Ford Mustang History
Ford Mustang History and Development 1995 - 1997
Ford Mustang History and Development 1995 - Mustang GT and GTS
Mustangs are one of the world’s most recognized and purchased vehicles. Their popularity has never been questioned and it is hardly uncommon to come across a person who says that they want to either own a Mustang or have owned a Mustang. Mustangs are usually equated with a sporty and virile lifestyle-the epitomes of "hotness" as it were. While the history of the Ford Mustang spans some forty odd years, this article will focus primarily on the years 1995.
In 1995, a one-year only model, which was commonly called the Mustang GTS, was introduced. The Mustang GTS was considered by experts to be a "stripped down" version of the popular Mustang GT. It continued to feature the performance aspects of the Mustang GT but had only the smallest number of non-performance-based parts. This model included removing Mustang GT options like the leather seating, fog lights, a compact disc player, and power accessories. The vehicle was considered by many to be a "throw back" to the Mustang LXs of the pre-SN-95 time.
Ford Mustang History and Development 1996 - SVT Cobra
In 1996, the revered 302 cubic inch (which was marketed as 5.0 liter) Windsor engine was replaced by a 215-horse power (160 kW), 4.6-liter single overhead camshaft "Modular" V8 engine that had two valves for each cylinder. It had originally been intended as part of Ford’s plan to "modernize" its usual variety of engines and was originally introduced as part of the very popular Lincoln Town Car.
The Cobra version of this vehicle came with a 305-horse power (227 kW and extremely high revving which made it even more fun to drive), 32-valve dual overhead camshaft 4.6 liter V8. The Cobra’s block, which was cast by Teksid of Italy, was made of aluminum and cross-bolted block. The heads featured split intake ports and had four valves for each cylinder.
To make up for the response to low end response typically associated with these kind of cylinder heads, SVT also put an intake manifold with dual runners on the Cobra. Because the short runner secondaries did not open up until they reached 3250 rpm, the early modular Cobras were much more responsive when driven at low speeds.
1997 Ford Mustang the Most Modern Mustang Ever
Touted as the most modern Mustang ever, the 1997 model boasted a modern overhead cam V-8 and the most current safety features. This did not seem to help sales, though, as they continued to slip from a gradual downward slide from 1996. In 1997, they slipped 20 percent from the previous year to 108,344. Cobra sales volume, though, remained steady and relatively unchanged.
With a five speed T-45 manual tranny or an AOD-E automatic, the 4.6-liter engine that was dropped in the GT was capable of reaching torque at roughly 4000rpm. Add to that the ability for standard 2.73 gears on the rear axle to be upgraded to 3.08 or 3.27 and a sporty dual exhaust; Mustang fans were getting just what they had wanted.
The interior has some pretty sweet offerings as well with a choice of leather or upgraded cloth. However, only the Cobra and GT offered the side reinforcements on the seats. Other Mustang models did not. The 15-inch rims, single exhaust tip, and the word "Mustang" printed across the bumper remained from previous model years.
Ford was tweaking and testing the waters, offering buyers what they craved, but keeping much of the car the same. Across the board, Mustang buyers were offered a variety of choices from seats to trannys to engines. Ford was responding to the buyers’ demands, but would it be enough?
