P
PNewitt
Guest
Yesterday was the kick-off day for the 2005 Mustang. 25,000 pre-orders have already been made. I know that there are a lot of people that will either love or hate this new Mustang. This isn't about that, because in the coming months (and years) whatever it is, or will be, has yet to prove itself.
There is something that needs to be said about why your 1968 1/2 Mustang GT/California Special is truly "special". What you have is a solid piece of Detriot iron assembled in San Jose, California, with Shelby fiberglass, created by the great minds of Ford and Shelby engineering and marketing... There is so much value in having something as real, and with as much heritage and race history as your Mustang. It's the son of the GT-40 that won Le Mans in 1966 (1,2,3,5), and a limited edition the of the 1964-68 Mustang first generation marque-- the REAL Mustangs.
Your Mustang could have had a 325hp 390, , or a 400+ hp 428CJ--a FE big block that you'll never see produced again. Your Mustang is easier to repair, and you can determine what to fix--easily. No on-board computers, no layers of plastic, nor complicated electronics to wade through. Note that the '05 chose to "copy" the '67-68 bodylines, and that even the '68 Bullitt Mustang became a limited edition this past year. Those are marketing ideas, and they all harken back to what we already have--and have known for so long--the absolute original.
Look at what has happened to everything "Mustang" from 1974-1990+. Where are they now? The attrition rate for late model Mustangs is a lot higher than the '64-73 rate. That is because cars today are marketed to be replaced in 2-3 years. The auto industry doesn't want you to hold on to anything for too long, much less 35 years! (which is strange, because they like to fall back on that heritage to sell you a new car).
Yes, we have upper control bushing problems, and some people DO get fuel cells. But there is something about the "older" Mustangs that can't be duplicated. You can power-slide your Mustang--"steer with your gas pedal" (you know what I mean). The older Mustang suspension and steering is second nature to you by now. There is a brute sense of power that is strong, and you can feel--and hear--the simplicity and direct nature of the old mare! You can slam down to third, and hear that rumble against the median wall as you bring up the rpm's up and fly from 55 to 70.
It's these things that I want to remind you of. Detroit wants you to get what's new, just as they want you to forget the past. They want you to savor those things from the past in their new car. But--why? You already own the past. Don't lose your sense of the original heritage, the original designers of 1965 that made your '68 look so great (your car is what they wanted for '65, but couldn't make). Remember all those great folks at Shelby that made cool cars like Little Red, or the Green Hornet. Remember how the Tasca Ford '68 Mustang 428CJ put fear into Chevy! Don't forget how the car culture back then in California was all about looks and power.
Remember where you came from. The next time you turn the key, know that you are driving a living history.
You own a true classic. An original. You have what late model Mustangers may not admit, but know in their heart, wish was the real thing. It's just a matter of looking at it in perspective. Nothing is lost, and nothing can overshadow 1968. It was those early, GREAT years that set the pace since April '64.
They say that you can't go home again.
2005 isn't going home, it's just an MTV version of 1968.
Remember this in about 5-10 years when the these late model cars have moved on, and our '68's are celebrating 45 years.
Paul M. Newitt
GT/CS Registrar.
There is something that needs to be said about why your 1968 1/2 Mustang GT/California Special is truly "special". What you have is a solid piece of Detriot iron assembled in San Jose, California, with Shelby fiberglass, created by the great minds of Ford and Shelby engineering and marketing... There is so much value in having something as real, and with as much heritage and race history as your Mustang. It's the son of the GT-40 that won Le Mans in 1966 (1,2,3,5), and a limited edition the of the 1964-68 Mustang first generation marque-- the REAL Mustangs.
Your Mustang could have had a 325hp 390, , or a 400+ hp 428CJ--a FE big block that you'll never see produced again. Your Mustang is easier to repair, and you can determine what to fix--easily. No on-board computers, no layers of plastic, nor complicated electronics to wade through. Note that the '05 chose to "copy" the '67-68 bodylines, and that even the '68 Bullitt Mustang became a limited edition this past year. Those are marketing ideas, and they all harken back to what we already have--and have known for so long--the absolute original.
Look at what has happened to everything "Mustang" from 1974-1990+. Where are they now? The attrition rate for late model Mustangs is a lot higher than the '64-73 rate. That is because cars today are marketed to be replaced in 2-3 years. The auto industry doesn't want you to hold on to anything for too long, much less 35 years! (which is strange, because they like to fall back on that heritage to sell you a new car).
Yes, we have upper control bushing problems, and some people DO get fuel cells. But there is something about the "older" Mustangs that can't be duplicated. You can power-slide your Mustang--"steer with your gas pedal" (you know what I mean). The older Mustang suspension and steering is second nature to you by now. There is a brute sense of power that is strong, and you can feel--and hear--the simplicity and direct nature of the old mare! You can slam down to third, and hear that rumble against the median wall as you bring up the rpm's up and fly from 55 to 70.
It's these things that I want to remind you of. Detroit wants you to get what's new, just as they want you to forget the past. They want you to savor those things from the past in their new car. But--why? You already own the past. Don't lose your sense of the original heritage, the original designers of 1965 that made your '68 look so great (your car is what they wanted for '65, but couldn't make). Remember all those great folks at Shelby that made cool cars like Little Red, or the Green Hornet. Remember how the Tasca Ford '68 Mustang 428CJ put fear into Chevy! Don't forget how the car culture back then in California was all about looks and power.
Remember where you came from. The next time you turn the key, know that you are driving a living history.
You own a true classic. An original. You have what late model Mustangers may not admit, but know in their heart, wish was the real thing. It's just a matter of looking at it in perspective. Nothing is lost, and nothing can overshadow 1968. It was those early, GREAT years that set the pace since April '64.
They say that you can't go home again.
2005 isn't going home, it's just an MTV version of 1968.
Remember this in about 5-10 years when the these late model cars have moved on, and our '68's are celebrating 45 years.
Paul M. Newitt
GT/CS Registrar.