Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2014 Ford Mustang GT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



I was more than a year removed from my last experience with the Mustang GT and its delicious 5.0 V8 when this new 2014 example rolled up to my driveway recently. Good weather and a planned road trip across the state meant that I would get plenty of seat time in this conservatively specified example, too. In total, I logged about 400 miles in a week of driving - not a lot for some of you super commuters out there, but quite a lot for this work-from-home journalist.

The basic formula of the 5.0 has stayed the same for 2014. The 2013 model year saw a number of updates to keep the Mustang fresh until it's replaced with an all-new generation for 2015. So, for its bon voyage tour, the fifth-generation Pony Car has seen only a few modifications: a couple of new paint colors (Oxford White and Ruby Red Metallic), trim and wheel revisions and, sadly, the deletion of the Boss 302 from the Ford lineup. However, while the limited-edition Boss is likely to reappear sometime after the gen-six Mustang makes its debut in 2015, the GT Track Package cars like the one I tested provide at least a partial solution for those looking for hot laps.

Driving Notes
  • The 5.0 V8 never gets old. 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque are delivered with satisfying linearity, as the Coyote motor spins up to redline far quicker than you'd expect for an engine of this displacement. Sonically rich, with just a hint of a hard edge to the exhaust over 5,000 rpm and a satisfyingly lazy rumble at idle, the soundtrack is pure enthusiast driving pleasure at most speeds. Oh yeah... on the first day I had the car I was reminded that the 5.0 Mustang is fast as all hell, too. Don't let its ubiquity fool you, this is a serious performance machine.
  • The six-speed manual trans is quite substantial, with a positive, metallic click heard when shifting through the range. The gates are nicely spaced and the throws short. I generally enjoy using this beefy gearbox, though when trying for really fast changes - especially downshifts - a lighter, more accurate action would be appreciated. Clutch action is pretty low effort and progressive, and with so much torque that it's simple to get the GT moving - gently or in a cloud of smoke as your taste and situation dictate.
  • As I mentioned, the Mustang I drove was equipped with Ford's excellent GT Track Package. For $2,450, the track pack feels like an excellent value for weekend racers or drivers that might want to upgrade their GT substantially down the road. The options group contains a little bit of what made the Boss 302 cool, in a Bossless model year. (Automobile web editor Evan McCausland quipped to me that the test car I had was, "more of an assistant manager" than a Boss, which is about right.) The most noticeable equipment you'll get if you spec your Stang this way are the larger Brembo brakes and the Torsen helical diff with its more aggressive 3.73:1 rear axle. In a week filled with random quick corners and side-trips to back roads, I can attest that all make the GT feel a lot more sports car-like than less-endowed base GTs. For actual track work, the package's upgraded radiator (from the Boss 302) and engine oil cooler should help keep internals cool, as well.
  • Not part of the track pack, my car also had optional ($1,595) Recaro cloth racing seats. A far cry from the fully stuffed leather chairs I'm used to seeing in media-fleet Mustangs, I ended up falling in love with these Recaros. The fabric they're trimmed with is simple without looking downmarket, and the bolsters help them grip the driver firmly without squeezing too hard at the hips. Even my XL frame was a good fit. I'll admit that after about 150 miles, I was feeling the frame dig into my thighs a little bit - these probably aren't the best road trip seats - but for everyday driving or canyon road bombing, they're superb.
  • On that same road trip, I should mention that I had no trouble hitting the EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon on the highway... if I set the cruise right around 70 miles per hour. At a more normal (for me) 75 or 80 mph, the econ drops to about 21 on the interstate. In town I was seeing roughly 11 mpg, though admittedly I was keeping the revs high quite a lot to better hear the exhaust. I think the 17 mph city estimate is doable, if you're willing to blandly shift up into fourth a lot.
  • Outside of the great seats, this interior is starting to feel pretty dated. With no navigation screen especially, there's no end to the gray and black plastic you seen in front of you. Accessing SYNC via the standard radio's buttons and knobs is an atrocious way to navigate your digitally stored music, and the voice commands feel utterly unwieldy compared to newer systems like Cadillac CUE. (Dan Roth's, Chris Paukert's and Consumer Reports' protestations to the contrary, CUE feels positively visionary after a week with this low-end, touchscreen-less SYNC.) Both iPhones and iPods were randomly spurned as "not recognized" devices; even after working the time before. And even when I could get my music to play, the sound system managed to sound both underpowered and badly voiced. It's a good thing the V8 soundtrack doesn't get old.

