Pony Cars

Hmmm...
I remember the Dodge Colt. Is that a pony car?

I had a Ford Bronco...is that a pony SUV?

I had a Ford Pinto....

 

Had a Mustang in college, great little car with plenty of zip. My then girlfriend, now wife, loved the moon-roof and the eight track stereo! Those where the days...
BTW, Love the new design

 

My first car was a '67 Fastback, with a 4-speed 289. Had plenty of spunk. I wish I still had that car.

The new '05's are interesting... they have a lot of design points from the 67-68 stangs. 300 horsepower for the GT isn't to shabby, either!

 

Hey, my uncle had one of those Barracudas. I saw many a Mustang fading in the distance out that big back glass!!!

 

When I first met Jan - she owned at 65 Mustang convertible.

Later - after we were married - we had a 74 Mustang II.

Generally I am not a Ford fan - but my first car was a 65 Ford Falcon - which would have had to have been a bird car!

Doc - how do you have a "mid-life" crisis - when you're "over the hill!"

 

Haven't had the pleasure of reading Ms. Sheehy!

You do deserve a Mustang - maybe the lovely Dr. Mrs. Dr. Bob will get you one for your birthday!

 

Living in the greater Metropolitan Detroit area, I don't see a whole lot of mustangs. Especially classic ones. It seems they leave those for the non-automotive buffs. The big thing around here is to have yourself a big ol' Hemi. Road Runners, Challengers, Chargers, 'Cudas, etc. Chrysler is trying to bring it back too with the new 300C Hemi, and the rebirth of the Charger I think next year. The motors are much better now, but they are fuel efficient and not as loud, where's the fun in that?

 

Some observations on Pony Cars, past and present:

Pony cars were American cars built on compact car chassis, but as two-door coupes. The Mustang popularized the genre though the Barracuda which Dr. Bob mentioned came out at about the same time. (The Barracuda was a little too weird-looking for broad acceptance). GM followed with the Camaro and Firebird, and Ford gave Mercury a pony car in '67--the Cougar (probably one of the best looking cars of all time IMHO). Even AMC got into the act with the Javelin.

At the same time that we got Pony cars, we also got muscle cars. Muscle cars were mid-sized cars which were given V-8s from full-sized cars for tire-smoking performance. Examples of this were the Pontiac GTO and the hemi-equipped cars from Chrysler such as the Road-Runner, the Super Bee, etc. These were the cars raced as stockers in NASCAR in the late 60s.

The pony cars and the muscle cars were all oriented to young people. The revival of these cars today is aimed at those nostalgic for those cars who are now old enough to afford what they previously dreamed of.

I think Ford has done a great job with the '05 Mustang. I have yet to see it in person, but from the pix, it is a beautiful car. Too bad they didn't give it an independent rear suspension. I think that move will prove to be a mistake.

 

Isn't part of the charm of riding in a muscle car the occasional loose feeling you get when you hit the gas? Wouldn't an independent rear suspension make the car a bit too sticky? Just a thought

 

Hmmmm.... The new GTO and the Chrysler 300C both have independent suspension. They will be more "sticky" because of it and will get better reviews for superior handling and ride. To be fair to Ford, the Mustang Cobra--their top-of-the-line car will have an independent rear suspension, so it will be comparable.

Independent suspensions are pretty much the norm for cars these days as they do give superior ride and drive. I think Ford should have updated the car & given it the better suspension. It would give the car wider appeal than just to those buying for nostalgia.

 

I think Ford skipped the IRS on the new 2005 Mustang (and GT) to keep cost down. The GT is probably going to be noticeably less expensive than the GTO. With the stiffer frame and new suspension components, the handling will be much improved over the current 'Stang. Plus the current axle will be more reliable for the guys who live for straight line performance.

The '05 is pre-designed to accept IRS, so I'm sure it'll make it's appearance in the specialty models like the Cobra.

I've been waiting to see one in person - fortunately I've gotten my new car fever (lust) back under control now... I'm kinda glad it's not on the dealers lots now, or I may have gotten one already!

 

I have not seen the GTO in person though I understand it is now on dealer lots. Do you know when dealers are supposed to get the 'Stang?

 

Hubby just signed off but said to tell you about his 1969 Cobra Jet Mustang with a shaker hood. Full sized picture link, Click Here


You can't really see the Shaker Hood or Glass Paks on this one tho. LOL Boy was it NOISY!

He TRIED to teach me to drive it but I weighed 89 lbs and had never driven a 5 speed or manual transmission. I kept grinding gears. The day before our wedding, he traded it in for a 4 door Buick Skylark. Is that not love?

FYI... I can drive a stick shift better than any man now! Here's MY Saturn Vue...

 

I'm hearing late September for the '05 to show up on Ford lots. The first crop will probably go fast to those who order early. I'd just like to see a demo in person - to sit behind the wheel as see if it feels right. If it does... I'm in trouble!

 

Ahhhh.... drooooollllll !!

Noisy? I beg your pardon... that was MUSIC!!!

Egads!!! I don't think you'll ever fully understand his sacrifice, Diane!! Either that was absolute love for you or.... love for the car and not wanting you to further degrade it by driving it in such fashion!!

Umm... how can I say this tactfully? You can't, in any fashion, honestly compare shifting a hot rod Mustang to a... <gasp> .... Saturn !!!