What is it?
2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1
What's special about it?
While GM gets ready to retire the Camaro and Firebird, Ford rolls out yet another special version of the Mustang. The Mach 1 is the latest heritage Mustang to be released by the blue oval boys, following the 2001 Bullitt GT, which harkened back to the 1968 GT fastback.
The new Mach incorporates several styling cues from the original 1969 model, such as a functional "shaker" hood scoop and an updated version of the classic "Magnum 500" five-spoke wheels. The retro theme continues inside the cabin, where the "comfort weave" leather seats recall the pattern on the old Mach 1's vinyl buckets. As with the '01 Bullitt, aluminum is used for the shifter and pedals and the instrument dials have a nostalgic font design.
Lest you think the Mach 1 is just an appearance package, worry not. Below the shaker will be a four-cam 32-valve 4.6-liter V8 whose output is estimated at "300+" horsepower and "300+" pound-feet of torque. This is not just last year's Cobra motor dropped into the Mach 1; new cylinder heads and different cams give up some high-rpm power but enhance low-end tire-spinning torque. Either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic is mated to the potent V8.
As with the Bullitt, key suspension modifications ensure that this is not a one-trick pony. Tokico shocks, beefy stabilizers bars, Brembo brakes and subframe connectors allow the Mach 1 to change direction like a champion quarter horse.
Why should you care?
Although we prefer the looks of the original 1969 and 1970 Mach 1s to this latest version, there's no denying the fact that the '03 would run circles around its forebears. -- John DiPietro
2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1
What's special about it?
While GM gets ready to retire the Camaro and Firebird, Ford rolls out yet another special version of the Mustang. The Mach 1 is the latest heritage Mustang to be released by the blue oval boys, following the 2001 Bullitt GT, which harkened back to the 1968 GT fastback.
The new Mach incorporates several styling cues from the original 1969 model, such as a functional "shaker" hood scoop and an updated version of the classic "Magnum 500" five-spoke wheels. The retro theme continues inside the cabin, where the "comfort weave" leather seats recall the pattern on the old Mach 1's vinyl buckets. As with the '01 Bullitt, aluminum is used for the shifter and pedals and the instrument dials have a nostalgic font design.
Lest you think the Mach 1 is just an appearance package, worry not. Below the shaker will be a four-cam 32-valve 4.6-liter V8 whose output is estimated at "300+" horsepower and "300+" pound-feet of torque. This is not just last year's Cobra motor dropped into the Mach 1; new cylinder heads and different cams give up some high-rpm power but enhance low-end tire-spinning torque. Either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic is mated to the potent V8.
As with the Bullitt, key suspension modifications ensure that this is not a one-trick pony. Tokico shocks, beefy stabilizers bars, Brembo brakes and subframe connectors allow the Mach 1 to change direction like a champion quarter horse.
Why should you care?
Although we prefer the looks of the original 1969 and 1970 Mach 1s to this latest version, there's no denying the fact that the '03 would run circles around its forebears. -- John DiPietro
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