2014 Ford Mustang GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustang2014 ford mustang gtfordford mustangford mustang gtquick spinFri, 17 May 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20571331/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/2014-ford-mustang-gt-quick-spin-review/20571331/article-detail.xml 20571331 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/002-2014-ford-mustang-gt-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/002-2014-ford-mustang-gt-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Now With More EcoBoost



There's an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in there somewhere, and it's headed straight for Ugly Horse.

For the second time in my life, I'm staring at an engine in the back of a truck with no concept of how to get it safely into the garage by my lonesome. The first time this happened, I dragged home a $300 International 345 V8 in the back of my Scout Terra only to discover that the bounds of my manliness terminated well before my ability to muscle that 800-pound cast iron block out of the pickup bed.

Now you know the story of how and why I bought my first engine puller.

Some six years later I'm playing out the same dance, though a Ford F-250 has stolen the Scout's starring role, and there's a towering pallet of thick cardboard boxes in place of the old International mill. It's not that the boxes are particularly heavy. They're just stacked too high to get in the garage. Each one is emblazoned with a massive Ford Racing Performance Parts logo and wrapped in enough plastic to keep both prying fingers and the persistent rain at bay. Good thing, too. There's an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in there somewhere, and it's headed straight for Ugly Horse.

Project Ugly Horse is an ongoing series. Need to catch up? You can find the previous articles here.

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII

Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustangecoboostecoboost fox body mustangecoboost mustangfeaturedfocusfocus stfordford focus stford mustangproject ugly horseugly horseFri, 17 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570764/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/20570764/article-detail.xml 20570764 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/slot-a-tab-b-628-1368799270_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/slot-a-tab-b-628-1368799270.jpg <![CDATA[Watch these videos of an NHRA racer's bodywork blowing off into a crowd]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/watch-these-videos-of-an-nhra-racers-bodywork-blowing-off-into/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/watch-these-videos-of-an-nhra-racers-bodywork-blowing-off-into/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/watch-these-videos-of-an-nhra-racers-bodywork-blowing-off-into/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Just a few months ago, fan safety at racetracks was a hot topic following the last-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series crash at Daytona that sent large pieces of racecars into the grandstands injuring 33 fans. Now, a freak incident at a National Hot Rod Association event resulted in a drag racer's bodywork flying into the crowd at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte over the weekend. The carbon-fiber body of Robert Hight's Ford Mustang funny car blew off toward the end of a run when his engine exploded, but fortunately, the two fans evaluated after the incident were later released without serious injury.

As you can see in the image above, the body flew high into the air before landing on a walkway in front of the grandstands, a bit of happenstance that likely gave most fans enough time and space to move out of the way. Scroll down to watch a couple of videos showing what happened, including one from a fan's perspective that also reveals what appears to be part of the body's metal bracing landing dangerously close to the crowd.

Continue reading Watch these videos of an NHRA racer's bodywork blowing off into a crowd

Watch these videos of an NHRA racer's bodywork blowing off into a crowd originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drag racingfailfan safetyfordford mustangfunny carnational hot rod associationnhranhra four-wide nationalsrobert hightvideoTue, 23 Apr 2013 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547503/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/watch-these-videos-of-an-nhra-racers-bodywork-blowing-off-into/20547503/article-detail.xml 20547503 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/robert-high-nhra-crash_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/robert-high-nhra-crash.jpg <![CDATA[Ford celebrates 1 millionth Mustang built at Flat Rock]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/ford-celebrates-1-millionth-mustang-built-at-flat-rock/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/ford-celebrates-1-millionth-mustang-built-at-flat-rock/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/ford-celebrates-1-millionth-mustang-built-at-flat-rock/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Yesterday, the Ford Mustang turned 49 years old, and Ford didn't miss the opportunity to celebrate the one millionth version of the Mustang rolling off the assembly line at the Flat Rock Assembly plant. Production of the Mustang at Flat Rock coincided with the fifth-generation design launching in 2004, and the one millionth car was the car shown above, a 2014 GT convertible painted in Ruby Red.

In total, Ford has sold more than 8.5 million Mustangs since the original car went on sale, but some of the key milestones over the car's nine years at Flat Rock include the Shelby GT-H, Bullitt, Boss 302 and, of course, the 662-horsepower Shelby GT500. Scroll down for a press release celebrating Flat Rock's milestone Mustang.

