brand promise of a special vehicle.” Indeed, it was the International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club's newfound connection with Ford that netted them an advance peek at the 2008 Bullitt – and an appreciation of the new initiative. “On behalf of IMBOC Founder Mike Affourtit and our club members, we're excited about our new relationship with the Ford Performance Group,” said Tony Alonso, the Ford liaison for IMBOC, “and we look forward to our continued collaboration.” Plans are already in place to expand the program to include more enthusiast vehicle clubs, including those for the Mustang Mach 1, SVO and Pace Cars, as well as the Mercury Marauder and Taurus SHO, just to name a few. For now, enthusiasts are urged to take a look at the world of Ford performance by visiting www.FordPerformance.com, and to check back often to see just how enthusiast owners keep “Driving Ford Passion.” Read More

Replica Aston Martin Vanquish Built From A Mustang

Replica Aston Martin Vanquish Built From A Mustang January 10th, 2008 By Matt Rigney, Author, January 10th, 2008 Matt Rigney 11 Comments

Ever dreamed of owning an Aston Martin Vanquish like the one James Bond drove, well your dream maybe closer to reality then you ever thought thanks to Canadian company Exclusive Motors. The Canadian tuning company is bringing the Aston Martin Vanquish to the masses by building a replica based on 99-04 Mustangs. To make the replica as authentic as possible the Mustang has to be completely stripped down and completely rebuilt by hand utilizing a 34-piece body kit along with a complete custom interior. The company chose 99-04 Mustangs because of their new styling and how closely it resembles the Aston Martin family of vehicles. As for the... Ever dreamed of owning an Aston Martin Vanquish like the one James Bond drove, well your dream maybe closer to reality then you ever thought thanks to Canadian company Exclusive Motors. The Canadian tuning company is bringing the Aston Martin Vanquish to the masses by building a replica based on 99-04 Mustangs. To make the replica as authentic as possible the Mustang has to be completely stripped down and completely rebuilt by hand utilizing a 34-piece body kit along with a complete custom interior. The company chose 99-04 Mustangs because of their new styling and how closely it resembles the Aston Martin family of vehicles. As for the engine the company plans on a full range of Mustang engines including a 5.4 liter V8. According to the company the Ford Mustang enabled them to create a car which had very low and inexpensive maintnence along with low insurance rates. For the build process they used 10 different companies to build the car allowing each company to put their unique touch on certain areas of the car. I have listed the whole build process below after the photos. I have to admit after looking over the photos this has to be one of the best replicas I have ever seen. The replica Aston Martin Vanquish looks exactly like the real thing. What they did with the interior is almost shocking, you can tell it's a 99-04 Mustang but you have to do a double take. No pricing has been announced for the kit but expect it to be rather expensive. The Building Process A company takes care of purchasing the right donor car. From background information, mileage, wear-and-tear, damage, correct paper work, and the right location. The next company strips all the necessary parts, makes all the required chassis changes, installs all the suspension components, and does a full mechanical inspection. A company here builds us grills, door handles, hinges, brackets, that are crafted and designed for our project. In this step, two individual companies produce the 34 piece composite body. This is done in a hand lay-up and also a resin transfer method. All the best materials are used to allow us to put on such a beautiful paint job. Even though part of the Ford Mustang door is used, a full door buildup is done. This step is done by us. We take care of the assembly of the complete body. From headlights, grills, exhaust, and partial interior pieces. We make sure that the car has the right fit. Another company then assembles the complete interior. At this point the car is sent out to the paint shop. The car is then painted in a basecoat clear coat Glasurit paint. It is then hand sanded and polished to perfection. Also, a number of interior parts are painted. The interior is then sent out to our master upholsterer, where it is finished in the right leathers and materials. In this step, we have a unique company that makes hand made automotive glass. A little thicker glass and laminate gives us better sound quality inside the car. This is the part we enjoy the most. Yes, the car has to be tested. At the point we are satisfied, the car is detailed, ready for delivery. Source: AutoTrader.co.uk Read More