Keepin' it Orginal

I have to admit, I sometimes have feelings of guilt. Guilt about changing the color of the interior in my Mustang. I know this sounds a little funny, but I've always been split on the restore/modify fence. I love some original restored cars, even those with chalk marks on the firewall. But part of me also loves cars that are modified, though I prefer the simple look without too many body mods.

My thinking is that if you don't do anything permanent to harm the car (i.e., anything that can be changed back to normal without hacking anything up) then you're ok. I just prefer an interior color other than blue. Rather than spend an exhorbitant amount of money on replacing every interior piece or buying some orignal color interior paint, I just decided to go ahead and change the color to grey.

This isn't really a big deal for most Fox Body Mustang Enthusiasts. Doing 5 lug swaps, changing engines and trannys, etc. is no big deal. Have often do you see completely restored 5.0's that are completely original? But as cars become rare and prices rise, it will be inevitable. Just look at all the orginal 64 1/2 and up stangs that go for big money now. They experienced a similar phenomena as they were modified heavily and raced in their heydey.

I for one feel like I should build my car however I desire. I bought it to (perhaps) keep it forever and build it the way I like. I want to be able to enjoy the car and be happy with it. And you should too, because that's what this hobby is all about.

Is the V-8 Mustang doomed?

Recently I read a stunning article in Motor Trend with the appropriate title "Future Shock" Apparently Ford is seriously considering placing a twin turbo V-6 in the upcoming, slightly refreshed model. Thankfully, Ford is going to sell these alongside the V-8 models if this does happen. However, the problem is that most automakers are feeling the crunch to meet the 35mpg CAFE regulations by the year 2020. You can't blame American automakers for following trends, but it sure is putting the pinch on them. Americans have been eating up trucks and SUV's for years now. A sudden shift in oil prices is quickly putting a stop to this.

Now Ford is even considering bringing back a mid size truck that is tentatively named the "F100," much like in the old days except it was once a base model. You better believe that the current downsizing trends are only just the beginning. Chevy is also comtemplating bringing one of it's new ultra small compacts to the U.S., one that was previously pegged only for European consumption. American automakers have been through all of this before, however, and I'm confident they can eventually work their way through our poor economic situation.

The real question is, will consumers buy a twin turbo V-6 Mustang? Or more appropriately, is there a niche for it? I for one think it's a great idea and would welcome it to the stable. But would I buy one? Probrably not. Like most muscle car fans I can't see myself driving anything less than a V-8. I understand that the 6 will make as much or more power for the same price. It's just a personal preference.

I do believe that there is a market for this car. Just look at what happened with the Nissan Skyline. Instant cult hit. The only thing standing in it's way is that most Mustangs are sold with the base V-6 anyway (read: rental car, female shopper). It's just unfortunately a way of life, but without these sales the car would probrably have died many years ago. So anything to keep it around is worth a shot in my book.

The other great news is that Ford is considering bringing back the 5.0 in a much evolved form. This engine is rumored to replace the 4.6 and may appear in several special edition Mustangs (Boss 302 anyone?). The Shelby Cobra will also continue on with the new model in 2010. I for one applaud these moves. The 70' Boss 302 is my favorite car of all time, and I love the Shelby.

Hopefully they'll still be producing them when I one day can afford one....

http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/112_0803_2010_ford_mustang/index.html

Investment?

One thing that amazes me is the ever growing price tag for classic muscle cars. I watch Barrett Jackson every year with total awe. I regularly peruse eBay looking at some old hunk of steel that needs an unreal amount of work going for thousands of dollars, and restored cars going to hundreds of thousands of dollars. I remember around fifteen years ago my dad and I looked at a 1967 Mustang 2 + 2 fastback. It was a complete rolling car lacking only an engine, transmission, and front seats. The body was in great shape. Selling price? $1000! I still kick myself to this day for not figuring out a way to either get it myself or talking my dad into purchasing it. These stories can go on and on. My favorite thing to do growing up was look at cars. There were so many great deals back then. My dad likes to go on about all the cars he owned growing up. Everything from a 70 Mercury Cougar Eliminator to a 57 Chevy. Unreal cars he bought for peanuts compared to today's money.

One thing I always wonder is, will fox body mustangs ever bring big money? Sure, certain models already do. The amazing thing to me is how much these cars still bring. Since there certainly is not a lack of these cars to buy, one can only assume that it relates to their sheer popularity. It reminds me of a story my dad likes to tell. Back in the 1960's, he wanted a Thunderbird. He looked around and priced them, but they were just too much money. He found a 57 Corvette in town for a deal ($1000). So that's what he got. Kind of a similar car, much less investment. The funny thing is that he still owns this car and is currently restoring it.

Back when I was in high school I had a similar experience. I wanted a Mustang. They were too expensive. I ended up getting an 87 Camaro (I know, I know). Funny how in both cases, the Fords were more coveted and expensive!

I've recently noticed that original, low mileage fox bodies are going for big bucks. Seems like people in my age range are settling into higher paying jobs or are having a mid life crisis and trying to relive their youth. To me this is the same phenomena that occurred with the muscle car boom. One can only imagine the same thing happening to our cars. Just like the original Mustang, even though the fox body was produced in big numbers, many of them have been or are currently being wrecked or raced into submission.