Continue reading Ford celebrates 1 millionth Mustang built at Flat Rock

Ford celebrates 1 millionth Mustang built at Flat Rock originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustangflat rock assemblyfordford mustangone millionth ford mustangThu, 18 Apr 2013 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20543898/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/18/ford-celebrates-1-millionth-mustang-built-at-flat-rock/20543898/article-detail.xml 20543898 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/millionth-ford-mustang_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/millionth-ford-mustang.jpg <![CDATA[First Ford Mustang prototype shots caught by legendary spy shooter Jim Dunne]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/first-ford-mustang-prototype-shots-caught-by-legendary-spyshoote/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/first-ford-mustang-prototype-shots-caught-by-legendary-spyshoote/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/first-ford-mustang-prototype-shots-caught-by-legendary-spyshoote/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Ford Mustang prototype - heavily camouflaged - rear three-quarter view

You know how people refer to someone as having "been around the block" to mean they're very experienced? Well, when it comes to automotive spy photography, Jim Dunne actually laid down the concrete slabs of the block's sidewalk. The unforgettable Dunne more or less invented the car spy game - a fact he cemented by writing book called Car Spy - and has been delivering spy shots and reporting on the industry for some 45 years now. (He also once employed this writer as his impromptu personal chauffer on a Volkswagen trip in Germany, while he slept, but that's a story for a different time.)

In any event, Dunne must be on a mission to prove that "elder statesman" doesn't also mean "washed up" as it is his shots of the upcoming new 2015 Ford Mustang that we've been handed by our friends at KGP Photography.

Mr. Dunne has likely spent the last few years obtaining powerful telescopic lenses, as the Ford in question has clearly been photographed from some distance. Nevertheless, what you see here is visual evidence that the sixth-generation Mustang has moved beyond the mule stage, and is now testing in proper prototype form. Sources indicate that there are production-spec body panels under that baggy canvass dress; but the slightly less bulky silhouette of the new car can be just made out. While the car's bumpers have been removed to obfuscate things, we can tell by way of the camo's apertures that the car's taillights have moved upwards and towards the lip of the tail. A fender vent appears to be visible, too, just behind the front wheel.

Have a closer look at this brief set of images - from and American classic and of an American classic - in the attached gallery. See anything notable in the first look at the new Mustang? Let us in on it, in comments, below.

First Ford Mustang prototype shots caught by legendary spy shooter Jim Dunne originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustangfordford mustangjim dunnekgp photographynew mustangsixth-gen mustangspy shotsFri, 12 Apr 2013 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20538975/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/first-ford-mustang-prototype-shots-caught-by-legendary-spyshoote/20538975/article-detail.xml 20538975 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ford-mustang-prototype-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ford-mustang-prototype-628.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part VII]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/project-ugly-horse-part-vii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/project-ugly-horse-part-vii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/project-ugly-horse-part-vii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Devils, Details and Weight Reduction

Ford Racing Aluminum Driveshaft

There are many things I could call this exercise. A party is not one of them.

I've spent three days crammed in the axle well of this 1989 Mustang with nothing to keep me company beyond a trouble light, a DeWalt drill on the very last of its legs and billion razor sharp, red hot slivers of metal with an affinity for my most sensitive of regions. My joints are raw from crawling around on the concrete. I'm half deaf from the shriek of the spot weld cutter and the boom of the cold chisel and hammer.

There are many things I could call this exercise. A party is not one of them. You see, after test-fitting the independent rear suspension from a 2004 Mustang Cobra into the old Fox Body I was left with the really challenging portion of the install: the details.

Technically, I could have simply plumbed some brake lines, said, "screw the emergency brake," dropped in a driveshaft and rolled, but I want this car to function in all the ways a road machine should, while still being able turn a decent lap on a road course. Combine that desire with a compulsion to scrape every ounce of unnecessary weight from the Mustang, and the result is me doing my best impression of a hammer-wielding Quasimodo, contorted into the void where the rear suspension should be.

Need to catch up on Project Ugly Horse? Take a look at the earlier posts here!

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part VII

Project Ugly Horse: Part VII originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustangautoblog project ugly horseautoblog ugly horsefeaturedfordford mustangugly horseugly horse mustangFri, 12 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20537842/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/project-ugly-horse-part-vii/20537842/article-detail.xml 20537842 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/driveshaft-628-1365714962_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/driveshaft-628-1365714962.jpg <![CDATA[Ford unveils Mustang 50th anniversary logo, plans merchandise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/ford-unveils-mustang-50th-anniversary-logo-plans-merchandise/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/ford-unveils-mustang-50th-anniversary-logo-plans-merchandise/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/ford-unveils-mustang-50th-anniversary-logo-plans-merchandise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary logo

The Ford Mustang turns 50 years old this year, and this is the logo that will announce the milestone occasion on a special line of merchandise. The graphic is the result of an internal design competition, and Ford will give 50 different companies the license to use it on traditional logo merchandise like shirts and watches, along with some untraditional items like pinball machines.

