74 vert

http://autos.msn.com/vip/futuremodel...=Image&src=vip

Sorry to say, but it looks like Ford is pulling ahead of chevy in the retro look sports car market. Will Chevy answer? At least we have our genuine classics in our garages. :jester $150,000 worth of mods would do wonders for a C3.

gdh

They have done a great job on both cars, I guess GM is more concerned with improving its bottom line than producing another line of specialty cars like the GT40. That new Mustang should really turn the Mustang's sales around. I personally love the looks, put a 351 Cleavland bb in there or larger and they will have a great performer to go with its looks.

Shark Racer

What's that third car pictured? That white convertible?

VERY SEXY. Ford's got a sure hit with that one. :jester

-Steve

MotorHead

There are a lot of really great looking/performing cars out on the market right now however I see a problem. Who the heil can afford these cars ? Most people will have to make do with Cavaliers and Civics as their "sports" cars :D


[Modified by MotorHead, 3:39 PM 10/12/2003]

LFZ

they were ugly in the past, and even uglier now. those cars just don't do it for me, and i agree....not sexy. probably get more tail with a vette. :yesnod:

DJ Dep

#1 Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. And judging from Ford's past performance, Chevy will be eyeing them from BEHIND. Reference: AC Cobra and GT350R. :smash: :smash:

#2 A 351 is NOT a "BB". It's a small block. Ford hasn't installed big block in a car for AGES. Not even sure they still make one. Last one I remember was the 460 and those were in trucks.

#3 $150,000...they gotta be KIDDING!!!! This car will end up like the Dodge Viper...an investment opportunity for a RUB. Don't expect to see these cruising around in McDonalds.

Dep



[Modified by Dep, 5:11 AM 10/13/2003]

gdh

351 Windsor was the sb with the Cleveland 351 being a bb when driving both you could feel the vast difference at least the 70 Mustang vert with the Cleve was a blast to drive, much faster than my existing 383 stoker. It was hard keeping that thing under the city speed limit with it just idling (had an auto). Gas mileage was terrible but the fun factor was amazing, I think that it was one of the best engines that Ford ever built.

DJ Dep

gdh: See my PM to you. 351 Cleveland AND Windsor were BOTH smallblocks. Big blocks were 390, 427, 428, 429, 429Boss. The Cleveland was a different FAMILY from the Windsor, but was never considered a big block....no matter how nice they "felt" ;)

Dep

gdh

Yup, I stand corrected, should have known better than to listen to my neighbour who is a Cougar fanatic. He couldn't explain to me how the Clev was a bb and the Windsor wasn't but swore up and down that it was. Now I got some ammo to go back to him with, but we're on our way out the door for a 4 hour top down cruise first.
Thanks Dep, you made my day, and his winter miserable. :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

SmokedTires

Those 2 models are true winners IMO. I usually don't care for the looks of Ford, especially a lot of the older models, but these 2 have it in the looks department :yesnod: . Now if only :chevy would put something as attractive on the market besides a $40k mini pickup :rolleyes:

Mack

I don't consider the GT to be retro styling. It's just as good looking today as it was in the 60's. When I grow up, I'm gonna have me one. :yesnod: The new Mustang, OTOH, looks retro to me. It's O.K., but not great.

corvettemaster

:iagree: :rofl:

BUGGSY1970

At $150K I don't expect that Ford is going to be selling many of these. Anyone who has $150K to spend on a sports car will in all likelyhood buy one that will really turn heads like a Ferrari , Lomborgini, Lotus, or some other exotic even if it is used most people won't know the difference between a 1999 and a 2004.

As far as performance is concerned I will bet that a C6 at 60K will give the GT a run for its money at about 1/3 the price. It may be a sharp looking car but at that price it is a loser. Too little car for too much money.

DJ Dep

BUGGSY1970: Don't be so sure that the new GT40 from Ford WON'T be a Vette killer. At least, don't be surprised if there is a RACE version that blows away Vettes at the track. If Ford REALLY gets into racing again in a big way like they did when they won the manufacturer's championship back in the 60s' (causing Ferrari to withdraw from competition), the Z06 will be easy pickens for it. Turning heads is one thing, snapping them off with massive power is something else :lol:
The Shelby GT350R had NO problem beating a Corvette. And that was a converted "secretary's car", using Carrol Shelby's description of the 1965 Mustang. :)

Dep


[Modified by Dep, 8:38 PM 10/13/2003]

The_Dude

I think the production numbers show that Ford knows very well that it won't be a big seller.
Have you evaluated this car in person? There are many cars priced higher than this one. What makes them worth it and this one not? Is any car worth that kind of money?

Desertdawg

The GT40 is basically a full blown race car with a place for a licenses plate.
Very well balanced front to rear and with a mid engine, traction is at a premium.
Would I buy one, Oh Hell Yeah.

The mustang is a pretty good retro job. looks mean without looking to futuristic.
Would I buy one, Maybe for the kids.

1978Vette

We already know the mustang will look nothing like the concept
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=658511

more like this

Scooter70

One word... exclusivity.
They could sell 1000 cars (regardless of the price) with the current demand. That's the point of a halo car. Only the richest of the rich (with dealership connections) can get them.

Bobchad

Reminds me of the old Pantera.

LemansBlue68

Ford will produce 4500 of the GT. At least that's what the plan is now. After that, the GT will go away again. I don't plan on ever being able to afford one but it will make a good image car for them.

It's understandable how the 351C may be confused for a big block. The valve arrangement for the 351 Cleveland small blocks is "porcupine" like the big block Chevy. The 4V 351C cylinder had HUGE intake ports so they could breathe quite well at high RPM. There was also a tall deck version of the Cleveland that could possibly be considered "Big block league". It was 400 ci. They also had a 351M which was 351ci but built with the tall deck block. The 400/351M were mostly smog motors that were installed in trucks and large family cars. Not very performance worthy.