For those that weren't there it may seem hard to believe, but the dealer release of the first Mustang REALLY brought the crowds into the dealerships. I went down to Canoga Park Ford that fateful day, and left without seeing much because the crowd around the car was so thick. A few days later it was much easier.
When I rotated back from the jungles in late '68 I got quite the surprise. My 50ish mother had traded her '61 Falcon for a Tan '67 2+2 A code automatic. Fun car to drive.............til she totaled it!
Fast forward to 2003 when the first auto show prototypes of the current version were revealed..........I fell in love (or was it lust?) immediately. At the 2004 SEMA show they had it on a rotating platform and I must have stood there for at least 1/2 an hour soaking in every line (even got annoyed at the hot model when she would block my sight line). The styling ques that called back to the '67-70 models were quite clear. You knew who the target market was. The hook was set. 2005 stepped up to a Saleen modified model.........what a joy!
Following Roger's link I see that Ford is moving on..........or more correctly, time has moved on, and while they're probably shooting at the same demographic window, those of us in that range 10 years ago, have fallen out of the parameters. That said, I like it! Somewhat like the Porsche designers have done over the years, they've done a nice job of updating styling without gutting the traditional form. The quarters have sort of a modern Camaro vibe to them, but without the too high side delivery.
Side note: I thought Mike would have to come to the defense of his beloved MII, gotta appreciate your loyalty bud. But I know you know that many of us think of those as Pintos in drag.......................sorry.:o