Ford is going to begin the celebrations at this week's New York Auto Show and continue them throughout the year, but April 17 is the official birthday of the the pony car that just won't quit. You can expect to start seeing anniversary merchandise in the next couple of weeks.

Continue reading Ford unveils Mustang 50th anniversary logo, plans merchandise

Ford unveils Mustang 50th anniversary logo, plans merchandise originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford mustang50th anniversaryfordford mustanglogomustang anniversaryschottschott jacketschott nycTue, 26 Mar 2013 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20518436/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/26/ford-unveils-mustang-50th-anniversary-logo-plans-merchandise/20518436/article-detail.xml 20518436 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mustanganniversarylogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mustanganniversarylogo.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Shelby 1000 unleashes its 1,200 horsepower ahead of NY show reveal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2013-shelby-1000-unleashes-its-1-200-horsepower-ahead-of-ny-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2013-shelby-1000-unleashes-its-1-200-horsepower-ahead-of-ny-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2013-shelby-1000-unleashes-its-1-200-horsepower-ahead-of-ny-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Shelby 1000 Mustang - front three-quarter view, black

True story: Last fall, I had the opportunity to spend a week with Ford's new 2013 Shelby GT500 - the Blue Oval's factory Mustang with 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque. It's an amazing beast, to be sure. I'm not sure if it was Michigan's damp streets strewn with potholes and wet leaves, but at no point did I ever say to myself, "You know, Ford is on to a really good thing here, but what it really needs is about twice the power." And yet, for people in warmer climes with infrastructure in better nick - or for those whose muscle cars live their lives out on the track, there's apparently sufficient demand to warrant just such a beast.

Quick studies will recall that Shelby American launched its 1000 last year to commemorate its 50th anniversary, but it is returning to the New York Auto Show with a fresh version based on the 2013 GT500 I drove. The 2013 Shelby 1000 whips up 1,200 horsepower on pump gas thanks to beefed-up forced induction, engine internals and cooling. Wisely, it also incorporates an adjustable suspension and big brake package to make sure those ponies have the best chance being safely deployed to the ground.

What price the world's most powerful "production" muscle car? $154,995 for starters - donor GT500 not included. What, no convertible variant?

Continue reading 2013 Shelby 1000 unleashes its 1,200 horsepower ahead of NY show reveal

2013 Shelby 1000 unleashes its 1,200 horsepower ahead of NY show reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 shelby 1000carroll shelbyfordford mustangford shelby gt500most powerful musclecarnew yorknew york 2013new york auto showshelbyshelby americanFri, 22 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20514638/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/22/2013-shelby-1000-unleashes-its-1-200-horsepower-ahead-of-ny-show/20514638/article-detail.xml 20514638 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/shelby-1000-mustang-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/shelby-1000-mustang-628.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Ford Cobra Jet announced with new colors, parachute mount]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2014-ford-cobra-jet-announced-with-new-colors-parachute-mount/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2014-ford-cobra-jet-announced-with-new-colors-parachute-mount/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/2014-ford-cobra-jet-announced-with-new-colors-parachute-mount/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Ford's drag-strip-ready Mustang Cobra Jet is back for 2014, and it's sporting a few changes to make it even better - both in competition and while sitting still. Rolling off the assembly line ready for duty in the NHRA Stock or Super Stock classes, production of the 2014 Cobra Jet is limited to just 50 units.

Racing upgrades for 2014 include the addition of a new three-speed transmission and a parachute mount, and while these will make the car better in the quarter mile, the Cobra Jet's new colors will make it look better tearing down the track. Buyers can now get their racecars painted up in Gotta Have-It Green or a custom, Cobra Jet-exclusive matte black hue. Ford and Ford Racing have already teamed up to make this an incredible factory drag racer with a full rollcage, massive slicks, a race-tuned suspension setup and a supercharged 5.0-liter V8. Now, if only wheelie bars came standard...

Unlike the confusing third-party ordering system announced for the COPO Camaro, all you need to snatch up a 2014 Cobra Jet is $97,990 and good timing (as the cars will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis). Ordering opens up next month with production commencing in July. Check out the press release below.

