Ford Mustang Mach 1 was a performance model of the Ford Mustang that Ford produced beginning in 1969. The original production run of the Mach 1 ended in 1979 because theMustang II coupe was being phased out in favor of newer Mustangs on the Fox bodyplatform
The Mach 1 returned in 2003 as a high performance version of the Mustang. The Mach 1 wasdiscontinued again after the 2004 model year as the SN-95 platform was replaced by the newer S197 platform for the 2005 model year.
The name "mach 1" as used by Ford was originally introduced in 1959 on a concept "Levacar" originally shown in the Ford Rotunda. This concept "vehicle" utilized a cushion of air as propulsion on a circular dais. This concept vehicle was orange and white.
MACH 1 INTRO
The Ford Mustang was introduced in 1964 as a sporty "pony car" to attract younger buyers into Ford products. After only a few short years of development, Ford saw the need to create performance Mustangs to compete with GM and their release of the Chevrolet Camaro andPontiac Firebird. While several performance options had existed in the form of factory 289's (from the '65s on) & factory FE engines (new for 1967 with the S-Code Engine), the vast majority of Ford Mustang's performance mantle was carried by cars modified by the legendary Carroll Shelby. 1969 was the benchmark year for Ford Mustang in its proliferation of performance names and engines. No less than 6 factory performance Mustang models were available (Boss 302, 429, Shelby GT350, GT500 and the Mach 1). Additionally, 9 variations of V-8s were available in the '69-'70 cars.
REGENERATION OF MACH 1 IN 2004
During the 1990s, the preeminent performance Mustang was the SVT Cobra. Following the departure of the Fox chassis in 1993 and the arrival of the SN-95 in 1994, Ford also sought to eliminate the 302. (Now marketed as 5.0 Liters; although 302 CID is closer to 4.9 L ) Drawing on its newly developed OHC architecture engines known as the Modular, SVT created the 1996 and up Cobra around several variations of the 32 valve, all aluminium 4.6 liter (281 CID) V-8. Below the SVT in performance was only the GT, reintroduced in 1982 with the 302 HO "5.0", later turning to the 16–valve SOHC V-8 in 1996. While still well behind GM competition in acceleration (the base Camaro Z-28 engine from 1993 and up made 275 hp (205 kW) and rose to 305 hp (227 kW) in 1998), the sales on the new SN-95 style cars skyrocketed and by 2002 Ford Mustang sales topped both Firebird and Camaro sales combined. With GM's withdrawal from the "Pony Car wars" in 2002, Ford had a free hand at the whole market but nonetheless created what was arguably the fastest stock Mustang up to that point in time with the 2003-2004 SVT Cobra. However, concerns over a price gap between the GT and Cobra, as well as interest in keeping sales up before the release of the all new 2005 S197 Mustang prompted the creation of two unique mid-range performance models: The 2001 Bullitt GT and the 2003 and 2004 Mach 1 both designed by Scott Hoag.
2004 saw only minor cosmetic changes to the Mach 1. 2004 Mach 1s can be identified by bare aluminium finished valve covers, as opposed to the 2003's black finished covers. Outside, 2004 Mach 1's wear 40th anniversary tags ahead of the doors while the 2003 has the traditional Mustang Running Pony and Tri-Color bar. The lone interior change was the deletion of the overhead "cargo net" mounted on the headliner. Despite pre-production rumors, the horsepower and torque ratings were not increased in 2004. At 305 hp (228 kW) and 320 lbf·ft (430 N·m), many observers believed the motors to be underrated. Chassis dynomometers typically hold stock 2003 and 2004 cars at 275-285 rwhp and 295-305 rwtrq (SAE). With a drivetrain loss of 15% this equates to 323–335 hp and 345–360 lbf·ft (465–490 N·m) of torque.
Unlike many limited edition cars, 2003 Mach 1 owners had a variety of stand out colors from which to choose. To these, two new colors were added for 2004. In addition to Black, Dark Shadow Grey Metallic, Torch Red, Zinc Yellow (2003 Only), Oxford White and the Mach 1 only Azure Blue, Competition Orange and Screaming Yellow were added as color options.
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