GT500/Mach 1 - what if......

There are rumours that the new "GT500" won't actually be called a "GT500". There have also been rumours, for a loooooong time, that the Mach 1 will be coming back, too.

What would you think if the Mach 1 was actually the new "GT500".......assuming it features a CPC 5.2 Supercharged V8?

Me? Call me greedy, but I want a n/a 5.2 CPC V8 in a Mach 1, and if the supercharged superStang isn't a GT500, then call it Cobra.......effectively a repeat of the '03/'04 Mach 1 and Terminator Cobras. That, for me, would be a fine pair.

But, if we only get one, and it's a 5.2 CPC supercharged V8 and they call it Mach 1......would that bother you?

mvfjet said:

It would bother the badge whores who just want to say Shelby Shelby Shelby Shelby. Either way us normal people won't be able to get one.

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If the GT350 has dealer markups pushing it into 90k in some places. I can imaged a Mustang with a CPC 5.2 Supercharged V8 will be well over a 100k brand new at the dealership.

Wouldn't bother me at all, even though I most likely couldn't afford one but if it had a glass roof I'd find a way to.

I'd want the Mach 1 to be naturally aspirated but my gut tells me its gonna replace the GT500 name as the top dog Mustang. Rumor's have said the next halo stang will live up to its name....Mach 1 sounds plenty fast

It wouldn't bother me one bit. What's in a name? Ever hear of the boy called Sue? Is it a Ford Mustang? Does it go fast?

If so, then Let it rip tater chip! Call it the Mustang Monkey for all I care.
:ford:

I'm not too keen on it. What would make more sense to me is to essentially rebadge the GT-350 to the Mach 1 as the NA car above the GT, leave the GT-350R alone, and then have some boosted motor (supercharged 5.2 or the 3.5HO from the Raptor/GT) for the GT-500.

I am not so sure the Mach 1 will actually come into fruition. I mean, isn't the GT350 in it's slot?

scrubber3 said:

I am not so sure the Mach 1 will actually come into fruition. I mean, isn't the GT350 in it's slot?

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Not really. The original Mach 1 was a performance package, but given how broadly it could be configured, it really amounted to a nice "premium" interior and exterior options package, which could have a 351W all the way up to a 428/429 SCJ. The SN95 version of the Mach 1 was a slight performance upgrade, but again, same engine (different tuning and Shaker hood).

The GT350 really fits the Boss 302's slot (previously they were offered at the same time), as a road racer. The GT500 is the big boulevard cruiser.

JR

jacknifetoaswan said:

The SN95 version of the Mach 1 was a slight performance upgrade, but again, same engine (different tuning and Shaker hood).

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That's underselling the SN95 Mach 1, somewhat. The GT sported a 2v 260hp V8 whilst the Mach 1 used the 4v 305hp V8

At one time, there could have been a Drag Pack type option from Ford. I think the "Cobra Jet" supercharger program went away last year.

Once the supercharged engine took a back seat, the PDI program was accelerated. I believe that a TVS supercharger interferes with Ford's Port Direct Injection system. Specifically, the "Port" Injection side isn't the typical Tune Port of old. If Ford's PDI design is not root-type supercharger friendly, the it is obvious why one isn't used.

Which brings us to Turbo design and if a Hot V is better overall just because of that feature.

Doesn't matter - a classic is only a classic ONCE.

With that in mind, the current day badge whores who will pay $50k over invoice won't see any "investment" value until year 3064 - and even so, the Classic will still be worth 50x more by then.

I think people get too wrapped up with names and trying to "rank" them as if a certain derivative architecture isn't worthy or doesn't make sense. As if Mach 1, Cobra, GT350, GT390, GT500, GT48239298598393300000 is supposed to be top dog, supercharged, turbocharged, high revving NA or whatever. It's just a name. If we want to really look at lineage, the first GT500 was NA.

As a hypothetical, if the current GT350 was GT500 and there was a car in between the GT PP and the GT350 and THAT was called a "GT350" I'm sure you wouldn't think anything of it.

Twin Turbo said:

That's underselling the SN95 Mach 1, somewhat. The GT sported a 2v 260hp V8 whilst the Mach 1 used the 4v 305hp V8

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Yeah, you're right. While I was in love with Mustangs during the SN95 days, I didn't have one.

JR

mvfjet said:

It would bother the badge whores who just want to say Shelby Shelby Shelby Shelby. Either way us normal people won't be able to get one.

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That's why the Mach 1 was such a scandal...

You could get all the juice of a Cobra without the squeeze..and it looked cooler.

nastang87xx said:

I think people get too wrapped up with names and trying to "rank" them as if a certain derivative architecture isn't worthy or doesn't make sense. As if Mach 1, Cobra, GT350, GT390, GT500, GT48239298598393300000 is supposed to be top dog, supercharged, turbocharged, high revving NA or whatever. It's just a name. If we want to really look at lineage, the first GT500 was NA.

As a hypothetical, if the current GT350 was GT500 and there was a car in between the GT PP and the GT350 and THAT was called a "GT350" I'm sure you wouldn't think anything of it.

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It's not so much about following the lineage to a T, but doing so with what powerplants are available. The GT-500 traditionally uses Ford's top powerplant. Ford's current top powerplant is the 3.5HO; in 1967 it was the 428CJ. Both the original and current GT-350s were designed for road course readiness. The Mach 1 was originally basically an optioned out GT, more akin to the current GTPP, eventually actually replacing the GT. The latest Mach 1 was a step between the GT and Cobra/GT-500 slot car. The only car that would sensibly fill that slot would be the base GT-350, or a GT with a detuned version of the 3.5HO.