Continue reading 2014 Ford Cobra Jet announced with new colors, parachute mount

2014 Ford Cobra Jet announced with new colors, parachute mount originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustang cobra jetcobra jetdrag racingfordford mustangford mustang cobra jetFri, 22 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20512914/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/22/2014-ford-cobra-jet-announced-with-new-colors-parachute-mount/20512914/article-detail.xml 20512914 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2014-ford-mustang-cobra-jet_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2014-ford-mustang-cobra-jet.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part VI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/project-ugly-horse-part-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/project-ugly-horse-part-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/project-ugly-horse-part-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Solid Axle? What Solid Axle?

Independent Rear Suspension in Project Ugly Horse

I was fully prepared to embark on a seven-day journey down a rabbit hole of broken bolts, internet hearsay and consternation.

This should not have gone this easily. Having a long and checkered history of simple projects punctuated by much wailing and gnashing of knuckles, I was fully prepared to embark on a seven-day journey down a rabbit hole of broken bolts, internet hearsay and consternation when I finally decided to lay hands on the '89 Mustang with the goal of relieving the car of its stock rear axle. Instead, it took less than a full morning's worth of work to carve the old 7.5-inch solid axle from its moorings and mock up something, well, different.

You see, after my enablers friends at a local Ford Mustang salvage shop made mention of how easy it would be to plunk an independent rear suspension from a 2004 Mustang Cobra in the ass-end of my decrepit hatch, I became consumed with the notion. Sure, anyone with half a lick of sense and the synapses necessary to fire off a Google search will tell you the stock hardware can be made to handle quite well with a few modest modifications, but the IRS held a number of unique appeals. Chiefly, the conversion actually made financial sense.

Listen, you can't give me any look I haven't seen from my wife on a weekly basis for the past four years, and sheltered as I am from the glare of your skeptical eyes, I'll expound on the dollars and cents argument for gracing my $400 car with more than $900 worth of engineering.

Need to catch up on Project Ugly Horse? Catch up on all the earlier posts here!

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part VI

Project Ugly Horse: Part VI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustangcobrafordford mustangfox bodymustangmustang cobraproject ugly horseugly horseThu, 21 Mar 2013 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20512053/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/21/project-ugly-horse-part-vi/20512053/article-detail.xml 20512053 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ugly-horse-irs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/ugly-horse-irs.jpg <![CDATA[Would a Mustang-based Lincoln look like this?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/would-a-mustang-based-lincoln-look-like-this/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/would-a-mustang-based-lincoln-look-like-this/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/would-a-mustang-based-lincoln-look-like-this/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lincoln Continental Mark X1 Concept

Lincoln Continental Mark X1 ConceptDesigner Josiah LaCalla has taken a stab at what a Ford Mustang-based Lincoln model might look like with the Continental Mark X1 concept. Make no mistake, Ford's luxury arm has made it abundantly clear that it won't be pursuing any new products outside of volume models, which means a flashy halo grand tourer like the one you see here isn't in the cards. LaColla used the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a basis for his creation, which explains the long nose, but we certainly don't mind the idea of a rear-wheel drive Lincoln with a cabin pushed to the aft.

While we're dreaming, there's certainly nothing stopping us from imagining what's under that lengthy hood. We like the idea of the 5.8-liter supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500 pushing the Mark X1 down the road, but how about something a little more inventive? Something like a high-revving, buttery V12 with enough torque to push the contraption well past 200 miles per hour. Dream a little dream, people.

Would a Mustang-based Lincoln look like this? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>continental mark x1fordford mustangLaColla Designlincolnlincoln continental mark x1mustangMon, 07 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20418406/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/07/would-a-mustang-based-lincoln-look-like-this/20418406/article-detail.xml 20418406 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/continental-mark-x1-1-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/continental-mark-x1-1-628.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part III]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/project-ugly-horse-part-iii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/project-ugly-horse-part-iii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/project-ugly-horse-part-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Now With More Manual Transmission

Trans Swap

Trust me when I say there is no more detestable a sensation than being slowly overrun by cold tranny fluid.

This isn't my first rodeo. I have, in the past, pulled any number of transmissions, both automatic and manual, and no matter how many times I do the deed, I'm always astounded at the staggering preponderance of fluid a slusher can stash away in its unknown voids. I started the madness of converting this 1989 Ford Mustang from a four-speed automatic to a five-speed manual by dropping the pan on the old gearbox and letting the super-fried automatic transmission fluid bleed out into a drain pan.

