Why did Ford retain the 15-17 front/rear on 18-19 GT350s?

[Cobra Jet]

Unless I missed a thread with the explanation, for the 2018/19 GT350’s how come Ford did not update:

1) the front clip (bumper cover, headlights, hood and fenders)

2) the rear end (taillights, bumper cover and rear black deck lid panel)

but retained the 2015-2017 parts? I would have thought with the 2018 refresh that the Shelby line would have been updated as well.

Was there excessive 2015-2017 parts leftover and Design, Manufacturing and Assembly just decided to burn off those parts?

Anyone know?

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[H@mmer]

I have a feeling it's because they didn't want to invest the money to change the tooling on a low volume vehicle.
Also, my understanding is a big driver towards the '18 refresh was to meet some updated European crash/pedestrian standards. Since the '350 is not sold in Europe, it was not necessary to update it.

 

[kluke15]

cause they realized the 15-17 looks better

 

[H@mmer]

cause they realized the 15-17 looks better

As someone who owns both, they both have their pros/cons.
From certain angles the S550.1 looks more aggressive, from certain angles the .2 looks more aggressive.
The rear is objectively better.

 

[kluke15]

As someone who owns both, they both have their pros/cons.
From certain angles the S550.1 looks more aggressive, from certain angles the .2 looks more aggressive.
The rear is objectively better.

i just cant get over the updated front. rear is fine on new model but i hate the vents and lower hood line at least from a looks standpoint. havent driven one so i cant tell from inside if its better or not i just dont think it holds up to the 15-17 in person

 

[thehunterooo]

The front of the GT350 uses different parts which are different than the 15-17 and 18+. So it would take redesigning, money, etc to update it then the car may only be around for another year or so depending on rather or not they sell it with the GT500 so it doesn't make sense to do it. Then it would be weird to just change out some things like the taillights otherwise.

 

[Fatguy]

cause they realized the 15-17 looks better

If the refresh was clearly a winner it would probably make sense change. But it’s mixed. After all this time I still prefer the old style. I like the straight tribars and not the bent bars. I also like the shark front end and the hood creases that move straight back in the original design. Look at the models for the next generation. Straight tribars again and hood creases all the way back.

Bottom line is if there is doubt - do nothing...

Or maybe they are just using up old stock...

 

[Grintch]

The front of the GT350 uses different parts which are different than the 15-17 and 18+. So it would take redesigning, money, etc to update it then the car may only be around for another year or so depending on rather or not they sell it with the GT500 so it doesn't make sense to do it. Then it would be weird to just change out some things like the taillights otherwise.

Right. Expect updated bodywork when the GT500 is released.

 

[68fbjjz109]

Unless I missed a thread with the explanation, for the 2018/19 GT350’s how come Ford did not update:

1) the front clip (bumper cover, headlights, hood and fenders)

2) the rear end (taillights, bumper cover and rear black deck lid panel)

but retained the 2015-2017 parts? I would have thought with the 2018 refresh that the Shelby line would have been updated as well.

Was there excessive 2015-2017 parts leftover and Design, Manufacturing and Assembly just decided to burn off those parts?

Anyone know?

Its hard to know for sure unless someone from the Mustang team comments.

However aside from the lights, most of the GT350 components from the A pillar forward are unique. It's volume hasn't exceed tool life. So from a cost perspective it absolutely makes sense.

It would look odd to use the LED tail lights with non LED headlamps, and as far as the bumper cover and decklid it only makes the car more unique. More than likely they forecasted what they needed and ran parts when their 15-17 tools where up and running for the 18/19 GT350s. However those could be built to order, so I could be wrong.

Personally I like the 15-17 front end better, so I have zero heartburn over the 18/19 Shelbys not changing.

 

[H@mmer]

It already has LED taillights lol

 

[d4rk_hrs]

I always thought the front-end refresh was to change the slope of the hood to prevent it from lifting at speed like the 15-17 suffers.

 

[rvlyssup]

If it ain't broke, why fix it.

The unique aero on the current Shelbys work...I for one am glad FORD did not mess with it.

 

[68fbjjz109]

I always thought the front-end refresh was to change the slope of the hood to prevent it from lifting at speed like the 15-17 suffers.

There are a series of aero/thermoaero improvements on the GT350s.

 

[galaxy]

cause they realized the 15-17 looks better

This, this, and this! In a twist of fate however, I'm rather glad it did change. For unexplainable reasons, I had it in my head that a 350 was out of my league (a story for over a beer) and was going to get a GT. When the '18 front end came out, I knew right away I didn't like it and didn't want it; it forced me into looking at options. And the rest as they say is history.

 

[Demonic]

As others said, the GT350/R bodywork paneling from the A-pillar forward is different from the Mustang. The parts aren't interchangeable, so redesigning it would mean having to do a separate redesign just for the GT350.

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