FORD

THE PROTOTYPE THAT ADVANCED THE FORD MUSTANG 5th GENERATION

This attractive prototype was one of the stars of the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, which is not surprising given the importance that the Ford Mustang has on the North American market. At that time it was revealed with the intention of advancing the new generation of Ford's pony car, one of the most successful of the model thanks to its marked retro style design, which takes inspiration from the first and most valuable generation of the model. This prototype of the salon was what advanced the lines and features that were later used in the production version.



The success of the fifth generation Mustang was the basis for the development of the current generation, the Mustang S550, developed specifically to be the first true global Mustang in history and whose success even surpassed that of its predecessor, as it quickly became the most sporting sport sold in numerous international markets, including the important European.
That is why, in addition to the original Mustang of the 60s, we can say that the fifth and sixth generation are the most important in the history of the model. At least with regard to sales, although we can also point out the enormous importance that it had in terms of image for the brand in several markets and not only in the North American. And it all started with the prototype that appears in these images.



The relationship between this concept and the production version of the Mustang S197 (5th generation code) is more than evident. Not only does it have the same features, they also show the same sizes and proportions that were used later in the production model. This saloon prototype seems to have been assembled with the body panels of a standard model, although some features and elements of the most curious can also be found.
As a convertible version, it has an attractive and stylized fixed safety arch that the production version never built. For the rest, most of the strokes belong to the definitive version, but with numerous unique design details, as is the case of the exhaust vents integrated in the rear bumper, the side air intakes and the completely smooth and flat rear, finished off. with rectangular lanterns that resemble the definitive ones.



The cabin is very attractive and sporty, although its design is very minimalist. The panel has very square and solid shapes with a few inlaid clocks and a single row of controls, while the competition-designed seats appear with seat belts and covered with the same red leather that covers almost the entire cabin and the panel . The use of plain aluminum in various elements and surfaces is particularly noteworthy, as is the case with door frames and the entire upper surface of the instrument panel.





Probably the most striking feature of this attractive concept is its true nature and origin, which have been kept secret for several years. Because under the body panels we don't really find a Mustang, but a Ford Thunderbird. The team responsible for the construction of this prototype used a cut-out Ford T-Bird of the time, so that except for the Brembo brake system, under the plates we find the chassis and mechanics configuration of an 11 th generation Thunderbird.


Right in the photo, Henry Ford's binesto and key company person

This explains the use of a 3.9-liter V8 engine instead of the usual 4.6-liter Mustang V8. Images appear in details of the model, both from the outside and from the inside, and the latter reveal areas and finishes that, as a general rule, brands generally do not show when presenting a concept of this type.
In the image where the trunk lid appears open, we can see several disordered elements whose position is evidently provisional. The prototype is functional, but it was not designed to show its interiors, which is why many technical elements appear to be seemingly disordered and installed in any way, without any type of integration. The image showing the engine compartment offers the same feeling, as it reveals the mechanics of the Thunderbird, but all elements appear in black and many of them offer a very poor appearance.



Unmistakable symptom that these elements and their aesthetics were not a priority for the people responsible for the manufacture of this piece.
After the presentation of the prototype at the Detroit Motor Show 2003, this model was kept by the brand until 2009, when it was auctioned and passed to private hands. Since then, this play has only been seen in public on countless occasions. It is now being auctioned online by Barrett-Jackson, so that unless it is acquired by an institution or museum, that unique piece will likely disappear from the public eye again.



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