Pulling the old box out of the car was as simple as keeping everything supported while I removed the driveshaft, unbolted the bellhousing from the engine block and sent the one crossmember that supported the transmission packing. But wrestling the contraption from under the car unleashed a small lake of brackish ATF that threatened to flash flood the basement. Trust me when I say there is no more detestable a sensation than being slowly overrun by cold tranny fluid. Please hold your "that's what she said" jokes until the conclusion of our program.

Project Ugly Horse: Part I
Project Ugly Horse: Part II

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part III

Project Ugly Horse: Part III originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aluminumfeaturedfordford mustangmustangprojectproject ugly horseproject ugly horse part 3transmissiontransmission swapugly horseuglyhorse+mustanguglyhorsemustangThu, 13 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20402066/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/13/project-ugly-horse-part-iii/20402066/article-detail.xml 20402066 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/01-trans-swap-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/01-trans-swap-628.jpg <![CDATA[RWD Lincolns are coming, fate depends partly on MKZ success]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The product portfolio at Lincoln may seem a bit sparse at the moment, but if a report is to be believed, new products are on the way. TheDetroitBureau.com spoke with sources at Lincoln and Ford, who claimed the American premium brand is working on, perhaps more than one, rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

Lincoln would likely platform-share with the next-generation Ford Mustang to develop those RWD offerings in the early going. Moving forward, the report indicates that Lincoln could take the lead on other rear-drive projects in the future. As the RWD architecture continues to take shape, "most or all" of the front-wheel-drive portfolio will also be offered with all-wheel drive as an option, ala Audi.

But wait, there's more! The report also suggests that a replacement for the full-size MKS is on the way, as well as a new Navigator and a luxury crossover based on the current Ford Escape.

These plans sound bold and optimistic, but they all hinge on the performance of the MKZ. Ford CEO Alan Mulally has not been shy about the possibility of abandoning Lincoln if things don't turn around soon. Currently the only all-new product in the brand's stable is the MKS, and it will need to be an immediate sales success for any talk of any future product to come to fruition.

RWD Lincolns are coming, fate depends partly on MKZ success originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lincoln mkzalan mulallyfordford mustanglincolnmkzmulallymustangTue, 04 Dec 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20392966/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/04/rwd-lincolns-are-coming-fate-depends-partly-on-mkz-success/20392966/article-detail.xml 20392966 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-lincoln-mkz-new-york-2012_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-lincoln-mkz-new-york-2012.jpeg <![CDATA[Ford Mustang Cobra Jet wheelies with abandon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/ford-mustang-cobra-jet-wheelies-with-abandon/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/ford-mustang-cobra-jet-wheelies-with-abandon/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/ford-mustang-cobra-jet-wheelies-with-abandon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Wheel Stand crash

Yes, that is a Ford Mustang Cobra Jet with its nose pointed toward the stars and its rear valance on the ground. Marvel at that image while you can, because the car doesn't maintain that posture for long. Once the front tires re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, the situation goes muddy quickly. There's a bounce or two, some sideways action and a few brief concrete kisses before the party comes to a complete stop. Anyone who says drag racing is boring clearly hasn't watched someone ping-pong their purpose-built factory drag car down the quarter mile.

Word has it the driver of this particular pony-shaped pinball walked away from the incident without injury, though we imagine it was a minute or two before his car crawled up to the Christmas tree once again. Check out the video below for a look at the show for yourself.

Continue reading Ford Mustang Cobra Jet wheelies with abandon

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet wheelies with abandon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobra jet crashcobra jet crash videodrag racingfordford mustangford mustang cobra jetmustangmustang cobra jetvideoWed, 21 Nov 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20385751/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/21/ford-mustang-cobra-jet-wheelies-with-abandon/20385751/article-detail.xml 20385751 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cobra-jet-wheel-stand-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cobra-jet-wheel-stand-628.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part II]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/project-ugly-horse-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/project-ugly-horse-part-ii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/project-ugly-horse-part-ii/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Life To The Car, Death To The Slusher



Miss Part I of Project Ugly Horse? Read it here.

Daniel was not happy. The melting frost had turned the dirt/mold mixture on the Mustang's rear quarter panel into a sort of frog-sweat slime, and his right hand was now covered in the goo. He stopped pushing, looked at the contagion and glared.

I'd decided my new life goal was to pass a 911 on the track with this car looking exactly as it does right now.

"You need to wash this thing, Bowman."

Asking a friend to ride four hours north in a standard-cab Ford F-250 to pick up a crappy car was one thing. Asking him to risk his life against a thin coat of psychomagnotheric goo was something else entirely.

I had already made it clear I planned to preserve the, um, patina on the Mustang, mold and all. After all, you can't recreate the kind of personality this car has going on. With its surface rust, grime and general air of dereliction, the machine looks like it would be happier rotting in a field somewhere than tearing up a road course. Which is why I love it. By the time I talked Daniel into rolling the car onto the U-Haul trailer, I'd already decided my new life goal is to pass a 911 on the track with this car looking exactly as it does right now.

The term, kids, is fugly.

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part II

Project Ugly Horse: Part II originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustangfeaturedfordford mustangmustangproject ugly horseproject ugly horse part 2project-ugly-horseugly horseugly+horse+projectuglyhorseprojectWed, 07 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20370780/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/07/project-ugly-horse-part-ii/20370780/article-detail.xml 20370780 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/whole-car-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/whole-car-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Gran Turismo</i> Awards crowns Best of Show from SEMA, will include in game]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/gran-turismo-awards-crowns-best-of-show-from-sema-to-incl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/gran-turismo-awards-crowns-best-of-show-from-sema-to-incl/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/06/gran-turismo-awards-crowns-best-of-show-from-sema-to-incl/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Part of the blinged-out pomp and circumstance that surrounds SEMA is the presentation of the Gran Turismo Awards, which recognizes best car design and innovations in six categories, as well as an overall Best in Show. This year's winner was David Eckert and his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 40, which also won the award for Best Hot Rod.

Other winners included the Toyota DragQuoia for Best Truck/SUV, the 2013 Ford Mustang RTR for Best Domestic Car, the Scion Evasive FR-S for Best Asian Import and the 500-horsepower VWVortex Super Beetle won for best European Import.

But it was the Mach 40 that apparently captured the interest of judges, which included Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi. David Eckert's team created a clever combination of Mustang Mach 1 styling and massive power, using the powertrain from the Ford GT. That means this 'Stang was fitted with a mid-mounted supercharged 5.4-liter V8, producing 600 to 850 horsepower, modulated using an "adjustable horsepower dial." Interestingly, the custom project rides on a C6 Corvette suspension.

The notoriety of the Mach 40 will last well after this year's show, as the car is being included in the Gran Turismo franchise, and will be seen by the millions that play the popular driving simulator. You may never get to drive the Mach 40, but now you may know what driving this car feels like in virtual reality, which for the David Eckert's team, must feel pretty darn cool.

Gran Turismo Awards crowns Best of Show from SEMA, will include in game originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customfordford gtford mustanggran turismogtmustangTue, 06 Nov 2012 09:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20370898/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/06/gran-turismo-awards-crowns-best-of-show-from-sema-to-incl/20370898/article-detail.xml 20370898 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/01-ford-mach-40-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/01-ford-mach-40-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Holman & Moody 50th Anniversary TdF Mustang is a blast from the past]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/holman-and-moody-50th-anniversary-tdf-mustang-sema-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/holman-and-moody-50th-anniversary-tdf-mustang-sema-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/holman-and-moody-50th-anniversary-tdf-mustang-sema-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Holman & Moody 50th Anniversary TdF Mustang

It's easy to forget it was Holman & Moody that helped first put a Ford Mustang on track in competition. Well before Carroll Shelby ever spun a wrench on one of the pony cars, H&M served up a set of race engines for Alan Mann Racing. That team took four specially prepared 1964 notchback Mustang models to the 4,000-mile Tour de France Automobile and brought home first place in the Touring Car class. Holman & Moody have chosen to celebrate that milestone with a special 2014 Ford Mustang dressed in the traditional Alan Mann Racing gold and red livery.

The car features a horsepower nudge from Ford Racing as well as adjustable SVT shocks and struts, HMPerformance adjustable sway bars, lowering springs and an oil cooler. A set of Ford Racing mufflers and a Ford Racing x-pipe give the car a little more bark, while the one-off 19-inch wheels add some flash to the mix. Holman & Moody will produce just 500 examples, and each one will come with a one-year membership to the SVT Owner's Association. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Holman & Moody 50th Anniversary TdF Mustang is a blast from the past

Holman & Moody 50th Anniversary TdF Mustang is a blast from the past originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ford mustangfordford mustangholman and moody 2014 ford mustangholman and moody mustangholman-moodymustangsemasema 2012Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20368006/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/01/holman-and-moody-50th-anniversary-tdf-mustang-sema-2012/20368006/article-detail.xml 20368006 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/holman-moody-tdf-mustang-sema_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/holman-moody-tdf-mustang-sema.jpg <![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/10/project-ugly-horse-part-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/10/project-ugly-horse-part-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/10/project-ugly-horse-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Meet the Horse



I have always hated this car.

Not the Ford Mustang, mind you, nor the ubiquitous Fox body, but this specific car. It's not because it came from the factory cursed with a heavy and under-powered 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or an entirely worthless four-speed automatic gearbox. No, I hated this car because once, while I was off pretending to pay attention at college, my father traded two whole International Scout II trucks, their titles and a scad load of new old stock parts for this: a secretary special hatchback Mustang. It made me ill.

Sorry, son. I've sold you to a brace of machete-wielding Somali pirates.

As a vested devotee of all things International Harvester, this was a sin of inconceivable magnitude. I would have been less crushed if he had sat me down, looked me square in the eye and told me in his most earnest and paternal tones that he spent his working days feeding laundry baskets of kittens to a wood chipper instead of wielding Autocad in a cubical as a structural engineer. Or that, "Sorry, son. I've sold you to a brace of machete-wielding Somali pirates to pay off a blood oath."

Confusion. Anger. The betrayal was made all the more painful by the news that the new owner of the two IH bruisers had simply thrown the stack of brand-new 345 heads into the back and hauled the Scouts straight to the crusher for scrap. The locals say you can still hear my teenage screams rolling around the darkened hills of Virginia on a still night.

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part 1

Project Ugly Horse: Part 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustang lxfeaturedford mustangfox bodyfoxbodymustangmustang lxproject ugly horseugly horseugly horse mustangWed, 10 Oct 2012 15:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20341992/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/10/project-ugly-horse-part-1/20341992/article-detail.xml 20341992 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/day-of-purchase-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/day-of-purchase-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Mustang Boss 302 checks into Jay Leno's Garage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ford-mustang-boss-302-checks-into-jay-lenos-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ford-mustang-boss-302-checks-into-jay-lenos-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/09/ford-mustang-boss-302-checks-into-jay-lenos-garage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jay Leno's Garage 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Dave Pericak, chief engineer behind the Ford Mustang, recently stopped by Jay Leno's Garage to give the TV personality a personal tour of the 2013 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. It's no secret that Leno has a soft spot for Ford products. He owns a boatload of high-performance Blue Oval machines, including a Ford GT and a wicked Shogun. So, what does he think of the new Boss? Leno seems impressed with the machine, especially when it comes to the balance of horsepower and overall performance, calling the Boss 302 Laguna Seca the most sports car of all the Mustang variants.

Leno even goes so far as to say he'd rather have this machine over the 662-horsepower Shelby GT500. Having driven both, we're inclined to agree with the comic. You can take a look at the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage below.

Continue reading Ford Mustang Boss 302 checks into Jay Leno's Garage

Ford Mustang Boss 302 checks into Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford mustang2013 ford mustang boss 302 laguna secaboss 302fordford mustangjay lenojay lenos garagelaguna secamustangmustang boss 302mustang boss 302 laguna secaTue, 09 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20345071/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/09/ford-mustang-boss-302-checks-into-jay-lenos-garage/20345071/article-detail.xml 20345071 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/jay-lenos-garage-boss-302-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/jay-lenos-garage-boss-302-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Mustang headed to Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-mustang-headed-to-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-mustang-headed-to-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/06/ford-mustang-headed-to-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford Mustang in Europe Video

We've known for sometime now that Europeans love the Ford Mustang. Gray market importers have made plenty of cash by shipping the ponies from the United States to the EU for years, but now it looks as if buyers will be able to sink their teeth into brand-new, factory-perfect examples of the next-generation Mustang straight from Ford.

Ford Europe has announced that the Mustang is officially coming to the old country via a quick, 30-second YouTube video. The launch is part of a 15-model offensive by the Blue Oval in the EU, according to NPR, and the company projects the new sheetmetal should help the brand boost its sales by 20 percent across the continent.

We'll have more information for you soon. Stay tuned. In the interim, take a look at the Mustang announcement video below. You'll want to turn up the volume for this one.

Continue reading Ford Mustang headed to Europe

Ford Mustang headed to Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europefordford europeford mustangford mustang europemustangmustang europeThu, 06 Sep 2012 10:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20317587/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/06/ford-mustang-headed-to-europe/20317587/article-detail.xml 20317587 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mustang-europe-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mustang-europe-628.jpg -1 2